2020－2021学年度第一学期期末学业水平诊断
高二英语
注意事项：
1. 答卷前，考生务必将自己的姓名、考生号等填写在答题卡和试卷指定位置上。
2. 回答选择题时，选出每小题答案后，用铅笔把答题卡上对应题目的答案标号涂黑。如需改动，用橡皮擦干净后，再选涂其他答案标号。回答非选择题时，将答案写在答题卡上，写在本试卷上无效。
3. 考试结束后，只交答题卡。
第一部分 听力 (共两节，满分30分)
做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上。
第一节 （共5小题；每小题1.5分，满分7.5分）
听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，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 man think of the dinner?
A. Good. B. Expensive. C. Cheap.
2. What does the man plan to do this afternoon?
A. Go to a movie.
B. Attend his classes.
C. Buy a new pair of glasses.
3. What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?
A. Husband and wife.
B. Boss and secretary.
C. Teacher and student.
4. What does the man mean?
A. He is Dr. Johnson.
B. The doctor will come soon.
C. He doesn’t know why she came here.
5. How much will the man pay?
A. 25 pence. B. 30 pence. C. 60 pence.
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，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，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。
13
听第6段材料，回答第6至7题。
6. How does the woman sound?
A. Happy. B. Upset. C. Curious.
7. What does the man invite the woman to eat?
A. Sandwiches. B. Fish. C. Salads.
听第7段材料，回答第8至9题。
8. What happened to the woman?
A. She lost the cleaner.
B. She damaged the fridge.
C. She couldn’t get on the Internet.
9. What did the robot do for the woman?
A. It repaired the computer.
B. It cleaned the outside windows.
C. It picked up the dirt in the room.
听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。
10. Why will the man’s sister come to his place?
A. For study. B. For work. C. For a holiday.
11. Where does the man work in the morning this summer?
A. At a university.
B. At a restaurant.
C. At a bookstore.
12. What is the woman learning?
A. French. B. Spanish. C. Japanese.
听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。
13. When will the man check in?
A. On September 5th. B. On September 7th. C. On September 8th.
14. What kind of rooms does the man book?
A. Two single rooms. B. Two double rooms. C. Three standard rooms.
15. How much does the man pay for the rooms in total?
A. $ 125. B. $ 150. C. $ 175.
16. What does the man want?
A. A pick-up service.
B. A morning call service.
C. The address of the hotel.
听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。
17. How old do teens become adults now in Japan?
A. 18. B. 20. C. 22.
18. What can 18-year-olds do from 2022?
13
A. Get married. B. Drink alcohol. C. Smoke cigarettes.
19. Why did Japan’s government pass the new law?
A. To reduce its pollution.
B. To develop its economy.
C. To change its retirement age.
20. What do young Japanese people care more about?
A. How to pay less tax.
B. How to enjoy health care payments.
C. How to celebrate Coming of Age Day.
第二部分 阅读（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A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
Feel like a family day trip outside London? Here are some of the best choices.
Harry Potter Studio
The Harry Potter Studio tour is one of the easiest day trips from London. Just read the directions on the website where you buy tickets and follow the crowds from the train to the bus. It is a unique experience. A walk through the studio allows families to appreciate every little detail that was put into the production of the Harry Potter movies from the costumes to the sets. Visitors can view the Potions Classroom, board the Hogwarts’ Express, and walk through the Dursley’s house.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the UK. It is surrounded by a river and gardens, making it a relaxing and peaceful place. Leeds Castle is open for self-guided tours, and there are kid-friendly shows. Leeds Castle has a wonderfully-designed maze (迷宫), which has a surprise at the center that will appeal to all ages, not just children looking for a place to play. Leeds Castle also has a big playground, one part of which is set aside for small kids while the other inspires teenagers in an old game of hide-and-seek.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is used by the current British royal family. This makes it the longest-occupied palace in Europe. Afraid that your young children might feel dull? Don’t worry. There is a kids’ audio tour available as well as an activity that features crafts (手工艺), coloring and dress-up for little ones. And in the summer months, parents will be happy to know that there is a place to get an ice cream for their kids centrally located in the castle complex (建筑群).
21. What can visitors do on the Harry Potter Studio tour?
A. Buy some costumes.
B. Ride on a special train.
C. See Harry Potter movies.
D. Study in the Potions Classroom.
13
22. What can we learn about Leeds Castle?
A. Visitors must go on a tour with a guide.
B. The gardens are meant for hide-and-seek.
C. Kids can have a fun time on the playground.
D. The maze is especially popular among grown-ups.
23. How might children like the trip to Windsor Castle?
A. Tiresome. B. Comfortable. C. Adventurous. D. Interesting.
B
A rat may seem like an unlikely candidate to receive a gold medal for bravery and devotion to duty. However, six-year-old African rat Magawa, which was honored with Britain’s highest animal award on September 25, 2020, is no ordinary rat. Over the past five years, the “HeroRAT” has saved hundreds of lives by detecting 39 landmines (地雷) and 28 unexploded items in Cambodia.
Landmines were used during wars to protect important areas such as borders, camps or bridges and to restrict the movement of opposing armies. But it became extremely difficult to remove the explosives once the conflicts ended. Today, over 60 million people in 59 countries live in daily fear of landmines.
Magawa is one of hundreds of HeroRATs that have been trained by an animal charity in Belgium to detect landmines since the 1990s. The charity, which teaches the animals by rewarding them with tasty food each time they smell out a landmine and send signals to the handlers, says the intelligent rats are ideal for the dangerous job. They are easy to train, and more importantly, light enough not to set off the hidden explosives even if they mistakenly walk over them. The rats, which use their sharp smelling skills to identify the chemicals in landmines, are also more efficient (有效) than human-held metal detectors.
Magawa, which has been working in Cambodia since 2016, is the charity’s most successful HeroRAT. In addition to being accurate, it can screen an area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes. This task would take a human with a metal detector up to 4 days! Over the past 4 years, the powerful animal has helped clear over 141,000 square meters of land, equal to 20 football fields.
Every discovery made by Magawa has reduced the risk of injury or death for local people. Hopefully, with brave detection animals like Magawa hard at work, the threats will soon be all removed.
24. What makes the rats the best choice for the dangerous job?
A. The rats’ weight and sense of smell.
B. The rats’ intelligence and experience.
C. The charity’s method of training the rats.
D. The delicious food for rewarding the rats.
25. What are the numbers in paragraph 4 used for?
A. Presenting the charity’s success.
B. Illustrating the rat’s natural talents.
C. Emphasizing the rat’s great efficiency.
D. Showing the inability of metal detectors.
26. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text?
13
A. Where Magawa is working now.
B. What the landmines were used for.
C. When Magawa began to be trained.
D. How the HeroRATs detect landmines.
27. What is the main idea of the text?
A. Landmines are difficult to remove for human beings.
B. Rats are cleverer than humans at discovering dangers.
C. Landmines present deadly threat to Cambodian people.
D. A rat receives a gold medal for its life-saving contributions.
C
Hip hop is a form of musical and artistic expression that started in urban (城市) areas in New York in the 1970s. The expression comes from joining together two words with special meanings. “Hip” means cool or current while “hop” refers to the style of dancing.
Kool Herc Campbell is considered very important in starting hip hop culture. He was from Jamaica and used the Jamaican tradition of poetry and speech over music. He started playing music and speaking poetry at outdoor basketball courts to give encouragement to the young dancers. This speech soon came to be known as “rapping”.
Then hip hop as a culture started to develop and spread throughout some areas of New York City. This culture featured graffiti (涂鸦) art as well as its own unique style and music. Artists and rap musicians came to consider hip hop as a new urban culture. As it grew in popularity, newspapers and magazines started reporting about it.
In the early 1980s, bands and musicians started experimenting with electronic instruments to make a new sound. Hip hop was starting to mature (成熟) as the art of making music in new ways spread. Rap artists also started to change their style. Many rappers talked about urban problems, showing their disappointment in drugs, unemployment, and unfair treatment by authorities such as the police.
Recently, hip hop has spread globally. In Europe, it has also become a way for many young people to express their anger at social problems and environmental issues. In many parts of Asia, hip hop has been adopted as a form of music for business, produced only with consumers in mind. Many people believe that this is not “real” hip hop music and argue that many countries have simply borrowed the “look” and “sound” of hip hop without really understanding the culture behind it.
28. Why does the writer introduce Kool Herc Campbell?
A. To inform us that he was the founder of hip hop.
B. To tell us how he became a world-famous singer.
C. To prove that he combined music with American poetry.
D. To explain why he inspired artists to explore urban culture.
29. What did the early U.S. hip hop culture focus on?
A. Solving urban problems.
B. Developing its unique style.
13
C. Spreading around the world.
D. Using advanced musical instruments.
30. What concerns the author as hip hop spreads globally?
A. The culture behind it has changed.
B. It can easily cause negative emotions.
C. It sounds totally different from its origin.
D. Some people use it for improper purposes.
31. What can be the best title for the text?
A. Hip Hop around the World
B. The Rise and Spread of Hip Hop
C. Hip Hop: The Most Popular Art Form
D. Kool Herc Campbell: The Father of Hip Hop
D
Faced with a declining population and workforce, Japan has been increasingly turning to robots for help. Over the years, the robots have carried out a large number of human tasks, including building products and providing care for the elderly.
However, the robots currently being used by companies, like Walmart and Amazon, are only able to perform single, repetitive tasks, such as stacking (堆积) boxes. Model-T, on the other hand, has a wider range of movement and is able to hold, pick and place objects of several different shapes and sizes into different locations, making it ideal for convenience and grocery stores, which sell a large variety of items.
Model-T robots are operated from a distant location by human “pilots” wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset and special gloves, which allow them to feel the product the robot is holding in their hands and guide it to the right shelf.
The VR-controlled robots are ten times cheaper than automated (自动的) robots, because they don’t require advanced programming and are easier to develop and maintain. And their easy-to-use controls require little training. Tomohiro Kano, a general manager in charge of development at FamilyMart, believes this will enable the chain to recruit (招聘) workers who would typically not work in stores.
Though Model-T appears to be getting rapidly through the experiments, it is not quite ready to enter the workforce. Besides being a lot slower than humans, it is also only able to lift packaged items, and cannot get hold of things such as fruits and vegetables. The company is working to improve the weaknesses and hopes to introduce a faster, more skillful Model-T within the next two years. They believe that in addition to the stores, the robots could also be useful in hospitals, allowing doctors to do operations from remote locations.
32. What is one of the features of Model-T according to the text?
A. It works much faster than humans.
B. It can easily hold all kinds of objects.
C. It can be operated from a distance away.
D. It is harder to produce than an automated robot.
13
33. What does the underlined word “this” in paragraph 4 refer to?
A. The low price of Model-T.
B. The easiness to operate Model-T.
C. The low-level programming of Model-T.
D. The strict training for maintaining Model-T.
34. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. Model-T is now being massively produced.
B. Japan’s workforce will be reduced by Model-T.
C. The weaknesses of Model-T have been overcome.
D. Model-T may be used in wider fields in the future.
35. In which section of a website can we read this text?
A. Technology. B. Economy. C. Lifestyle. D. Environment.
第二节 （共5小题；每小题2.5分，满分12.5分）
阅读下面短文，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。
Are you thinking about holidaying alone, but a bit concerned about the dangers? You needn’t worry if you consider these tips first.
1. Safety
Unless you positively invite danger — i.e. wandering around a dark park at 3 a.m. with headphones on — travelling alone isn’t actually that risky. 36 In the case of taking taxis, always keep a record of the plate number and ask for an estimated fare (车费) before setting off. You should also carry your ID card with you and always keep a back-up. And most importantly, ensure that someone else knows your route and keep in regular contact with them.
2. Plan
Being alone means you can’t use your partner’s phone when yours runs out of juice, or rely on them should you lose your wallet. 37 It’s a good idea to write down some key numbers of friends, hotels and emergency services beforehand, and keep some back-up money in your bag, just in case.
3. Eating
Many single travelers have a fear of eating alone. 38 You can bring a book to avoid boredom, sit at counters to be less noticeable or use the opportunity to practice your foreign language on a waiter.
4. Making friends
39 This is another common concern when travelling alone. In fact, acquiring new companions (伙伴) is easier than feared. You can smile at people, have open body language, read something interesting to start conversation, or ask strangers a question. All these help you look approachable. More hands-on tips include visiting bars, joining tours or using apps designed to help people make friends.
5. Enjoy it
Without having to consider others’ needs, the joy of solo travel is that you can be entirely selfish: walk
13
at your preferred pace, eat what and when you want, and go wherever you like to see the sights that interest you. 40 .
A. What if no one likes me on my trip?
B. The biggest danger is being taken for a ride.
C. It’s actually not so hard to get over your worry.
D. You needn’t get into a panic if this really happens.
E. However well you plan in advance, things will go wrong.
F. Just appreciate your independence and enjoy that freedom.
G. So put emergency systems in place before starting your trip.
第三部分 语言运用（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A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
After a whole day’s football practice with her three kids, Brittany felt worn out and decided to grab dinner from McDonald’s.
Wyatt was a teenager working at McDonald’s who took Brittany’s 41 . As Brittany pulled up to the drive-through window to 42 , her 4-year-old son began crying and the other two soon 43 , almost driving Brittany mad. And that was when it 44 Brittany that she’d left her purse at home.
“I wanted to cry,” Brittany recalled (回忆). “I looked at the young man with 45 eyes and said, ‘I’m so sorry but I have to 46 the order.’”
47 , Wyatt pulled out his wallet, swiped (刷) his card and paid for the 48 mom’s meal.
Wyatt probably couldn’t make much money from his job. Yet, he firmly 49 Brittany’s promises to pay him back later, 50 saying that it was no big deal.
Brittany was so grateful that she was determined to 51 Wyatt’s kindness in a big way! She discovered that Wyatt was saving up for a vehicle, so she shared the story on social media and started a 52 campaign to help him realize his dream.
Strangers from all over the country were inspired by the young man and 53 poured in. Before long, Brittany collected over $ 40,000! She was shocked. “I honestly didn’t expect such an incredible 54 ! Wyatt will now have enough money to buy a car and even start saving for college. So when you put 55 out in the world, it comes back to you more than you expect.”
41. A. opportunity B. order C. position D. advice
42. A. pay B. rest C. eat D. explain
43. A. stood out B. moved aside C. cooled down D. joined in
44. A. hit B. attacked C. reminded D. touched
45. A. curious B. cold C. tearful D. sharp
46. A. place B. cancel C. refuse D. change
47. A. In secret B. Out of respect C. Without hesitation D. By accident
48. A. responsible B. relieved C. elegant D. stressed
49. A. declined B. accepted C. considered D. appreciated
13
50. A. proudly B. humbly C. impatiently D. vividly
51. A. deserve B. express C. reward D. spread
52. A. brain-washing B. painstaking C. time-saving D. fundraising
53. A. letters B. supplies C. donations D. complaints
54. A. experience B. response C. arrangement D. behavior
55. A. good B. hope C. honesty D. passion
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。
South Koreans consume 2.4 billion plastic straws (吸管) annually. And like in many other countries, the government is stepping up to reduce the amount of single-use plastics.
The idea of Rice Straws came to Kim Kwang-pil when he first saw 56 eatable cup. He thought to himself, “If they can make a cup you can eat, why not a straw?”
That was the beginning of Kim’s company, Yeonjigonji, 57 produces eco-friendly straws 58 (make) of rice. Kim settled on rice mainly 59 it is familiar to consumers in his country. The rice straws come in various shapes and sizes and can 60 (complete) break down within 100 days.
“I met people who wouldn’t believe I could eat the straws. So, when I did, they 61 (convince),” said Kim.
So far the company 62 (sign) deals with companies in dozens of countries throughout Asia, North America and South America.
As they are eatable, the rice straws need to pass food safety laws in each country. But Kim believes that his straws are 63 (good) than paper or other straws. “After all, you still need to cut down trees 64 (produce) paper straws,” said Kim, whose next goal is to create environmentally-friendly, single-use cutlery (餐具), like forks, 65 (knife) and spoons.
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分）
第一节 （满分15分）
假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Tony来邮件说他对中国古建筑很感兴趣，希望有机会来中国参观。请你给他回复邮件，内容包括：
1. 推荐要参观的建筑及理由；
2. 提出参观建议；
3. 你的希望。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
Dear Tony,
Yours,
Li Hua
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
第二节
13
（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。
I was packed and ready to go skiing for the first time. It felt like I was about to take an adventure with the world at my feet. Feeling empowered, I knew something brilliant was going to come out of the trip. I was more than excited at the thought of spending an entire week with my best friend, Lindsay, hanging out and enjoying winter.
Early Monday morning my youth group boarded our bus for the ski trip. Once at the destination, we saw the skiers floating so easily and gracefully (优雅地) down the slopes (山坡). By the time I got my skis and boots, I was confident I’d be a fantastic skier. During the lessons, I mastered the art of skiing within 30 minutes. After spending most of the time practicing again and again on the run for beginners, we were able to fly down the hill by the end of the day. In the evening, we all felt extremely tired. Complaining about the pain our ski boots had caused, Lindsay and I decided we weren’t skiing the next day. Well, of course, our friends wouldn’t hear of that.
So, the next morning we found ourselves in line for the ski lift, which wound its way up the high mountain. Lindsay and I stared helplessly at each other, our eyes showing nothing but fear. After I got into the lift, I sat totally still on the chair with my eyes closely shut, not daring to look outside. The lift rose so fast that before I knew it, I had floated up the mountain. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself at the top in one piece. Thank goodness I was still alive!
Standing at the top of the long slope, with the skis pointing downward, I realized I was shaking. I glanced at Lindsay and found that she was scared too, for her poles kept tapping (敲打) rapidly against the sides of her boots.
Taking a deep breath and gathering all our courage, we gave each other an encouraging nod and both took off. At first I barely moved, but slowly I allowed myself to gain some speed. Soon I was shooting down the mountain with my heart beating wildly.
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。
Then a sharp turning suddenly came into view.
I was on the point of crying when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
13
2020－2021学年度第一学期期末学业水平诊断
高二英语参考答案
第一部分 听力（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
1－5 BCAAC 6－10 ABCBC 11－15 BCACC 16－20 ABABC
第二部分 阅读（共20小题；每小题2.5分，满分50分）
21－25 BCDAC 26－30 CDABD 31－35 BCBDA 36－40 BGCAF
第三部分 语言运用（共两节，满分30分）
第一节（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分）
41－45 BADAC 46－50 BCDAB 51－55 CDCBA
第二节（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）
56. an 57. which 58. made 59. because 60. completely
61. were convinced 62. has signed 63. better 64. to produce 65. knives
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分）
第一节 （满分15分） (One possible version)
Dear Tony,
Learning that you are fond of the ancient Chinese architecture, I strongly recommend the Forbidden City to you. Located in the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City has a history of over 600 years. It is the largest wooden royal palace in the world, where you can see various buildings and decorations featuring the splendid Chinese culture and reflecting the wisdom of ancient Chinese architects. To get a better knowledge of it, I suggest you make your tour with a professional guide.
I heartily hope you will come and visit the Forbidden City. I’m sure it won’t fail you.
Yours,
Li Hua
第二节 （满分25分） (One possible version)
Then a sharp turning suddenly came into view. I knew I had to stop, but I was moving too fast to control myself. I tried everything, but in vain. There was only one final option — falling over. After rolling for what felt like forever, I lay still, head dizzy. Worse still, my joints were painful and every muscle hurt. I knew there was no way I could keep going. When I struggled to my feet and brushed the snow off, the terrible truth hit me: I still had half the mountain to go!
I was on the point of crying when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Lindsay. “I have to quit,” I said hopelessly. Pointing to some skillful skiers, Lindsay said, “Look, they are skiing so easily. Come on, I believe we can make it, too.” Looking at her determined expression, I was instantly inspired and seconds later we were both skiing down the slope. Along the way there were a few more falls, but we were not defeated. At the bottom, I glanced up the mountain and felt a wave of gratitude and pride. Thanks to Lindsay’s encouragement, I had overcome my fears and learned to face challenges bravely.
13
附：高二听力录音材料
Text 1
W: I enjoyed my dinner very much. How was yours?
M: Better than expected. But for that price, it should have been good.
Text 2
W: I telephoned to see if you’d like to go to the movies this afternoon.
M: I’d love to, but I just broke my glasses and I have to get another pair before the shop closes.
Text 3
M: Nancy! I have been waiting for you for two hours.
W: Sorry, David. My boss asked me to work overtime.
M: But you should have called me for that.
Text 4
W: Excuse me. I was told I could find Dr. Johnson here.
M: And you have.
Text 5
W: Can I help you?
M: Yes, I’d like two pounds of oranges, please.
W: Do you want the ones at 20 pence, 25 pence or 30 pence?
M: The ones at 30 pence, please.
Text 6
W: I just had the greatest day.
M: Tell me about it.
W: I found a new restaurant near my office. And the sandwiches are very delicious. Nice and thick.
M: OK, then what? You said you had a great day.
W: I did. Great sandwiches, a great day.
M: Oh, I’d rather have my own home-made meals. OK, dinner is ready. Come and taste the most delicious fish.
Text 7
W: What a day! First, I forgot to put the chicken into the fridge.
M: What happened?
W: I found it went bad when I prepared my lunch. Then I tried to use my computer, but I couldn’t get a Wi-Fi signal.
M: Oh, no!
W: After that, I tried to use the cleaner.
M: Let me guess. It didn’t pick up the dirt.
W: Worse! It spread dirt around the room instead of picking it up.
M: Did you have your robot help?
W: Of course. It helped me clean the outside windows.
M: That’s really amazing!
Text 8
W: Are you staying by yourself again this summer vacation?
M: No, I’m not. My brother and sister are staying with me right now.
W: Really? What are they doing this summer?
M: Well, my sister is on vacation now. She has always wanted to come and visit the city.
W: What about your brother?
M: He has a part-time job at the university.
13
W: And do you have anything special to do?
M: Nothing special. I work as a waiter in a restaurant in the morning. And in the afternoon, I read books bought from a bookstore days ago. What about you, Jane? Are you in school this summer?
W: Yes, I am.
M: Oh, are you taking French and Spanish again?
W: Well, I’m not taking them, but I’m starting Japanese.
M: Really? That’s exciting.
Text 9
W: Good morning, Hilton Hotel. Can I help you?
M: Can I book some rooms?
W: May I know how many rooms you need and when you need them?
M: Three rooms for three nights. We’ll arrive on September 5th and depart on September 8th.
W: What type of rooms would you prefer?
M: I just want two double rooms and a single room.
W: Sorry, it is the busy season; all the single rooms are fully booked.
M: In this case, three standard rooms are just OK. And how much are the rooms?
W: It’s $ 150 plus $ 10 service charge, and $ 15 tax.
M: Fine, please book the rooms for me. I’m Kay Green. By the way, would you please offer an airport pick-up service?
W: Of course, please tell me your flight number and arrival time.
M: Flight No. 840, 7:10 in the morning, September 5th.
W: I’ve written them down. We are looking forward to your arrival.
Text 10
W: Japan’s government has passed laws to lower the age at which people become adults. It is the first time since 1876 that this has happened. From the year 2022, teenagers will become adults at the age of 18, which is two years earlier than the age at which adulthood currently legally happens. However, even though the age has been lowered, there are still certain things that will not change. The legal age for drinking alcohol and smoking will remain fixed at 20. The new law will enable 18-year-olds to get married without the agreement of their parents, and allow them to apply for loans and credit cards.
The new law has been passed in an effort to bring about social and economic change in Japan. The government hopes to see an increase in the number of young people getting married and starting families. This will help to deal with the nation’s falling birth rate and ageing population. Greater financial freedoms could be a boost to the economy and provide more tax incomes. This is very important for a government struggling to deal with increasing retirement money and health care payments.
Many of Japan’s young people are more concerned about how the law will affect traditional Coming of Age Day. This is a national holiday held in January in which 20-year-olds dress up in traditional clothes to celebrate adulthood.
13
微信/支付宝扫码支付