2022届江苏省南通、泰州、淮安、镇江、宿迁高三下学期2月模拟考试（南通一模）英语含答案+听力练习题

2022届高三年级模拟试卷(南通)

英　　语

本试卷分四个部分。满分150分，考试用时120分钟。

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。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 woman probably buy for her apartment?

A. A table.    B. A sofa.    C. Some chairs.

(　　)2. How does the music make the man feel?

A. Touched.    B. Brave.    C. Tough.

(　　)3. What is the man asking the woman to do?

A. Improve her service.    　　　　B. Update their website.

C. Answer a few questions online.

(　　)4. When will the man play badminton?

A. On Monday afternoon.    　　　　B. On Tuesday morning.

C. On Tuesday afternoon.

(　　)5. What is the main topic of the conversation?

A. Future plans.    B. Charity work.    C. A graduation ceremony.

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、7题。

(　　)6. What's the matter with the man?

A. He lost his keys.    　　　　B. He couldn't find his way.

C. He forgot the time of the exhibition.

(　　)7. Where are the speakers probably?

A. On the street.    B. In a museum.    C. In a town hall.

听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。

(　　)8. What has Richard done for Liz?

A. He has booked her a flight.    　　　　B. He has driven her to the airport.

C. He has arranged a holiday for her.

(　　)9. What concerns Richard about flying?

A. The safety of planes.    　　　　B. The high cost of tickets.

C. The effect on the environment.

(　　)10. What does Liz promise to do?

A. Talk to her bosses about online meeting.

B. Send the man a message after landing.

C. Stop travelling by plane from now on.

听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。

(　　)11. Which language learning app does the woman prefer?

A. Babbel.    B. Busuu.    C. Duolingo.

(　　)12. Why does the woman refuse to take a Japanese class?

A. It's not enjoyable.    　　　　B. There aren't any classes nearby.

C. She doesn't have enough money to pay for it.

(　　)13. What is the reason for the woman to learn Japanese?

A. To work in Japan.    　　　　B. To make more Japanese friends.

C. To speak with her friend's mother.

听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。

(　　)14. Where do the plants in the man's bathroom naturally grow?

A. Near waterfalls.    B. In jungles.    C. In the desert.

(　　)15. What is special about the man's favourite plant?

A. It needs little water.    B. It has white markings.    C. It is poisonous to cats.

(　　)16. What is the probable relationship between the speakers?

A. Friends.    B. Brother and sister.    C. Gardener and visitor.

(　　)17. What is the woman's main concern in choosing her first plant?

A. It must be cheap.    　　　　B. It must be easy to care for.

C. It must be safe for her pets.

听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。

(　　)18. What was Abbie doing when she discovered the bottle?

A. She was helping to clean up a beach.

B. She was studying in the science club.

C. She was celebrating Father's Day with her family.

(　　)19. What's in the bottle found by Abbie?

A. A drawing.    B. A contact form.    C. A scientific paper.

(　　)20. How did the high school students feel about receiving the letter back?

A. Happy.    B. Curious.    C. Surprised.

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和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

A

A special place to stay can make a holiday—but also break the bank. We have picked new affordable places across Europe for 150 a room a night or less.

Scourie__Hotel

Doublesfrom129

OpenedOctober 2015

This hotel has been adored by fishing fans for generations. When the Campbell family bought it six years ago, they updated it with gentle, stylish furnishings. There's a string of spectacular beaches to discover, including the Scourie Bay with golden sand.

Ho36__Hotel

Doublesfrom109

OpenedDecember 2017

This hotel offers the rarest of things—ski accommodation that is both affordable and stylish. Guests can ski or snowboard from the front door. There are two lively bars with live music and regular DJ nights, a restaurant serving hearty Alpine meals and film nights.

Conscious__Hotel

Doublesfrom120

OpenedApril 2016

This fourth hotel by Dutch sustainable brand Conscious is the first powered entirely by wind. The restaurant is fully organic and the bedrooms simple with contemporary elements. The hotel overlooks the Westerpark, one of Amsterdam's biggest green spaces.

Dock__Hotel

Doublesfrom150

OpenedMay 2014

This large hotel on the Baltic coast is made from shipping containers. The industrial theme continues inside, with concrete walls, exposed pipes, and more containers. The hotel is 12 minutes' walk from the beach.

(　　)21. Which hotel best suits people who enjoy an active social life?

A. Scourie Hotel.    B. Ho36 Hotel.

C. Conscious Hotel.    D. Dock Hotel.

(　　)22. What is special about Conscious Hotel?

A. It is old­fashioned.    B. It has the longest history.

C. It is environment­friendly.    D. It offers the biggest green space.

(　　)23. What can the guests of Scourie Hotel and Dock Hotel do?

A. Update the furniture.    B. Walk on the beach.

C. Appreciate architecture.    D. Visit industrial fairs.

B

Laurie Horam never thought of himself as musical. At home, his dad never listened to music, while one of his boarding school teachers labelled him tone deaf. But last month he started to play the harmonica(口琴) on the streets of Bradford. People clapped, danced and threw coins into his case for the local food bank. Horam caught himself thinking：“How, at the age of 79, do I come to be playing music to people on the streets？”

The question preoccupied him, because, some years ago at a family gathering, Gavin, his eldest son, said: “You know what, Dad? It can't be coincidental. We must have got our musical abilities from you.” Horam has three sons and they cover a range of instruments. He was surprised. “There can't be music in me, because I can't play！” he said.

Eight years ago, Horam, a retired civil servant, was on his way back from a trip with his family. Gavin stopped at a music shop. He walked out and said: “Here you are. I bought this for you, Dad. It's a harmonica. I'll try to show you how to play a bit.”

They went to a session at their local pub. Gavin played the guitar and Horam sat in the corner with his harmonica, trying to make a sound that no one would hear. After six months, he was invited into the group. He discovered a talent for improvisation(即兴表演), responding to a note within a millisecond without batting an eyelid. “I don't play by ear. I play by heart.” Actually, Horam says: “My harmonica plays me—how I feel, what I am, what I've been.”

Music has enriched life with friendship and made Horam feel “part of something much bigger” than himself. “At a time when the circle of life might be shrinking, mine is expanding，” he says. “Maybe we never know completely who we are or what we can do.”

(　　)24. Why did Horam play the harmonica on the streets of Bradford?

A. To recall the good old days.    B. To beg food from passers­by.

C. To live his childhood dream.    D. To collect money for charity.

(　　)25. What is Gavin's attitude to his father's musical ability?

A. Positive.    B. Disapproving.    C. Doubtful.    D. Unclear.

(　　)26. What does playing the harmonica allow Horam to do?

A. Enjoy the quiet.    B. Listen to his heart.

C. Express himself.    D. Sharpen his hearing.

(　　)27. What does music bring to Horam?

A. A lost soul.    B. A comfortable life.

C. A broader circle of life.    D. A new perception of family.

C

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without mountains of wrapping paper covering the floor on 25 December. Or would it?

A rise in interest in crafting(手工艺), coupled with a greater awareness of the environment under lockdown, has led to an increase in interest in furoshiki—the Japanese art of fabric wrapping—this year.

Furoshiki are traditional Japanese cloths used to transport food, clothes or gifts. They are increasingly being accepted by shoppers as an alternative to paper. The cloths are easy to use: gifts are placed in the centre of the fabric, which is then tucked(卷起) around the object and fastened with a knot(结).

Because fabric is so much more malleable(可塑的) than wrapping paper, it can be used to make even the most awkward­shaped gifts look professionally wrapped. The Covid­19 pandemic(大流行病) has brought the environment into a new focus for people, causing people all to make more environmentally conscious decisions around what we buy.

Part of the appeal of fabric wrapping is that it is a present in itself. The receiver can not only enjoy a beautifully wrapped gift but can then reuse the cloth to give a gift of their own.

Some customers use their cloth within family or friendship circles, so that it eventually makes its way back to them. There's a certain magic and tradition in passing it from person to person.

Then there's the rising interest in craft. Fabric wrapping is often handmade. Compared to standard wrapping paper, fabric wrapping offers more chances to experiment with different folding techniques and the way it lends itself to botanical decoration. There is a huge appetite for people wanting to learn new craft skills and perhaps create their own gifts for friends and family.

The practice of using furoshiki became widespread during Japan's Edo period(1603－1868), when people bundled(捆) their clothes in fabric while visiting public baths. The custom was generally the preserve of older people in Japan, but younger generations are getting on board as a result of the pandemic. They have started to reconsider their ways of life.

(　　)28. Which of the following can best describe furoshiki?

A. Sustainable.    B. Wasteful.

C. Complex to knot.    D. Awkward to carry.

(　　)29. What is the advantage of furoshiki over standard wrapping paper?

A. It has less human touch.    B. It improves gardening skills.

C. It stimulates appetite for food.    D. It offers more space for creativity.

(　　)30. Why does furoshiki begin to be accepted by younger people?

A. It has a long family tradition.    B. Pandemic promotes green rethink.

C. Public baths are gaining popularity.    D. It's their turn to preserve the custom.

(　　)31. What is the text mainly about?

A. The history of furoshiki.

B. The benefits of furoshiki.

C. Ways to wrap a gift with furoshiki.

D. Reasons for a growing interest in furoshiki.

D

Dozens of honey bees, which usually feed on wild flowers after leaving their hives(蜂房) in the campus gardens, were tricked into the cottage to feed from an artificial flower. Only one bee was allowed in at a time, and their visits to artificial flowers were videoed and timed under different fan speeds, which mimicked(模拟) calm and windy days.

But the researchers are trying to help them: it is a controlled experiment that reveals how high wind speeds significantly reduce the efficiency of their feeding.

With no wind, the bees on average took nectar(花蜜) from 5.45 flowers during their 90­second time trial. When wind speeds were increased, this fell to an average of 3.73 flowers.

Researchers also examined the indirect impact of higher winds by moving the flowers.

The findings reveal that, while flower movement did not appear to have an effect on the bees, the movement of air from the fans made them much more hesitant to take off from a flower, with time taken ranging from an initial 0.05 seconds to 54 seconds.

Georgia Hennessy, lead author of the research, said that one possible reason for the wind causing hesitancy was that small increases in wind speed reduced the bees' body temperature, so they require longer to warm up the flight muscles required to take off.

“With wind speeds predicted to increase in the years ahead, understanding how we can help bees in a changing climate is becoming ever more pressing. Although we can't do much to control or stop the wind, we can take steps to reduce its impact on bees, such as placing hives in sheltered locations，” said Hennessy.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization warned last year that the decline in global bee populations was a “threat to global food security and diversity”．

Dave Goulson, professor of biology at the University of Sussex, said, “Bees already face many pressures in the modern world, such as loss of habitats and exposure to pesticides(杀虫剂), and a great many are in decline. Coping with increasingly windy weather under climate change may be the final straw.”

(　　)32. What task did the researchers set for the bees?

A. Identifying the new route.

B. Surviving in extreme conditions.

C. Feeding under different wind speeds.

D. Distinguishing various kinds of flowers.

(　　)33. What probably makes a bee hesitant to take off from a flower?

A. A full stomach.    B. Loss of balance.

C. Changed flower positions.    D. Reduced body temperature.

(　　)34. What can we do to reduce the impact of high winds on bees?

A. Stop the wind.    B. Restore their habitats.

C. Address climate change.    D. Prohibit the use of pesticides.

(　　)35. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text?

A. Loss of bees causes failure of food crops

B. Bees are on the decline as global heating worsens

C. Bees may struggle in winds caused by global warming

D. Artificial flowers are used for threatened bee populations

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。

Every day, a lot of people move house. With a newfound appreciation for space and air, it may suddenly have seemed as if a new kind of life was possible. __36__ Here's some expert advice on how to build a new community.

__37__

Ask people you already know if they could introduce you to anyone in the location to which you are moving. Posting on social media is probably the easiest way to tap your friends' friends. It increases the chance that there's someone you will get along with.

Don't expect friends to magically appear

__38__ People really need to take the initiative to go out there and meet people and not assume that friends are just going to fall into their lives. As people become familiar to us, we like them more, and it's completely unconscious.

Be open to a broader range of people

You have spent a lifetime narrowing your social circle to those you really care about, but chances are you're not going to meet new best friends in your new area instantly.When it comes to friendships, having close friends is one of the best things we can do for our health and wellbeing. But even having brief interactions with people in general benefits us. __39__

Don't despair

Remember to maintain pre­existing friendships, so that you're not feeling lonely and disconnected while developing new relationships. __40__ But people don't realize that if they put themselves out there, the process can go faster than they think. It really makes a difference if you're willing to attend different events; you can really change your social life.

A. Make a public appeal.

B. Put some work in before you move.

C. Quality is best, but quantity still does something.

D. It can take a long time to build up new friendships.

E. But now the pandemic has made it harder to connect with strangers.

F. It doesn't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision in moving.

G. We tend to think friendships happen naturally and that's a huge misconception.

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。

After ten years in the same company, I found my job was no longer fun. However, I didn't have the confidence to apply for new jobs due to lack of experience. I felt __41__．

A friend suggested another path—__42__. I had toyed with the idea of studying for a master's degree but __43__ stood in my way. Yet I found a course at London College of Communication, __44__ my job and enrolled(入学).

During the 18 months that followed, I began to flourish(茁壮成长). Not only had I found the courage to take my __45__ forward in a new, exciting direction, but the self­doubt that had followed me around like a __46__ began to disappear gradually. My classmates and I treated each other as __47__： younger students __48__ my experience and knowledge when it came to group work. I made new friends and joined committees.

I also decided to move out of home. Living in student halls was a(n) __49__. The halls life added to my sense of __50__ and, with it, confidence. I was __51__ new things every day. Even making myself a meal or __52__ my small living space felt rewarding.

Soon after completing my master's, I made my way back through the university gates—this time to __53__. I am now a lecturer on the same course that I took. I __54__ the person I was before and smile—she didn't yet know her __55__．

(　　)41. A. guilty    B. stuck    C. relieved    D. shallow

(　　)42. A. communication    B. management    C. education    D. employment

(　　)43. A. self­doubt    B. poverty    C. health    D. marriage

(　　)44. A. lost    B. did    C. quit    D. switched

(　　)45. A. wealth    B. interest    C. belief    D. life

(　　)46. A. shadow    B. fire    C. dream    D. rainbow

(　　)47. A. opponents    B. equals    C. strangers    D. servants

(　　)48. A. valued    B. questioned    C. ignored    D. polished

(　　)49. A. embarrassment    B. experience    C. mess    D. failure

(　　)50. A. freedom    B. safety    C. justice    D. independence

(　　)51. A. copying    B. missing    C. learning    D. ordering

(　　)52. A. expanding    B. occupying    C. deserting    D. managing

(　　)53. A. visit    B. teach    C. exercise    D. interview

(　　)54. A. look back on    B. keep away from    C. catch up with    D. hold on to

(　　)55. A. image    B. worth    C. duty    D. career

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。

Tibet was a region I was desperate to see, __56__ its remoteness and my inability to go delayed my journey. Last summer, my brother and I finally decided to take the trip.

We set off at the Guangzhou train station and three days later, we arrived in Lhasa. The trip certainly took a while; however, we __57__(reward) with the most beautiful views and made friends along the way, all at a __58__(low) cost than flying.

We started our tour of Lhasa watching pilgrims(朝圣者) doing their morning prayers, __59__(comprehensive) exploring the palace. We had an incredible lunch at one of the best restaurants in Lhasa, __60__ offered a beautiful view overlooking the Jokhang Temple.

Then we started our journey to the Qomolangma base camp __61__ road from Lhasa. Along the way we stopped __62__(admire) the Yamdrok Lake. Its beauty was beyond __63__(describe).

About a week later, we arrived. We stayed in a guesthouse just next to the base camp and after dropping off our luggage, __64__(head) straight outside to see the Mt. Qomolangma. The tip of the mountain emerged through the clouds, __65__(astonish) us with its unbelievable height. The clouds parted and we watched the sunset over the peak.

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，请给你的英国笔友William写一封信，分享北京冬奥会的精彩瞬间。内容包括：

1. 询问近况；

2. 你印象最深刻的片断；

3. 你当时的感想。

注意：1. 词数80左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear William，

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Yours，

Li Hua

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。

One afternoon after school, Mary and her brother, Keith, were eating at a cafe near their home. That afternoon, they had to share their table with another person. That person was a young lady in her twenties. After eating, she went to the restroom. Without realizing, she had left her handphone on the table. Five minutes later, she came out and walked out of the cafe without looking back.

Mary saw the handphone on the table. She quickly told Keith, “Keith, the girl left behind her handphone.”

Keith looked at the handphone. It took his breath away. It was one of the latest models on the market. Keith had always wanted a handphone. But his parents had told him, “You don't need one. You can always use the house phone.”

He stared at it for some minutes. Then he said slowly, pausing on every word, “I want to take the handphone.”

Mary could not believe her ears. She merely stared at her brother. “You can't! What if the owner comes to look for it？”

Having made the decision，Keith quickly grabbed the handphone and put it in his schoolbag. Then, he took Mary's hand and led her out of the cafe quickly.

Once back home, Keith locked his house door with trembling hands. Inside his room, he took out the piece of beauty. Oh, he liked it so much. Now he had his own handphone. Soon, he was polishing it happily.

But Mary told him, “Keith, you cannot keep the handphone. What will you tell Father about this? He will ask you how you got the handphone.”

Keith said quickly, “I will say a friend lent it to me.”

Mary said, “Now you are lying too.” Oh dear! When had Keith turned so dishonest?

Then Mary saw a house phone number on the plastic cover of the handphone. “This is the girl's phone number. Why don't we just call this number? We will talk to her and ask her to come and take back her handphone.” She was trying to talk some sense into him.

注意：

1. 续写词数应为150左右；

2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。

That night, Keith turned over in bed from time to time.________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Mary was very happy to hear that.________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2022届高三年级模拟试卷(南通)

英语参考答案及听力材料

第一部分　听力

1～5　BACCA　6～10　BABCA　11～15　BCCAB　16～20　BCCBA

第二部分　阅读

第一节

21～23　BCB　24～27　DACC　28～31　ADBD　32～35　CDCC

第二节

36～40　EBGCD

第三部分　语言运用

第一节

41～45　BCACD　46～50　ABABD　51～55　CDBAB

第二节

56. but/yet　57. were rewarded　58. lower　59. comprehensively　60. which　61. by　62. to admire　63. description　64. headed　65. astonishing

第四部分　写作

第一节

Dear William，

Have you watched the Beijing Winter Olympic Games recently? I'm writing to share with you something exciting.

I was amazed at a lot of exciting moments, among which a freestyle skiing player's perfect skills and quick mind left the deepest impression on me. She was weaving through the snow with ease when suddenly she almost lost control. But in the blink of an eye, she stopped her skid and rocketed through the rest of her run.

Seeing this, I couldn't help wondering how she had been going to great lengths to give such a fantastic performance.

Yours，

Li Hua

第二节

Thatnight, Keithturnedoverinbedfromtimetotime. He had difficulty sleeping, uncertain about what he should do. Of course, he liked the new handphone. However, he was feeling sorry for the owner. When he thought how sad the young lady would be at the loss of her handphone, he was full of guilt and shame. The next morning, after a long and restless night, he was determined to return the handphone to the owner. After school, he told Mary, “I am going to phone the owner.”

Marywasveryhappytohearthat. Back home, they phoned the owner's house phone. A girl answered the phone. Kevin asked, “Are you the owner of the handphone? I'm Keith. I have your handphone. Can you come and get it？” The girl replied ‘Yes’ excitedly, expressing her gratitude repeatedly. Ten minutes later, she was at the same cafe to meet Keith. Handing back the handphone to her and seeing her smile happily, Keith realized that honesty was indeed the best policy.

听力材料

Text 1

M: Do you have everything you need for your new apartment?

W: Almost. I have Mom and Dad's old dining table and chairs, and I'll probably buy a new sofa online. Thankfully, the apartment has space to store things.

Text 2

M: This is such a beautiful piece of music. It brings tears to my eyes.

W: It's very brave of you to admit that. Many men wouldn't.

M: It would take a tough heart not to be moved by it.

Text 3

M: Once you have finished, would you mind answering a few questions on our website about how satisfied you were with our service today?

W: Of course, you were excellent. You should get a raise for being so good to us.

Text 4

W: Would you like to play a game of badminton after school?

M: I can't play today. I have piano practice on Mondays, and tomorrow morning I'll do my part­time job. How about tomorrow afternoon?

W: OK, that's fine with me.

Text 5

W: So, you plan to start work after graduation?

M: That's right. I think I'm going to look for a position working at a charity organization.

W: Great! I want to help people, too. That's why I'm going on to medical school.

Text 6

M: Excuse me. I'm lost. I'm looking for the national museum. Could you tell me the way to it, please?

W: You're the third person who has asked me that today. Is something special happening there?

M: There's a Gustav Klimt exhibition there. He's very famous. Lots of people will want to go.

W: Really? I don't know much about art.

M: Give it a go. You'll enjoy it.

W: I might do that.

M: And the way?

W: Sorry?

M: The way to the national museum?

W: Oh, yes. Walk down towards the station and turn right at the town hall. You'll see it right in front of you.

Text 7

W: Thanks for driving me to the airport, Richard. You've saved me a lot of time.

M: That's OK, Liz—but do you ever think that you should fly less?

W: Why?

M: It's a well­known fact that planes lead to global warming.

W: I suppose you're right. Every time I book a flight, I do think about it. But this trip is for a business meeting, not a holiday.

M: Maybe future meetings could be done over the Internet. Lots of people do that these days.

W: It's something to think about. I'll try to talk to my bosses.

M: It would save money as well.

W: Of course. I get the message. Now, while I'm out of the country, can I get you anything for being so helpful?

M: No, that's fine. It's my pleasure.

Text 8

M: What are you up to?

W: Trying to learn some Japanese.

M: Wow, you're really working hard. Which phone app are you using?

W: It's called Busuu. I tried Duolingo, but I didn't like it. I also tried one called Babbel a while back, but gave it up after a few days.

M: Three different apps? Maybe phone apps aren't the best way for you to learn. Maybe you'd better go to proper classes or something?

W: Probably. There are a few nearby, but I just don't have that much money right now. This app is pretty good. I'm enjoying it.

M: Why Japanese, anyway? Are you planning to go to Japan for vacation, or something?

W: Hopefully, some day! But my best friend is Japanese American, and I'm going to meet his mother, when she visits in a few months. Obviously, she doesn't speak a word of English. I'd love to be able to hold a conversation with her.

Text 9

W: Wow, this is a jungle, not an apartment! So many plants!

M: It's crazy, I know. I just love to surround myself with nature. And it's good to have something to care for.

W: I guess I feel the same way about my cats. Doesn't it take ages to water them all?

M: They all have different needs. These desert plants need little water, but I have some in the bathroom that naturally grow around waterfalls. They need to be wet through all the time.

W: What's your favourite plant?

M: It's this huge one over here. This is my pride and joy. It cost me $200. See the white markings on its leaves? That's really unusual and that's why it's so expensive.

W: $200 for a plant？！

M: I know, I know! Don't tell Mom. She'll kill me! But that's a good price for this particular type. I've seen them sold for more than $300.

W: Well, I'd like to get a few houseplants too. What kind do you think I should start with? It mustn't be poisonous to cats, obviously.

M: Perhaps a Chinese money plant. They're easy to care for. Plus, they're cute!

W: Sounds good.

M: This is great—I'll take you shopping! Before you know it, you will be living in a jungle too!

Text 10

A “message in a bottle”， put into the sea by Japanese high school students almost forty years ago, has been found 6，000 miles away on the island of Hawaii.

Nine­year­old Abbie was celebrating Father's Day with her family at a beach when she made the discovery. Inside the bottle, she found a contact form written in Japanese, English and Portuguese, asking the finder to contact the senders at a high school in eastern Japan. The bottle was one of around 750 in 1984 by the school's natural science club. It was part of a project to help students learn about ocean currents(水流).

Abbie was very excited by her find. And soon she sent a message back, along with a drawing of her and her sister eating sushi.

Assistant principal of the high school was very surprised to receive Abbie's message. “The students were excited to receive the letter back，” he said.

And a founder of the science club said the find brought back a lot of nice memories of her school days. “I am very thankful to the girl who picked up the bottle and my old high school who organized this project，” she said.