2023届福建省厦门第一中学高三下学期五模英语试题

这是一份2023届福建省厦门第一中学高三下学期五模英语试题，共13页。试卷主要包含了5分, 满分7等内容，欢迎下载使用。
福建省厦门第一中学2023届高三毕业班模拟考试
英语试题
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 speakers do on Thursday?
A. Play football. B. Watch a movie. C. Go hiking.
2. What does the man want to do?
A. Place an order. B. Design a uniform. C. Form a team.
3. What is Sally's favorite city?
A. Paris. B. Madrid. C. Venice.
4. Where will the speakers go?
A. To a cafe. B. To a dessert shop. C. To a bookstore.
5. What relation is Mr. Gomez to the man?
A. His teacher. B. His client. C. His boss.
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 is the man doing?
A. Driving a car. B. Repairing a car. C. Borrowing a car.
7. How does the man sound in the end?
A. Confused. B. Hesitant. C. Confident
听第7段材料, 回答第8至10题。
8. What are the speakers discussing?
A. A job candidate. B. Anew workmate. C. Travel arrangements
9. How does Steven Johnson impress the man?
A. By his working experiences.
B. By his communication skills.
C. By his international background.
10. When will the speakers meet Steven Johnson?
A. Tomorrow B. Next week. C. The week after next.
听第8段材料, 回答第11至13题。
11. What will the man do on Monday?
A. Start a new position. B. Pack his belongings. C. Attend a meeting.
12. What is the man busy doing now?
A. Moving to his new office.
B. Checking off office supplies.
C. Preparing for a promotion campaign.
13. What does the woman offer to do?
A. Review an expense report.
B. Provide the man with supplies.
C. Arrange a company celebration.
听第9段材料, 回答第14至17题。
14. Where will the event take place?
A. At a coffee shop. B. At a music hall. C. At a park.
15. Why did the woman choose the location?
A. It's private. B. It's family friendly. C. It's requested by the charity.
16. What does the woman ask the man to do?
A. Organize some activities
B. Contribute some money.
C. Contact some bands.
17. What is the event's purpose?
A. To hear some live music.
B. To help an animal shelter.
C. To have some family fun.
听第10段材料, 回答第18至20题.
18. Why did the speaker learn Arabic?
A. She wanted to study in Cairo.
B. She was inspired by her teacher.
C. She became interested in the culture.
19. What is the biggest challenge for the speaker?
A. Suffering from culture shock.
B. Finding a hotel and accommodation.
C. Mastering written and spoken Arabic.
20. What excites the speaker most?
A. Being invited to a meal.
B. Shopping at a local market.
C. Getting to know the locals.
第二部分（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
Below is today's schedule for Pacific Science Center's programming. Daytime laser（激光）and planetarium（天文馆）shows are included in general admission tickets, but timed tickets are needed to enter the show. Please note: Planetarium shows have a limited number of tickets and sell out quickly. IMAX documentary and feature movies are not included and must be purchased separately.
TIMING
Live Science Shows: 15 minutes IMAX Documentary Movies: 45 minutes
Daytime Laser Shows:30 minutes Planetarium Shows: 40 minutes
SCHEDULE
Show
Time
Place
Ticket
Dinosaurs of Antarctica
1:00 pm
PACCAR Theater
IMAX Tickets Required
Preschool All Stars
10:30 am
Building 2, Planetarium
Included in General Admission Timed Tickets Required
Live Science Show
1:30 pm
Building 1, Live Science Stage
Included in General Admission
Laser
11:45 am
Laser Dome
Included in General Admission
Jukebox


Timed Tickets Required
GENERAL VISITOR POLICIES
◇Pacific Science Center is a tobacco-and e-cigarette-free zone, including all outdoor spaces.
◇While pets are not permitted inside Pacific Science Center, service animals are welcome. d
◇If you want to listen to music during your visit, we kindly ask that you use headphones.
◇Pacific Science Center reserves the right to refuse entry for ticket holders more than 15 minutes late for their exhibition entry time without refunds.
◇All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
◇All exchanges must be processed at least 24 hours before the time and date of the event or reservation.
21. Where can visitors learn something about a prehistoric animal?
A. In Laser Dome. B. In Building 2, Planetarium.
C. In PACCAR Theater. D. In Building 1, Live Science Stage.
22. When will Live Science Show end?
A. At 11: 45 am. B. At 1:30 pm. C. At 1:45 pm. D. At 2:15 pm.
23. What is allowed in Pacific Science Center?
A. Refunding the ticket. B. Bringing a service dog.
C. Entering half an hour late. D. Smoking in outdoor areas.
B
"To repair ancient books, we have a lot to do,” says Song Jing, 34, who has been working in the restoration division for ancient books at the National Library of China in Beijing for eight years. Before starting a restoration project, Song and her colleagues have to evaluate the subject to consider what problems can be solved through restoration and those that cannot. Fearing the chemicals in commercially produced pastes（胶水）might harm the books, they have to make the glues they need by themselves, starting from removing starch（淀粉）from flour.
"The restoration also requires high levels of control in brushing the paper. If the pressure is not properly controlled during the brushing process, the paper may tear, but if the touch is too light, the paper won't stick," Song explains. Song was determined to join the field from an early age. As a child, she was attracted by documentaries about the world's cultural relics and became deeply interested in the art of artifact restoration.
In senior middle school, those earlier experiences helped her set her sights on becoming a master restorer of ancient books.
There were not many schools offering cultural-relic restoration courses back then, and her dream destination, Peking University, only offered openings every other year.
As Song looked into undergraduate curricula（本科课程）arrangement for that particular field of study, she found it was mostly related to chemistry. Therefore, she chose to start a chemistry degree at Fudan University in Shanghai in 2008. In her spare time, she continued to read up on cultural relics and study how museums operate.
"I got to learn how certain aspects of chemistry are going a long way in restoring cultural relics," she says.
After graduating from Fudan, she was accepted as a master's candidate to the cultural heritage preservation program at Peking University. From then on, she has been on a mission to make her dreams a reality.
24. What will ruin a restoration work?
A. Brushing the paper. B. Man-made glue.
C. Removing starch. D. Incorrect assessment.
25. Which of the following best describes Song's job?
A. Demanding and Boring. B. Complex and challenging.
C. Complicated and Dangerous. D. Entertaining and profitable.
26. Why did Song study chemistry at Fudan University in 2008?
A. She didn't reach the requirement of Peking University.
B. Only Fudan University offered her favorite course.
C. She wanted to be better prepared for her dream occupation.
D. Her interest had shifted from book restoration to chemistry.
27. What can we learn from Song's story?
A. History mirrors future. B. Courage is the key to achievements.
C. Education breaks down barriers. D. Commitment and hard work pay off.
C
Adapting to technological advances is a defining part of the 21st-century life. Just two months after being launched in November 2022, OpenAI's ChatGPT has already reached an audience of over 100 million people. While ChatGPT threatens to change writing and writing-related work, the Mesopotamians, who lived 4, 000 years ago in a geographical area centered in modern-day Iraq, went through this kind of far-reaching change before us.
Ancient Mesopotamia was home to many of civilization's early developments. Its people were world leaders in adapting to technological and cultural changes. They invented the wheel and agriculture, and pioneered advances in mathematics and urbanization. These breakthroughs are reflected in cuneiform（楔形文字）literature, one of the oldest known forms of writing.
In its literature, Mesopotamians don't present cultural and technological advances as consistently beneficial. They often represent new technologies being controlled in the service of human conflict and mostly serving the interests of those with high social positions. In some ways, the representation of new technologies in its literature echoes（映现）contemporary concerns about AI: fears of increasing social inequalities and its potential use in information war.
In recent years, AI—the newest form of writing—has been used to decipher（破译）the oldest: cuneiform literature. In broader fields, the boundaries of how AI may be used haven't been clearly explained. In January, for example, a top international AI conference banned the use of AI tools for writing scientific papers.
Humans have been struggling to invent, use and adapt to technology since our earliest civilizations. But the technology and resulting knowledge are not always evenly distributed. Knowing how we adapted to changing technology in the past helps us more fully understand the human condition and may even help us prepare for the future.
28. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about concerning Mesopotamians?
A. Their adaptation to threats. B. Their influences on writing.
C. Their contribution to literature. D. Their achievements in civilization.
29. What can be inferred about technological advances from paragraph 3?
A. They prevent human conflict. B. They bring about hidden dangers
C. They take away people's concerns. D. They lower people's social status.
30. What is the current situation of AI according to paragraph 4?
A. Its use in literature is popular. B. It is not allowed to finish papers.
C. Its range of application is undefined. D. It is not accepted in broader fields.
31. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?
A. How People Can Use the Latest Technology
B. How ChatGPT Will Threaten Writing and Work
C. What AI Will Do by Learning Cuneiform Literature
D. What History Can Teach Us About New Tech's Impact
D
Have you ever wished you could be better organised or more sociable? Perhaps you' re a constant worrier, and you'd prefer to be a little more carefree?
Many surveys show that at least two-thirds of people would like to change some elements of their personality. In the past, such desires appeared to be unachievable. Like the proverbial leopard that could never change its spots, our virtues and flaws were believed to be woven into the fabric of our minds.
Recent scientific research, however, proves this expectation of personality's permanence wrong. With the right psychological strategies and enough effort, many people can successfully shape their core personalities into what they desire.
Our genes almost certainly play a role: it's why people's personalities often reflect their biological parents' ones. The influence of our social environment was thought to end in early adulthood, as the brain reached maturity. If this were true, it wouldn't be possible to shift personality at will. Yet that is exactly what psychology professor Nathan Hudson and his colleagues have shown with a series of groundbreaking studies.
The interventions in their studies typically involve arranging regular activities that reflect the personalities people wish to adopt. A quiet person who wished to be more outgoing, for example, might have the goal of introducing themselves to a stranger once a week, or making small talk with the cashier at their local supermarket.
The aim is for the thinking patterns and behaviours they generate to become habitual. In the first trial, provided participants actually completed those arranged tasks, their personalities shifted in the desired direction. Similarly exciting results could be seen in a later trial. The differences of participants' personalities before and after the intervention were still apparent three months after the experiment had ended. As Aristotle argued more than 2, 300 years ago, we become what wed repeatedly do.
The unexpected plasticity of our minds should be good news for anyone who wishes they were a bit more sociable, organised, or happy-go-lucky. Another potential benefit is that awareness of this research could help improve mental health.
32. Why is "leopard" mentioned in paragraph 2?
A. To explain that our minds consist of virtues and flaws.
B. To show the similarity between leopards and human beings.
C. To prove a possibility that people can change their personality.
D. To demonstrate the previous belief that personalities remain fixed.
33. What can be inferred about the "interventions"?
A. The two trials reached different conclusions.
B. Activities are tailored to specific personalities.
C. The purpose is to better people's personalities.
D. People's personalities can be changed but can't last.
34. What has Nathan Hudson's team shown through their studies?
A. The previous expectation of personality's permanence was confirmed.
B. The influence of our social environment ends when the brain matures.
C. The desire to change some elements of our personality can be achieved.
D. Our genes play a greater role in our personality than social environment.
35. What is the best title for the text?
A. We Are What We Do B. Habits Make Things Easier
C. Your Personality Is Not Set In Stone D. A Leopard Never Changes Its Spots
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。
"Just think positively!”
"It could be worse."
"You should look at the bright side!"
We've all heard（and maybe used）these phrases without much thought. But they could be contributing to a culture of toxic（有毒的）positivity. For those new to this term, it might sound like an oxymoron（矛盾修辞法）. How can positivity be toxic? Isn't it supposed to be helpful, or "positive", as the name suggests? 36
"Toxic positivity is when somebody avoids all negative thoughts or feelings, pretending everything is going well when it is not, " explains Melissa Dowd, a therapist at Plush Care, a virtual health platform. Whitney Goodman, another licensed psychotherapist, describes toxic positivity as the "endless pressure to be happy and positive, no matter what the circumstances are." 37 It's also something we can cause other people to experience.
Toxic positivity causes us to suppress our emotions, which can make them worse. 38 "Although it can be helpful to look on the bright side when facing challenges," Dowd says, "not coping with negative feelings in a healthy way in the moment can lead to those feelings resurfacing later in different areas of your life or as a form of anxiety." 39 "If I feel like you're going to set me aside, I'm going to stop sharing how I'm feeling," Goodman adds.
40 If you're using toxic positivity against yourself, Goodman suggests remembering it's OK if you' re upset about something. It's valid if something annoys you. "Allow ourselves and other people to share when they're going through a difficult time," she says. Dowd adds that it's essential that we all learn to cope with and process our emotions in a healthy way as opposed to avoiding how we feel as life's stressors continue to rise. For example, instead of simply saying "Just think positively," we'd better say "Sometimes bad things happen. How can I help?"
A. Are there ways to avoid toxic positivity?
B. Toxic positivity also interrupts connection.
C. It can harm people who are going through difficult times.
D. Expressing toxic positivity to others may look like offering them a simple solution.
E. They become more intense and can also cause long-lasting health concerns in the future.
E. Experts say constant forced positivity can lead to the opposite, and have a negative effect.
G. This is what we may bring on to ourselves by not allowing negative thoughts and feelings.
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。
For Sara's family, decorating the yard was always a celebration for the New Year. This year Sara's father 41 colorful lights all round their roof. On New Year's Eve, light 42 the whole house. Everything seemed to be going fine until 43 struck: Sara's father passed away suddenly. Sara was 44 by great sadness. However, seeing the hanging lights, she was in a state of feeling happy, gaining a tiny thread of 45 .
The lights were the last 46 of her beloved father. Taking them down meant the 47 connection with her father would disappear, which she wasn't ready to accept. So she 48 them. One day in March, Sara received an 49 note in the mail: "Take your New Year's lights down!" She couldn't 50 her anger, and shared it with her story online. Messages of support 51 into Sara's inbox quickly. Besides, one day, Sara found that New Year's decorations 52 on houses in her neighborhood—her neighbors hung their lights back up in 53 of her father!
She never learned the sender's identity. But for her, that hurtful deed was far less 54 than so many acts of kindness. A few weeks later, Sara took down the decorations. "It was hard. But 55 all that support and love, it was not as hard as I thought."
41. A. strung B. purchased C. removed D. checked
42. A. caught B. enveloped C. exposed D. included
43. A. danger B. challenge C. misfortune D. fire
44. A. overcome B. frightened C. approached D. beaten
45. A. hope B. relief C. sadness D. anxiety
46. A. possessions B. inventions C. presents D. reminders
47. A. positive B. symbolic C. final D. private
48. A. preserved B. cleaned C. recovered D. replaced
49. A. unimportant B. unreliable C. unmarked D. unsigned
50. A. bring about B. hold back C. put aside D. go through
51. A. slid B. pressed C. flooded D. broke
52. A. updated B. reappeared C. faded D. increased
53. A. honour B. search C. defence D. support
54. A. influential B. possible C. helpful D. significant
55. A. regardless of B. more than C. due to D. apart from
第二节（共10小题; 每题1.5分, 满分15分）
阅读下面材料, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
The Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Aiqi Technology Yang Zhang has revived the Chinese cultural practice of using the mortise and tenon（榫卯）technique for construction which is on the edge of extinction.
He used the ancient mortise and tenon technique 56 （construct）the Turret of Palace Museum at a 1:81 miniscale. The choice of "Turret of Palace Museum" 57 the theme for the mini building block project 58 （base）on several factors.
59 （situate）in the Forbidden City of Beijing, this architectural treasure boasts the 60 （delicate）design and elegant shape among Chinese royal buildings. It was historically responsible for protecting the palace. The complex layout of the turret posed 61 unprecedented（史无前例的）technical challenge for Zhang and his team of designers and 62 （develop）. Unlike conventional building block toys, Zhang aimed to create a model made 63 （entire）of authentic mortise and tenon components. The entire process of design took nearly five years, with hundreds of design iterations and continuous adjustments.
The mortise and tenon technique, 64 is the primary construction method used in ancient Chinese architecture and represents the core of traditional Chinese woodworking, is gaining increasing 65 （recognize）among the public.
第四部分写作（共两节, 满分40分）
第一节 书面表达（满分15分）
最近, 某学校很多学生由于用眼过度或用眼不当, 视力下降很快。假如你是该校学生李华, 请你用英文向全校同学发起以“爱护眼睛”为主题的倡议书, 内容包括:
1. 用眼存在的问题;
2. 爱护眼睛的意义;
3. 建议并提出倡议。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为80 左右;
2. 请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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第二节 读后续写（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 terrified of heights. Of course, it was not really a fear of being in a high place. Rather, it was the view of a long way to fall, of rocks far below me and no firm wall between me and the edge. My sense of security was screamingly absent. I could rely only on my own sure-footedness.
Despite my fear, two summers ago I somehow found myself climbing to a high place, while quaking inside and out. Most of our high school had come along on a day trip to the Boquerón, a beautiful and pleasant spot in the foothills of Peru. Its chief attraction is the main waterfall, about 100 feet high, that thunders into a crystal clear pool feeding the Aguaytia River. All around the pool and on down to the rushing river are rocks large and small, The beach is strewn（布满）with rocks. On both sides of the fall, the jungle stretches to meet it, rising parallel to it on a gentler slope.
After eating our lunches, many of us wanted to make the climb to an area above it. We knew others had done so on previous trips. A few guys went first to make sure they were on the right path. But after they left, my group of seven decided to go ahead without waiting for them to return. I suspected we were going the wrong way, but I kept silent, figuring that the others knew better. We went along the base of the hill until we reached the climb. It stopped me in my tracks.
The climb rose steeply above us. Along the right edge, the jungle hugged the rocks; passage through its trees seemed unlikely to be achieved. The majority of my view was filled with rocks. Peering back down toward the river, I saw a steep slope of rocks all the way to the water. All I could think about was how far it would be to fall.
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。
My tense thoughts were interrupted by the realization that my friends were already beginning to climb!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
My friends kept right on climbing but they did not forget me.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
续写要求:
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。
My tense thoughts were interrupted by the realization that my friends were already beginning to climb! _____
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
My friends kept right on climbing but they did not forget me. ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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英语参考答案
听力1-5BACBC 6-10BCAAC 11-15AABAB 16-20CBBCA
阅读21-25CCBDB 26-30 CDDBC 31-35DDBCC 36-40 FGEBA
完形41-45ABCAB 46-50DCADB 51-55 CBADC
语法填空56. to construct 57. as 58. was based 59. Situated 60. most delicate
61. an 62. developers 63. entirely 64. which 65. recognition
第一节应用文
Dear fellow students,
Currently, many students suffer from poor eyesight due to excessive or improper use of eyes. Thus, I'm advocating “Protect Our Eyes”.
Eyes are the window to the soul. Protecting our eyes is crucial to our success in academic and personal life. Having good eyesight means we can not only see things clearly but also appreciate beautiful scenes better. Anyway, only when we form a good habit of protecting eyes, such as doing regular eye-exercises, reading in decent light and avoiding overusing electronic products can we really enjoy our life.
I call upon every student to join me in the activity "Protect our eyes". See well, live well. So don't hesitate to act at once!
Li Hua
第二节 读后续写
My tense thoughts were interrupted by the realization that my friends were already beginning to climb! My anxiety increased as I watched them. "Do I tum back?" My whole being shouted, "Yes!" "Will I regret it later? I really want to get to the top, but…” I voiced my uncertainties to my friends. They dismissed my fears and encouraged me to stick it out. Questioning my own ability, I decided at least to attempt the climb. I chose a path that seemed easiest with my friends ahead of me. When the path led up to an extremely narrow area, the difficulties increased, with one scary spot after another. My breathing sped up, and my heart pounded even faster, growing loud in my ears.
My friends kept right on climbing but they did not forget me. Someone was always behind me to help hold my feet steady when necessary, while someone else was ahead to offer a hand up. I trusted them more than myself. With friends supporting me by words and actions, I slowly gained ground. Finally we came to the toughest place. Once again I shrank when I peered back at the steep slope of rocks, "You can make it! We won't let you fall." My friends` assurances gave me the strength to go on. When my feet made contact with the solid rock on the top, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. I could feel all the fear draining out of me. I never felt so alive, and so thankful to my friends and for that life.
【导语】本文以人物为线索展开, 讲述了作者有恐高症, 但在一次去山里旅游的时候, 在朋友们的鼓励和帮助下, 作者最终登上了山顶克服了自己的恐高症。
1. 段落续写:
①由第一段首句内容“当我意识到我的朋友们已经开始攀登时, 我紧张的思绪被打断了!”可知, 第一段可描写作者在朋友的鼓励下, 决定尝试去攀登山峰。
②由第二段首句内容“我的朋友们继续攀爬, 但他们没有忘记我。”可知, 第二段可描写作者在朋友们的帮助下成功登上了山顶。
2. 续写线索: 决定去爬山——到达山脚下——犹豫——朋友们鼓励——开始攀登——朋友们帮助——成功登上山顶。
录音稿
（Text 1）
M: Hey, that new superhero movie is out this weekend! But we're going hiking. Maybe we can go during the week?
W: Okay. It's showing on Tuesday and Thursday.
M: Let's go on Thursday. I play football on Mondays and Tuesdays.
W: Perfect, let's do it!
（Text 2）
M: Good afternoon. I'm calling about ordering some uniforms for my baseball team.
W: OK. Do you have a design in mind? If not, you can use our website to view different styles. Then you can submit your order through the site, too.
（Text 3）
W: Jeremy, Europe is amazing!
M: Oh Sally, that's so cool. What's the best place that you went to?
W: It's hard to choose. I really love Paris and Madrid but it has to be Venice as the architecture is just breathtaking.
（Text 4）
W: Hey Tom! Are you going to the cafe downstairs to get a cup of coffee?
M: No, that's closed. I'm going to the dessert shop by the bookstore on the next street.
W: Do you mind if I go with you?
M: Not at all. I feel lonely going by myself anyway.
（Text 5）
W: Jack, Mr. Gomez wants to see you in his office.
M: Do you know why? I hope I haven't done anything wrong.
W: Relax. He just wants to go over some client data.
（Text 6）
W: I can't believe my car died! Thanks for giving me a hand.
M: Anytime.
W: You look like you know what you're doing.
M: My dad's a mechanic, so he taught me a few tricks of the trade.
W: Do you think it'll make much longer?
M: Just another couple of minutes, and you'll be able to hit the road.
听下面一段对话, 回答第8至第10小题。现在, 你有15秒钟的时间阅读这三个小题。
（Text 7）
M: Have you reviewed the application letter of Steven Johnson? His experiences are pretty impressive.
W: I have noticed he won pretty big contracts from a big international trader last year. Do you think he would be a good fit for our company?
M: Well, we have to see him in person before making any decisions. Should I arrange a formal interview with him?
W: Actually, I'll be out of town next week, so why don't we set up a schedule in the following week?
（Text 8）
W: Pablo, I heard about your promotion in today's regular meeting. Congratulations! When do you start your new position?
M: Thanks very much! I start on Monday. Things are a little busy at the moment, though, because my new office is on a different floor, and I have to move all my personal belongings there.
W: I just took charge of the office supplies, so if you need anything to help you pack, let me know.
M: That would actually be very helpful. I can't believe how many things I've collected over the years! Do you think I can get some cardboard boxes and tape?
W: Sure you can. Oh, I'm supposed to give an expense report in five minutes. I'll come back to you later.
（Text 9）
W: Hey Terry, this charity fundraiser I'm organizing, it's going to be a big event!
M: Where are you hosting it, Mary?
W: Here in this coffee shop. There's space for live music, food, and lots of activities for kids.
M: Oh, I assumed you would do it at a music hall.
W: We considered it. But it wasn't available then. Then we decided either here or the park. Finally, we chose this shop as it's more family friendly.
M: Yeah, that makes sense, and I suppose this is more private compared to the park. What charity is it?
W: A local animal shelter. I thought this would be a great way to raise awareness and funds. They always need a little support.
M: That's awesome. What can I do to help?
W: Well, I was actually hoping you could lend me a hand with the music. You know a lot of bands, and I was thinking maybe you could help me book some acts for the event.
M: Sure, I'd be happy to help out. I'll see what I can do.
（Text 10）
W: Good evening, everyone. I recently learnt Arabic in Cairo as part of my degree. My interest in the language was due to the passion of our Arabic lecturer and as the course progressed, my interest in the culture also grew with it. I considered studying in the Middle East, but ultimately decided on Cairo due to its energetic cultural scene.
However, in the city, we faced some challenges, including difficulties finding a hotel and accommodation as we were a group of unmarried individuals. Once settled, the culture shock was intense for some of us. One member of our group returned home within the first week. Luckily I became accustomed to the life in Cairo gradually.
The biggest challenge of learning Arabic is the disconnection between the written and the spoken forms. Despite these challenges, learning Arabic has been a rewarding experience, including absorbing myself in the culture and getting to know the locals and even negotiating at a local market. Highlights were being invited to a traditional Arabic meal at one of the locals' home and being able to confidently communicate.
Overall, this experience was outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to learn and grow in interesting ways. I encourage others to consider involving themselves in new cultures and languages. Thanks for listening.