2022届江苏省如皋市高三下学期3月第一次调研测试（一模）英语试题含答案（含听力）

2022届高三年级模拟试卷

    英　　语  2022.3

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 does the man require?

A. A fingerprint.    B. A signature.    C. A photo.

(　　)2. How does the woman feel?

A. Indifferent.    B. Busy.    C. Excited.

(　　)3. What is the man asking the woman about?

A. A child.    B. The weather.    C. His glasses.

(　　)4. How long has the man had his beard?

A. For about 4 months.    B. For about 6 months.    C. For about 12 months.

(　　)5. What does the man suggest the woman do?

A. Be more cautious.    B. Be calmer.    C. Be more adventurous.

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. Who is Sarah?

A. The man's mom.    B. The man's sister.    C. The man's wife.

(　　)7. What does the woman want to do?

A. Invite the man's family for dinner.    　　　　　　B. Teach the man how to cook.

C. Look at old photographs.

听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。

(　　)8. How far did the woman walk?

A. About one mile.    B. About two miles.    C. About five miles.

(　　)9. What is the weather like?

A. Rainy.    B. Windy.    C. Sunny.

(　　)10. Where is the man taking the woman?

A. To a mechanic.    B. To a bar.    C. To his house.

听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。

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

A. Referee and player.    B. Husband and wife.    C. Doctor and patient.

(　　)12. Why can Charlie no longer play?

A. He has a bad cough.    B. He failed a drug test.    C. He injured himself.

(　　)13. How does the woman feel at the end of the conversation?

A. Sad.    B. Angry.    C. Surprised.

听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。

(　　)14. Why is Janet dirty?

A. She was planting vegetables.    　　　　B. She was playing soccer.

C. She was cutting the grass.

(　　)15. Where are the speakers probably?

A. On a playground.    B. At their house.    C. In Laura's garden.

(　　)16. What did Janet fail to think of when choosing the area?

A. The sun.    B. The wind.    C. The rain.

(　　)17. How did Janet learn the process?

A. From a neighbor.    B. From a class.    C. From a show.

听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。

(　　)18. What is the main topic of the talk?

A. How to speak in public.    　　　　B. How to overcome shyness.

C. How to learn more.

(　　)19. What did the speaker once fear?

A. Talking to girls.    B. Giving a speech.    C. Making friends.

(　　)20. What does the speaker suggest in the end?

A. Doing some research.    B. Buying more books.    C. Keeping practicing.

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

What's for 2022 at UK theme parks? To give you a helping hand we've highlighted some of the best new rides, parks and attractions not to miss on your radar.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers has announced several new attractions in CBeebies Land will open in spring 2022. There will be a new Hey Duggee themed play and adventure land for kids complete with appearances from Hey Duggee himself, a brand new JoJo & Gran Gran At Home attraction with fun activities, and a brand new interactive show, Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig, where families can discover plenty of prehistoric sights and sounds in the immersive experience.

Legoland

Legoland has announced a brand new attraction for 2022 which is sure to be a hit with kids who can't get enough of building Lego creations. “The Brick” will open in spring 2022 and will offer hundreds of thousands of Lego bricks for families to play with. Last year the resort also opened a huge new land inspired by mythical creatures complete with new rides—and the UK's first flying theatre ride.

Thorpe Park

Although no new rides are scheduled for 2022, the resort is currently in a public consultation period following a proposal for a new rollercoaster which would be tipped to become the tallest rollercoaster in the UK.

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is going all out for 2022 as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Expect dazzling shows, iconic landmarks such as Cinderella Castle being transformed into a one of four Beacons of Light, and 50 golden statues celebrating iconic characters.

(　　)21. How many new attractions will be open in CBeebies Land?

A. Two.    B. Three.    C. Four.    D. Five.

(　　)22. What do we learn about Thorpe Park?

A. It has the tallest rollercoaster in the UK.

B. It doesn't have any new rides for 2022.

C. It submitted plans for children's rides.

D. It is under construction of a rollercoaster.

(　　)23. In which park can visitors enjoy the golden statues?

A. Alton Towers.    B. Legoland.

C. Thorpe Park.    D. Walt Disney World.

B

Seven­year­old Kai Clay is suffering from a skin condition that sees his skin crack and drop “like a snake”， but despite the agonising pain, he is said to always be smiling.

Young Kai has been hailed “extremely brave” and a “little warrior” by his mother, Nikita, for battling on each day with Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris(PRP), an incurable and rare condition that causes constant inflammation and scaling of the skin, dry eyes and thickened palms and soles, which often crack and bleed.

The condition is believed to affect only one in 400，000 people and puts him at risk of life­threatening blood infections. His mom is “heartbroken” at the thought of him having to deal with this his entire life, but at the same time admits his strength “blows her mind”．

She said, “I just find it mind­blowing how a seven­year­old kid can just smile through it all. Kai is removing skin daily—his whole body is very flaky so when he wakes up in the morning there's dead skin all over his bed. His eyelids also turn inside out and go really red, dry and sore to the point that it's really hard to open and close his eyes.” The mom continued: “It just breaks my heart every single time, especially because there's nothing I can do about it.”

Kai now has to have three eye drops a day, a steroid cream once or twice a day, a moisturizing cream three times a day and a bath in ointments every night to manage his condition. He also has a tablet daily and an injection every two weeks of pain relief medication but even with that he often misses weeks of school at a time during painful flare­ups.

After sharing the story, Nikita expressed her hope to raise awareness for her son's condition in hopes there might one day be a cure. She added, “Not a lot of people even know it's a thing and there isn't enough research because it's that rare.”

(　　)24. What can we learn about Kai from the passage?

A. He is always laughed at by others.    B. He wants to snake along the road.

C. He is diagnosed with a rare disease.    D. He enjoys smiling at his mother.

(　　)25. What does the mother want to express in Paragraph 4?

A. Kai's strength and bravery.    B. Kai's worsening disease.

C. Kai's inspiring experience.    D. Kai's unique way of life.

(　　)26. Why did the mother share the story?

A. To argue against present research.

B. To offer ways of managing the disease.

C. To demonstrate her son's personality.

D. To draw public attention to the disease.

(　　)27. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A. A blood infection transformed into a disease

B. The pain relief: an increasing concern

C. Mom praises her little warrior son

D. Smiling: a way to get rid of pain

C

There are lots of nice stories about the protection of nature as humans suspend their activity. However, this slowdown is not all good news. New York City, for example, has suspended its organic recycling program. That means thousands of tons of rubbish that would have been recycled last year will find their way to landfills(垃圾填埋地) instead this year.

Like other New Yorkers, I recycled my kitchen waste and other organic materials. When they are broken down, they produce methane(a gas without color or smell), which if let loose can be harmful to the atmosphere. But when controlled in a way, the methane can be put to use as alternative energy. Plus, there is a by­product fertilizer(肥料), which can be sold on the market.

Now those thousands of tons of rubbish will be trucked away to landfills in Ohio and other remote places. It's definitely a backward step in our fight against climate change. Government leaders may get some inspiration from New York City's Freshkills Park.

The park is a best­case scenario(设想) for what can happen to mountains of rubbish. It was originally the Freshkills Landfill which received rubbish for more than half a century. In 2001, the landfill was closed. The Freshkills Park, around three times the size of Central Park, will be opened in 2035.

What is under the park is pretty complex, even if it just looks like a grassy hill. There are a few layers, each for different purposes. As for the methane, the park has hundreds of wells to capture the gas, which is enough to power 20，000 homes. Trees are tricky at the park because their roots can't go that far down. As well, most grasslands only have shallow­rooted grasses so that the staff can easily get access to the wellheads.

The project brings good news to the grasshopper sparrows. These birds are of conservation concern in New York State. Today, the grasshopper sparrows in New York State call this former landfill their home. So do foxes, deer and other animals.

Although it will take over a decade before the park fully opens, it has worked well so far. Besides this project, it's expected that similarly brilliant plans for the new rubbish will come out soon. Ideally, the organic recycling program gets reenacted(重新制定) in New York City before too long. Otherwise, there are some other similarly brilliant plans for all the new rubbish that will be coming soon.

(　　)28. What can we know about organic materials?

A. They will be replaced by other energy.

B. They are beneficial to the environment.

C. They have great value if handled properly.

D. They can be hardly controlled or recycled.

(　　)29. What is the author's attitude towards trucking New York City's rubbish away?

A. Indifferent.    B. Doubtful.    C. Optimistic.    D. Negative.

(　　)30. What can we infer about the Freshkills Park?

A. It has limited water resources.    B. It gives the landfill a new look.

C. It is very similar to Central Park.    D. It turns farmlands into grasslands.

(　　)31. What does the author mainly want to express in the last but one paragraph?

A. Parks are an ideal place for many animals.

B. The project aims to restore animal habitats.

C. New York has a large species of wild animals.

D. The project contributes to wildlife protection.

D

Wholesale prices for gas and electricity are increasing suddenly across Europe, raising the possibility of increases in already­high utility(公共事业) bills and further pain for people who have taken a financial hit from COVID­19.

Governments are struggling to find ways to limit costs to consumers as scant natural gas reserves present yet another potential problem, exposing the continent to even more price increases and possible shortages if it's a cold winter.

In the U．K., many people will see their gas and electricity bills rise next month after the nation's energy regulator approved a 12% price increase for those without contracts that lock in rates. Officials in Italy have warned that prices will increase by 40% for the quarter that will be billed in October.

There are multiple causes for the price increases, energy analysts say, including tight supplies of natural gas used to generate electricity, higher costs for permits to release carbon dioxide as part of Europe's fight against climate change, and less supply from wind in some cases.

Analysts at S&P Global Platts say electricity prices have risen due to strong demand from places like data centers and electric cars, but above all because of the rise in the price of natural gas used in generating plants. Utility companies' exposure to natural gas prices has increased as high­emission coal plants have been retired, while utilities face higher costs for carbon allowances required by the European Union's emissions trading system, which is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

The tight gas market could bite even more sharply if there's an unusually cold winter. That's because European distributors did not refill reserves reduced during last winter as they typically had done in summer months. In March 2018, when the freeze named “the beast from the east” hit Europe, industrial users in the U．K got a notice that there was a risk of interruption, although it didn't come to that.

Could Europe run out of gas？“The short answer is Yes, this is a real risk，” said James Huckstepp, an analyst at S&P Global Platts. “Storage stocks are at record lows and there isn't currently any spare supply capacity that is exportable anywhere in the world. The longer answer is that it's hard to predict how it will play out, given that Europe has never run out of gas in two decades under the current distribution system.”

(　　)32. What does the underlined word “scant” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. Total.    B. Additional.    C. Limited.    D. Regular.

(　　)33. What has actually led to the rise of electricity prices?

A. The closure of some coal plants.

B. The great demand for electric cars.

C. The competition between utility companies.

D. The change in the emissions trading system.

(　　)34. Why could an unusually cold winter make the gas market tighter?

A. More natural gas will be needed for industrial use.

B. European distributors don't make good preparations.

C. It is not easy to fill reserves during the cold weather.

D. Utility companies' work can be easily interrupted.

(　　)35. What can we learn from James Huckstepp's words in the last paragraph?

A. Europe is expected to seek help from other countries.

B. It is hard to control the gas price in Europe at present.

C. Europe might face a serious shortage of gas in the future.

D. There's something wrong with Europe's distribution system.

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。

What's better: private school vs public school? Choosing which school to send your children to can be a very hard decision to make. __36__

Ask about testing scores. Students at private schools tend to outscore public school students on standardized tests, which can affect your child's ability to get into college. __37__ Researchers have used the same data to come to conflicting conclusions. Other factors—like socioeconomic status, can influence of student's scores, regardless of where they are educated.

__38__ In general, public schools tend to have larger class sizes than private schools. If you need a school that can give more attention to individual students, you might consider a private school or a smaller public school.

Tour the school. Before you even begin to choose between a public or private one, you'll need to schedule a tour of the school you're interested in. Do the students look happy and engaged? Are the learning spaces bright and clean? __39__ Taking your children along gives them the chance to see the school and decide if it feels like a comfortable environment to them.

Don't put too much stock in online ratings. __40__ But they could also have fantastic teachers and principals. Talking to others help you figure out if this is true. Therefore, don't write a school off just because its ratings are a little low.

In a word, knowing what matters to you in terms of the differences between public and private education can make your decision a little easier.

A. The final decision is yours.

B. Take into account class size.

C. Some practical actions can help a lot.

D. However, there is some debate about this.

E. You can learn a lot about these when you visit.

F. Some schools might have unfavorable comments.

G. Decide how important private schools are to your child.

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。

Since the first day of preschool, I was always the type to invest more time in my physical work than social activities, the type that __41__ the girls who could get up in front of the class and __42__ give a presentation. Anything in the area of being vocally confident was never my __43__. But now I'm different. Such a change __44__ my summer job.

My entire existence has been defined by the summers I've spent in Avalon, New Jersey.Then, in my 14th summer, I got a job, which made a __45__ to me.

At first, it frightened me: The idea of having to __46__ my freedom. Not only was the loss of freedom saddening me, but the __47__ in me came out to play when I realized that I was going to launch myself into a completely __48__ environment.

The place was Brian's Waffle House. At the beginning I was very nervous, __49__ I gradually pushed myself much more and boosted my confidence. I've made so many great friends that I'll __50__ contact with even when the Waffle House is long gone. The time in the Brian's Waffle House is not dull. And every customer is a valuable part of the __51__．

My summer job has helped guide me in my own personal growth. Now I __52__ to sing in front of a large group of people. And I never miss a __53__ to allow my fashionable style to shine. If I hadn't walked into the shop, I wouldn't have __54__ the social skills I have now. I will be __55__ for the lessons and values I have learned forever.

(　　)41. A. ignored    B. convinced    C. envied    D. consulted

(　　)42. A. confidently    B. definitely    C. fortunately    D. secretly

(　　)43. A. expectation    B. strength    C. excuse    D. ambition

(　　)44. A. emerged from    B. departed from    C. suffered from    D. recovered from

(　　)45. A. introduction    B. contribution    C. discovery    D. difference

(　　)46. A. excite    B. possess    C. abandon    D. threaten

(　　)47. A. shyness    B. delight    C. curiosity    D. pressure

(　　)48. A. secure    B. strange    C. formal    D. natural

(　　)49. A. as    B. or    C. but    D. so

(　　)50. A. restore    B. lose    C. establish    D. maintain

(　　)51. A. memory    B. experience    C. incident    D. journey

(　　)52. A. dare    B. fail    C. promise    D. demand

(　　)53. A. goal    B. plan    C. choice    D. chance

(　　)54. A. assessed    B. acquired    C. exercised    D. applied

(　　)55. A. ready    B. eager    C. grateful    D. suitable

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。

Since a guideline was released in August by the General Office of the State Council, efforts have been stepped up __56__(protect) intangible cultural heritage.

“It was a substantial protective policy, and many students in vocational schools are now in training __57__ intangible cultural heritage skills，” said Tian Jing, an inheritor of “purple pottery firing” from Jianshui county, Yunnan province.

Jianshui's purple pottery is made from the local “five­color” clay, and __58__(develop) quickly during the Qing Dynasty. At last year's two sessions, Tian proposed increasing __59__ number of intangible cultural heritage teachers at medium­level vocational schools in areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups and __60__(build) national intangible cultural heritage digital museums. “The __61__(propose) have made advancements，” Tian said.

Tian, 45, established a purple pottery learning center in 2018, __62__ a national guideline was issued to support the founding of intangible cultural heritage workshops to create jobs and teach __63__(tradition) art skills to people who were overcoming poverty. The center has trained more than 100 women in rural areas in the craft, which Tian has been studying __64__ she was 17 years old.

At present more than 40，000 people in Jianshui county __65__(involve) in the purple pottery industry, which had an output value of more than 4 billion yuan ($631 million) last year.

第四部分　写作(共两节，满分40分)

第一节(满分15分)

假设你是李华，你的英国朋友Chris想到中国读大学，学习并体验中国文化。请给他回一 封电子邮件，内容包括：

1. 推荐大学；2. 你的理由；3. 你的期待。

注意：1.词数80左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Chris，

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Yours，

Li Hua

第二节(满分25分)

阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。

“Has Priya not come home as yet？” Surya asked. He had just returned from work. He was a cashier in the State Bank of Hyderabad, while his wife, Sharada, was a lab assistant in Reddy College for Women. Their daughter, Priya, was a Class X student in Saint Anne's School around six kilometres away. There was a direct bus from Priya's school.

“She should have been here by 4：30. It is 5：30 now and she still has not come，” Sharada replied. “Yesterday too she was late. In fact, since the last few weeks she has been coming home late.”

“Did you ask her？”

“Yes, I did, last week.”

“What did she say？”

“She mumbled something about spending time with her best friend, then she kept quiet. You know she is not very forthcoming. One day she would become an engineer or a doctor.” Priya was to appear for the Class X examination in April the next year. This was the month of July and her studies had started in real earnest. Morning six to eight she went for Maths and Physics tuition, and in the evening seven to eight for Chemistry.

The next day, Surya happened to discuss Priya's strange behaviour with his colleague, Durga, who too had a teenaged daughter.

“Surya, you should not take it so lightly. I have an idea. My brother, Ajay, works in a Detective Agency. I will tell him. I am sure he will agree to follow her. Since Priya does not know him, she will not get suspicious.”

Surya kept silent for a while, finally agreed.

On Wednesday, Surya got a call in the office.

“Hello! Surya? This is Ajay？”

“Yes, Ajay. Any news？”

“Plenty. Can you come to Arts College at 4：30 in the evening？”

“Why？”

“I will explain when we meet.”

Sharp at 4：30, Surya parked his scooter in front of the Arts College Building. Ajay was waiting for him.“Come with me，” he said. They went behind the building and took a path which led to a small Hanuman Temple. Surya had been there with Priya a couple of times and they both quite liked the serenity of the place. When they reached the place, Ajay asked him to quietly look from behind a boulder.

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。

As Surya looked, he was surprised. ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“I left my paintings in the temple. I want to become a painter.” Priya answered on the sofa. ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2022届高三年级模拟试卷(如皋1.5模)

英语参考答案及听力材料

第一部分　听力

1～5　ABAAC　6～10　BCCAB　11～15　BCBAB　16～20　ACBAC

第二部分　阅读

第一节

21～23　BBD　24～27　CADC　28～31　CDBD　32～35　CABC

第二节

36～40　CDBEF

第三部分　语言运用

第一节

41～45　CABAD　46～50　CABCD　51～55　BADBC

第二节

56. to protect　57. for　58. developed/was developing　59. the　60. building　61. proposals　62. when　63. traditional　64. since　65. are involved

第四部分　写作

第一节

Dear__Chris，

I am writing to express my warmest welcome to you. I'm sure you will have the most unforgettable college experience in China.

Given your keen interest in Chinese culture, I recommend you apply for Nanjing University, which is one of the first to enroll international students in China. With its profound culture, high­quality instruction, rich variety of courses, wide­range majors and abundant research opportunities, Nanjing University attracts students and scholars from all over the world. Moreover, it is located in Jiangsu, which will attract you with its beautiful scenery and harmonious cultural environment.

I sincerely hope your dream will come true. If you have further questions, please let me know.

Yours，

Li__Hua

第二节

One possible version：

As__Surya__looked,__he__was__surprised. He saw Priya sitting in the small courtyard in front of the temple. There was a canvas in front of her and she was busy painting. A few paint bottles, brushes and drawing sheets were lying around. Beside her were several canvases. Surya was stuck by the beauty，the raw energy, of his daughter's art. Then he left, determined not to disturb her. But why did she spend so much time painting at the approach of the Class X examination? Surya kept wondering until Priya came home that evening. “Why are you late again? Spending time painting? Where are your paintings？” he asked directly.

“I__left__my__paintings__in__the__temple.__I__want__to__become__a__painter.”__Priya__answered__on__the__sofa.“I do not mind struggling, even starving to realize my dream. Is it really that wrong to chase one's dream？” Struck by the child's determination, Surya was lost in thought. They always wanted their daughter to study Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, and become an engineer or a doctor. They believed painting couldn't guarantee her bread and butter but engineering or medicine could. Maybe it was time to change.

听力材料

Text 1

M: I just need to take your thumb print to acknowledge the receipt of the package.

W: That's high technology. Normally I just sign for it or the delivery driver takes a photo of where he's left it.

Text 2

W: When I became a doctor, I didn't think I'd have to work such long hours.

M: I know what you mean. We earn a lot of money, but we never have any time to spend it.

Text 3

M: Are you able to identify the child who ran out of the house?

W: No, it was too foggy. Even if it had been clear, I didn't have my glasses.

Text 4

W: You've had that beard since Christmas. You need to cut it before we meet my parents in June.

M: Calm down. It's only April. I've grown quite used to it. I might keep it.

Text 5

W: I'm trying to learn to swim, so I'm going to stick to the shallow end until I'm confident enough to go further.

M: My dad taught me to swim by throwing me in the deep end. At the time I was angry, but it worked.

Text 6

W: I didn't know you had a twin.

M: Yes, but we're not identical. We were just born on the same day.

W: You look very similar though, even if Sarah is a woman and you're a man.

M: Our mom used to dress us the same when we were kids. Looking at old photos now is so embarrassing.

W: Now I have to see those.

M: Never. I don't have any. They're all at my parents' house.

W: I'll need to get myself invited for dinner one day.

M: You definitely don't want that. My mom cannot cook very well.

Text 7

W: Excuse me，my car has broken down about five miles outside of your town.

M: So you walked here? In this weather?

W: Yes, I'm wet all over. Do you know where I can find a mechanic?

M: There's one about a mile down this road. Lots of cars sit in his drive. You can't miss it.

W: Thank you.

M: You'd better dry off first before you catch a cold. There's a pub two minutes away.

W: I don't have any money.

M: I'll come with you. The owner lives next door to me. He'll let you stand by the fire and warm up.

W: Hopefully, the sun will come out by then.

M: If not, you can borrow an umbrella.

W: Thank you.

M: Not a problem.

Text 8

M: Unfortunately, it looks like our team will have to withdraw from the competition.

W: Why? You're through to the second last round! You could play in the final!

M: Two of our players have been forced to quit.

W: Oh no, has something happened?

M: David has failed a drug test.

W: But he's such a nice boy.

M: I know. He told me he hadn't taken anything except cough medicine. That could affect the test.

W: Can't he take it again?

M: No, they've told him he can't play.

W: What about the other player?

M: Charlie fell off his bike cycling to practice. The doctor said he's broken two bones.

W: Can't you find someone to replace them?

M: No, we can't replace players during the competition, and we don't have enough players to carry on.

W: Oh Dan, I'm so sorry. I know how important the competition is for you.

M: Thanks, honey. I guess I'll have to wait until next year.

W: No, I'm going to phone them and give them a piece of my mind. This isn't over.

Text 9

M: Janet, why are you covered in dirt? Were you outside playing with Sam?

W: No, Sam is still at soccer practice. I just put a hundred seeds in the ground. Come and look what I did outside. This way you won't run the area over when you cut the grass.

M: You started a garden? That's great. I'd love to see what you did. Give me a second to finish eating.

W: Yeah, it's right over here behind the house. I chose this spot because the house should block some of the wind. It's also up the hill, so the rain won't flood the area.

M: It looks great so far, but don't you think there is too much shade? The house blocks the sun almost all day.

W: Oh, no! I didn't even think about that. I feel so stupid.

M: Did you talk to Laura next door? She has a nice garden that she tends. It's right up against their front yard fence. I know she took a class on gardening.

W: I didn't. I should have thought about that. I just saw a television program about it and I became inspired.

M: Well, the spot looks good anyway. I think we can figure out a way to get some things growing in here. I know carrots are excellent at growing in the shade.

W: That's very lucky then. I put in a lot of those. Maybe I didn't mess up as badly as I assumed.

Text 10

If you are naturally confident, it can be hard to understand shy people. Why don't they just speak up and enjoy themselves? The answer is that this is a real problem and not something they can control. One of the best ways to overcome shyness is to make it a habit of speaking to everyone. This may sound like a problem, since you need confidence to be able to speak to people, and you need to speak to people to build confidence. The trick is to start small.For example, just start saying “hello” to one person every day. When you start feeling more comfortable with this, start speaking to two people every day. The more you understand a situation, the more comfortable you will be. Take public speaking as an example. This terrifies most people, but only because they don't know much about it. If you do some research, you'll learn that it's perfectly natural to be terrified of public speaking. You are scared of being judged or laughed at. There are ways to deal with this. The more you practice, the better you'll become. I used to be super shy when it came to talking to girls. (19) But I started to read some books related to small talk and practiced a lot. At last, I got over this problem. That's exactly what you need to do to overcome your shyness.