This Christmas, maybe different from previous years, a strong desire drives me to make my own Christmas gifts. Honestly speaking, I’ve promised myself this more than once. As a crafter (工匠), I’ve frequently thought I am supposed to turn it into action. However, this year I really plan to stick to it. It’s partly because I run short of money. More importantly, I’ve recently returned from an inspiring trip around Britain, collecting some information about crafting for BBC’s Newsnight.

    Actually I planned the trip couples of months ago. The idea of traveling the country — making things as I went, meeting artists and craftspeople — sounded perfect to spend the summer. I’d pack a tent and a sewing machine and I’d set off. But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot. It seemed crazy to camp with winter on the way; Luckily, Newsnight viewers offered me accommodations in return for help with a craft task.

My tasks ranged from sewing worn-out clothes to making trousers. Textile students in Harpenden offered to pay for my petrol in return for a talk about hats. In Derby, Amy needed help to change an old pair of curtains.

I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things. When I asked some people if they could sew, only a few raised their hands. But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.

Craft is definitely popular at the moment. But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again. Perhaps once people rediscover the pleasure to be gained from making something unique, it may stick.

Sue is director of quilts at the V&A, where next spring she’ll be putting on the museum’s first major quilting exhibition. Sue believes the return to crafting is related to how we rethink ourselves. “People, especially women, are beginning to think about the way they live their lives. It’s 40 years since the first women’s liberation(解放) conference was held in Oxford. Since then we’ve been in the workplace, and we’ve had the opportunity of choice. Now we’re carefully choosing to go back into the home.”

Whether you agree with that or not, there’s something about Christmas that brings out the artistic flavor(氣息) in everyone. Whether it’s baking bread or pies or decorating the halls or rooms, we’re all prepared to have a try at any time. So if you fancy having a different and joyful party or holiday and making a few presents, try these really simple ideas, each inspired by my recent journey there. They make small and interesting gifts, and take no longer than 30 minutes each. Enjoy Christmas songs and settle down with a cup of hot cocoa, and the cold is gone. You’ll save yourself a small quantity of money and spread a little bit of love, too!

1.Why did the author promise to make herself a Christmas gift this year?

A. She wanted to enjoy a different Christmas.

B. She wanted to make more money.

C. She was inspired by her trip for a BBC TV program.

D. She hoped to present herself with a surprise.

2.The author had her plans carried out and set out for Britain in ______.

A. spring                      B. summer                            C. fall                            D. winter

3.What happened during the author’s trip to Britain?

A. She met many artists and craftspeople on her way to Britain.

B. She spent a whole summer in Britain making crafts.

C. She was asked to sew clothes, and curtains and made much money.

D. Many people showed great interest in making things themselves.

4.According to the passage, people learn to ______ through crafting.

A. be grateful to what they have gained

B. keep up with fashion

C. stick to something interesting

D. know more information about craft

5.What is the author’s opinion on homemade Christmas presents?

A. Making Christmas presents can only convey a bit of your love.

B. People can find their artistic talent in making Christmas presents.

C. A cup of hot cocoa can inspire you to make a creative present.

D. It would take a long time to prepare a homemade Christmas present.

 

第二節(jié)：單詞拼寫（共10小題；每小題1分，滿分10分）（注意單詞的正確形式）

81. I totally agree with your plan and have nothing f___________（更進(jìn)一步的）to say.

82. I’ve tried but I can’t h_________（處理）the problem by myself.

83. He has been a_________（逮捕）for stealing clothes from the shop.

84. The weather in this country d_________（不同于）from place to place.

85. The two words “vocation” and “vacation” often c___________（使困惑）me.

86. He had to lea ve his homeland for v__________（各種各樣的）reasons.

87. A large q__________（數(shù)量）of rice will be sent to the poor people.

88. The job of being a nurse needs much love and p_____________（耐心）.

89. According to the weather forecast, it is h_________（有希望的）that it will clear up this weekend.

90. Everyone should take his r___________（責(zé)任）to protect the environment.

 

第II卷

第三部分: 寫作(共三節(jié),滿分27分)

第一節(jié):單詞拼寫(共10小題; 每小題0.5分, 滿分5分)

69. The height of Changbaishan v_____________ from 700 meters above sea level to over 2000 meters and is home to a great diversity of rare plants and animals.

70.Ａsincere wish may g_____________ your love will be as deep and lasting as the lake itself.

71. Our plan needs to be more f_____________ to meet the needs of everyone.  

72. Some scientists agree with this view. However, other scientists are o____________ to it,

believing that we should not worry about high levels of carbon dioxide in the air.

73. If you develop AIDS, your chances of s______________ (生存) are very small.

74. A large number of students are a______________（上癮）to playing computer games, which does great harm to their health and studies.

75. All the scientists s_______________ to the view that the increase in the earth’s temperature is due to greenhouse gases.

76. Mother has given us _______________ ( 無止境) love all her life.

77. It is nearly impossible to p______________ when an earthquake will happen.

78. She walked slowly down the road. It was e_____________（明顯的）that she was in pain.

閱讀下面對(duì)話，掌握其大意，并根據(jù)所給字母的提示，在標(biāo)有題號(hào)的右邊橫線上寫出一個(gè)英語單詞的完整、正確形式，使對(duì)話通順。

A：Oh, what a (1)w    place! Could you tell me something about it, Miss Li?              1．      

B：Sure ,the Summer Palace is the (2) l         and the best preserved of the      2．      

imperial gardens in China. It (3) c      an area of 290 hectares ,and has              3．      

halls, pavilions and bridges almost everywhere.

A：Oh, that’s marvelous! But I’m afraid one day is not (4)e                          4．      

       to see all the interesting places.

B：It doesn’t matter. We can go (5) u     to the Longevity Hill                          5．      

       and have a broad(6)v       of all the fascinating scenes from there.              6．      

A：That’s a great idea.

B：Now, we come to the (7) t       of the Longevity Hill.                                  7．      

       (8)L          , that is Kunming Lake .It is a man-made lake.                     8．      

A：What a (9) I       view! The lake is a picture itself.                                     9．      

B：I can’t agree (10)m        . Well, Mr. Green, would you like to                     10．      

       have a rest in that pavilion?

A：Good.

第二節(jié)：單詞拼寫（共10小題；每小題1分，滿分10分）（注意單詞的正確形式）

81. I totally agree with your plan and have nothing f___________（更進(jìn)一步的）to say.

82. I’ve tried but I can’t h_________（處理）the problem by myself.

83. He has been a_________（逮捕）for stealing clothes from the shop.

84. The weather in this country d_________（不同于）from place to place.

85. The two words “vocation” and “vacation” often c___________（使困惑）me.

86. He had to lea ve his homeland for v__________（各種各樣的）reasons.

87. A large q__________（數(shù)量）of rice will be sent to the poor people.

88. The job of being a nurse needs much love and p_____________（耐心）.

89. According to the weather forecast, it is h_________（有希望的）that it will clear up this weekend.

90. Everyone should take his r___________（責(zé)任）to protect the environment.