Workplaces all over the UK are preparing for Christmas and all the traditions and customs that come with it. But will Christmas be a cause for happiness and celebration or embarrassment and disappointment?

One way that colleagues in Britain show their appreciation of each other at this time of year is by doing "Secret Santa" present giving. At that time, people who work together buy each other gifts without saying whom they are from.

Co-workers all write their names on a piece of paper and then organize a lottery in which each workmate takes another colleague's name at random(任意地). Each person then has to buy a present for the colleague whose name they have picked, usually with an agreed price set at a small amount of money such as five or ten pounds.

As the gifts are given without knowing the names of the gift givers, the quality of the presents can be very different; gifts that people received are from tickets to the opera to an air-freshener for a car.

Another common seasonal workplace tradition is the office Christmas party, when workmates put on their most attractive clothes and enjoy lots of free wine.

Although most parties are held without a hitch, sometimes the effects of alcohol(酒精) cause party goers to regret their drunken antics(古怪行为).

The BBC invited people to share their most embarrassing(令人尴尬的) Christmas office party stories, and received hundreds of funny stories, such as the man who split his trousers back to front with his strange dance moves or the drunken lady who spent the entire night with back of her dress tucked into her pants and saw the photos that proved it later at work.

But the worst story must surely come from Stuart Vaines, who got so drunk that he put his boss's head into the toilet. Unsurprisingly, he lost his job the very next day.

1.By saying this Christmas will cause embarrassment, the author actually refers to_________.

A. the workmate who receives a ticket to the opera

B. the man who receives an air-freshener

C. the lady who tucked the back of her dress in her pants

D. the man who put his boss's head into the toilet

2.The underlined phrase "without a hitch" in Para.6 most probably means_________.

A. without trouble B. without an end

C. without free drinks D. with less people

3.It is implied in the passage that _________.

A. The gift givers do not know whom they will give gifts to

B. some workmates are not generous enough to buy expensive gifts

C. the BBC is interested in people's funny stories

D. some party-goers will wish they haven't drunk so much

4.Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

A. Office Parties at Christmas

B. Happiness from Office Parties

C. Celebrations in Workplaces at Christmas

D. Funny Stories from Office Parties

阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

Human remains of ancient settlements will be reburied and lost to science under a law that threatens researches into the history of humans in Britain, a group of leading archaeologists (考古学家) says. In a letter addressed to the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, 40 archaeologists write of their “deep and widespread concern” about the issue. It centers on the law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2008 which requires all human remains unearthed in England and Wales to be reburied within two years, regardless of their age. The decision means scientists have too little time to study bones and other human remains of national and cultural significance.

“Your current requirement that all archaeologically unearthed human remains should be reburied, whether after a standard period of two years or further special extension, is contrary to basic principles of archaeological and scientific research and of museum practice,” they write.

The law applies to any pieces of bone uncovered at around 400 dig sites, including the remains of 60 or so bodies found at Stonehenge in 2008 that date back to 3,000 BC. Archaeologists have been granted a temporary extension to give them more time, but eventually the bones will have to be returned to the ground.

The arrangements may result in the waste of future discoveries at sites such as Happisburgh in Norfolk, where digging is continuing after the discovery of stone tools made by early humans 950,000 years ago. If human remains were found at Happisburgh, they would be the oldest in northern Europe and the first indication of what this species was. Under the current practice of the law those remains would have to be reburied and effectively destroyed.

Before 2008, guidelines allowed for the proper preservation and study of bones of sufficient age and historical interest, while the Burial Act 1857 applied to more recent remains. The Ministry of Justice assured archaeologists two years ago that the law was temporary, but has so far failed to revise it.

Mike Parker Pearson, an archaeologist at Sheffield University, said, “Archaeologists have been extremely patient because we were led to believe the ministry was sorting out this problem, but we feel that we cannot wait any longer.”

The ministry has no guidelines on where or how remains should be reburied, or on what records should be kept.

1.According to the passage, scientists are unhappy with the law mainly because ________.

A. it is only a temporary measure on the human remains

B. it is unreasonable and thus destructive to scientific research

C. it was introduced by the government without their knowledge

D. it is vague about where and how to rebury human remains

2.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. Temporary extension of two years will guarantee scientists enough time.

B. Human remains of the oldest species were dug out at Happisburgh.

C. Human remains will have to be reburied despite the extension of time.

D. Scientists have been warned that the law can hardly be changed.

3.What can be inferred about the British law governing human remains?

A. The Ministry of Justice did not intend to protect human remains.

B. The Burial Act 1857 only applied to remains uncovered before 1857.

C. The law on human remains hasn’t changed in recent decades.

D. The Ministry of Justice has not done enough about the law.

4.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?

A. New discoveries should be reburied, the government demands.

B. Research time should be extended, scientists require.

C. Law on human remains needs thorough discussion, authorities say.

D. Law could bury ancient secrets for ever, archaeologists warn.

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。选项中有两项为多余选项。

(请将答案涂在答题卡上E=AB F=AC G=AD)

Find ways to respond to a major disaster

When natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes happen, there’s always a great need for coordinated(协调的) disaster relief and recovery. 1. .

Volunteer

To take a hands-on approach to disaster recovery, volunteer your time and talents. You can travel to the affected regions to provide support. 2. .It is recommended that you volunteer through one of the professional organizations for your safety and your skills can be put to best use.

Donate money

Disaster victims often have lost their homes or need to relocate. In many cases, your money is just as valuable as your physical presence in helping with relief efforts. Many organizations provide temporary housing, food and other items for victims. 3. .Even organizations like the Red Cross have been criticized for how donated funds have been allocated(分配).

Donate blood

If you can’t travel and don’t feel comfortable giving money, a need for donated blood always existed. The Red Cross and local medical organizations manage blood supplies that are important to disaster victims. Call the Red Cross to schedule an appointment. 4. .

5. .

Goods are valuable in stricken areas. Building materials and donations of bottled water or household items can be placed on trucks and taken to the disaster areas. It is the best to allow the professional organizations to coordinate these donation efforts and see that the needed supplies reach a location where they will be best used for recovery.

A. Send needed items.

B. Make preparations.

C. A lot of people are skillful at organizing local response.

D. Or look out for a blood drive in your area.

E. Whether disaster has occurred at home or abroad, you can help.

F. And you can do everything from providing first aid to rebuilding homes in these areas.

G. Before giving, though, make sure you trust the organization receiving your money.

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