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(气息) 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.

假如你是李华，一位18岁的女孩，英语成绩非常突出，有两年英语家教的经验，现在是学校“爱心俱乐部”的成员，认为志愿工作能够使人树立信心，培养良好的交际技能。看到下面这则招聘信息，你愿意利用这次机会，为需要帮助的儿童献出自己的微薄之力，同时增长见识，了解社会。

请根据所给中、英文提示完成下面的英文邮件。

注意：1. 110词左右。

      2． 邮件开头和结尾已为你写出。

      3． 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

提示词：tutor v. & n. 家教         Loving  Heart Club 爱心俱乐部

Dear Student Union,

I have just read the ad on the school bulletin and the moment I saw it I took an interest in becoming one of the volunteer English teachers of the five. Now I’m writing here to apply for this opportunity.

I’d appreciate it so much if you could possibly consider my application. I’m looking forward to your early reply and please email me at lihua@ yahoo. com. cn.

Yours sincerely,

                                                                                                                                       Li Hua

A. Gift giving proven to be valuable.

B. Memories from gift giving

C. Moments and events for gift giving

D. Various functions of gift giving

E. Gift giving as a wasteful practice

F. Gift giving as a two-way social activity

Gift Giving

61. __________

　　　 There are manyoccasions for giving gifts in modern industrialized societies: birthdays,naming ceremonies, weddings, anniversaries, New Year, It is common to givegifts on many of these celebrations in western cultures. In addition, specialevents, such as one’ s first day of school or graduation from university, oftenrequire gift fiving.

62. __________

　　　 What is happening whenwe give gifts? Most important, we are exchanging gifts. If someone gives me agift for my birthday, I know that I am usually expected to give one on his orher next birthday. A gift builds up or confirms a social obligation.

63. ___________

　　　 Gifts tighten personalrelationships and provide a means of communication between loved ones. Peoplesay that a gift lets the recipient know we are thinking of them, and that wewant to make the person “feel special.”We want people to feel wanted, to feelpart of our social or family group. We give presents to say “I’msorry.”Sometimes it is difficult for us to find a present that someone willlike. Sometimes we give things that we like or would feel comfortable with. Inall these cases, the gifts are sending out messages－oftenvery expressive ones.

64. ___________

　　　 People tend to talkabout presents in a fairly loving way. A woman whose mother had died years agodescribed the many gifts around her house. These were gifts that her mother hadgiven her over the years: “I appreciate these, and they mean something to me,”the woman said, “because I remember the occasions they were given on,and that they were from my mother, and the relationship we’ve had.” The giftsremain and keep the relationship alive in mind. This woman felt the same wayabout the gifts she gave to others. She hoped that the recipients would look athere gifts in years to come and remember her.

65. ___________

　　　 Emotions like thesesuggest that a positive spirit still lies behind gift giving. They prove thatthe anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss was wrong to say that modern westerngift giving is highly wasteful. Studies in Canada and elsewhere have also shownthat this is not the case. Each gift is unique even if so many are given. Theemotional benefit for those who exchange gifts is the very reason for thetradition to continue.

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(气息) 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. 1.

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

   1. A.
      She wanted to enjoy a different Christmas
   2. B.
      She wanted to make more money
   3. C.
      She was inspired by her trip for a BBC TV program
   4. D.
      She hoped to present herself with a surprise
2. 2.

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

   1. A.
      spring
   2. B.
      summer
   3. C.
      fall
   4. D.
      winter
3. 3.

   What happened during the author’s trip to Britain?

   1. A.
      She met many artists and craftspeople on her way to Britain
   2. B.
      She spent a whole summer in Britain making crafts
   3. C.
      She was asked to sew clothes, and curtains and made much money
   4. D.
      Many people showed great interest in making things themselves
4. 4.

   According to the passage, people learn to ______ through crafting

   1. A.
      be grateful to what they have gained
   2. B.
      keep up with fashion
   3. C.
      stick to something interesting
   4. D.
      know more information about craft
5. 5.

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

   1. A.
      Making Christmas presents can only convey a bit of your love
   2. B.
      People can find their artistic talent in making Christmas presents
   3. C.
      A cup of hot cocoa can inspire you to make a creative present
   4. D.
      It would take a long time to prepare a homemade Christmas present

1.Last Wednesday, Chinese President Hu Jintao flew to France f________ a state visit to Australia to attend the sixth summit of G20.
2.I would appreciate it very much if you could a_________ our plan.
3.During the summer vacation, he attended an English training course and now he can speak English f_______.
4.They are the best team in their country and they d_________ to win the match.
5.Obviously it is your fault. There is no need for you to d_________ yourself.
6.I’m quite c__________. I really can’t decide which answer is correct.
7.When she was lying in hospital, she r_________ not having taken her mother’s advice.
8.Regular exercise helps the film star get into shape and keep a slim f_________.
9.It is a bad habit to s_______ breakfast, for your body needs the energy it provides.
10.They made so loud noises that I couldn’t c_________ on my study in the classroom.