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.

   下面是几篇有关英国博物馆的信息, 请阅读下列资料和相关信息, 并按照要求匹配信息。

首先, 请阅读下列资料介绍:

a. Explore the natural history of the planet Earth from the prehistoric era to the present day at one of London’s most visited museums. In 1881, the Natural History Museum moved to its present venue. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, this building is now one of London’s most beautiful and most recognised. These hallowed halls now house more than 300 years’ worth of collections, with over 68 million specimens. Broadly divided into Life and Earth galleries.

b. The British Museum is one of London’s top tourist attraction as well as being a major scholarly resource and Royal history. Its collection was bequeathed to the nation in 1753 and the Museum’s distinctive Greek revivalist structure was built during the 19th Century. The collection expanded massively during the hey-day of the British Empire. And if you haven’t got time for a proper visit, drop in for a coffee at the lovely Court Restaurant. Admission: free.

c. This magnificent Georgian edifice, found on the northern side of Trafalgar Square, houses a massive collection of Western European art. Designer Marc Newson presents two new blockbuster exhibitions to his gallery. The National Gallery, which showcased recent retrospectives. This exhibition traces the rise of the Italian Renaissance artist, and gather more than 100 pieces of his collection.

d. There are mausoleums, catacombs and ornate crumbling tombs of eminent writers, politicians and artists in the rambling, overgrown west section of this woodland graveyard. Celebrity corpses include Karl Marx, Michael Faraday and Christina Rossetti. Be aware that you must purchase a photography license in order to take photographs within the cemetery. Take advantage of the special guided tours.

e. The Science Museum’s seven floors offer opportunities to explore the history of technology as well as to glimpse the future. Setting off from Launchpad, where you can get to grips with the laws of science, you can move on to a vast array of interactive galleries which demand audience participation—whether it be of the hands- on or brain—stimulating kind. From medical history to nuclear physics, it’s all covered. Challenging the perception amongst many children that science is boring, the multitude of things to press, touch, watch and think about make this museum a firm favourite with the kids.

f. Predominantly a decorative arts museum, the V&A is a comprehensive collection of everything from sculpture to photographs, from Chinese art to art deco. Among others, the V&A houses the recently refurbished Raphael Gallery, home to seven tapestry cartoons by Raphael that are among Britain’s greatest art treasures and part of the Royal Collection. There is a lot to see from the Becket Casket to the Canon photography.

请阅读以下参观者的信息, 然后匹配参观者和他/ 她拟要参观的博物馆:

1. Tedy, a young official who is quite interested in photo- taking and sculpture. He spends all his spare time doing his favorite things.

2. Rusial, a beautiful lady with a fair hair, who gives painting lectures to the students in a college. She herself is a super fan of such artists as Da Vinci, Micheangelo, Raphael.

3. Mr. Green, a free careerist, makes a living by writing short plays which mostly tell the history of Great Britain. Besides, he is also a heavy coffee drinker.

4. Tim, 18 years old, a pre- engineering boy student, full of energy and rich in imagination.

5. Ms Denis, a widelife lover. She takes an active part in protecting the earth and enjoy herself by doing sports.

参观者 博物馆

1. Tedy       A. the Natural History Museum

2. Rusial      B. The British Museum

3. Mr. Green  C. The National Gallery

4. Tim        D. Highgate cemetery

5. Ms Denis   E. The Science Museum

F. Victoria and Albert Museum

书面表达: （满分20分）

最近，你班就“考试”这一话题举行了一次讨论会。请根据以下信息，用英语写一篇短文，叙述大家对考试的看法。

    1. 短文必须包括所有要点。

2. 词数：120左右。

3. 参考词汇：改革reform  v. & n.  ； 课外活动 extra-curricular activities

4. 文章的开头已为你写好，不计入总词数：

Recently we had a discussion about examinations. Some students think that it is very important to have an exam._______________________________________________________

英汉互译 （共5分）

举动；表现n. ______________           6.represent   _____________

减少；缩减vt. ______________          7.struggle    _____________

考虑周到的adj.______________          8.expand    _____________

后悔；遗憾 vt.&n.____________          9.deliver     _____________

耳语；低语v.&n _____________          10.occupation _____________

Visitors worry that London is an expensive city but there really are so many things to do for




free in London from museums and galleries to free music and walking tours.
Art Galleries
Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the sixteenth century to the present day.
Museums
All of London's major museums are free, but most offer some special exhibitions for a fee. My favorite is the Museum of London where you can learn the history of London from Roman times to today. Other great major museums are the British Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, and the      Natural History Museum. Oh, and I love the Geffrye Museum. And the. Now I can't decide which is the best!
Many of London's major art galleries and museums are open in the evening and often have special evening events. This can be a great way to relax at the end of a busy day seeing the sights. The main London galleries and museums are air-conditioned so it can be a wonderful way to cool down in the height of summer in the city. Galleries and museums are not open late every night so here is a handy list to help you plan your days and evenings.
Royal Parks
Many people say the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park is their favorite spot in London, and who am I to argue? I would also recommend St. James's Park as it offers one of the best views of Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is enormous and includes the ever popular Diana Memorial Fountain and the Peter Pan Statue.
There are often free talks and guided walks in the royal parks so do check the What's On section of the Royal Parks website.
Changing of the Guard
No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition. The Queen's Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11:30am every day in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from outside the front gates.
53. The passage is intended to _________.
A. recommend some free scenic spots to tourists       
B. help visitors save money while visiting Ireland
C. advise travelers how to choose art articles      D. tell readers London’s wonderful history
54. If you visit some museums in London in the evening, you ________.
A. can see all the artworks free of charge               B. have to endure the heat of the summer
C. need to pay admission for general exhibition  
D. may have a chance to enjoy some special events
55. In order to watch Changing of the Guard in summer, visitors have to _________.
A. gain access to the front gates after 11:30 a.m.
B. pay a sum of money to enter the Royal Parks
C. arrive at Buckingham Palace before 11:30 a.m.
D. come through the gates of Buchingham Palace