新教材2024-2025学年高中英语Unit3Fasterhigherstronger单元测评外研版选择性必修第一册

第三单元测评第一部分听力(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.Wheredoestheconversationprobablytakeplace?A.Intherestaurant. B.Athome. C.Inaschool.2.Whatistheprobablerelationshipbetweenthetwospeakers?A.Roommates. B.Colleagues. C.Classmates.3.Whatarethetwospeakerstalkingabout?A.Takingexercise. B.Workingeffectively. C.Losingweight.4.Whyisthemanangry?A.MrBlackismadathim.B.Heisfarfromsuccess.C.MrBlackdoesn’tliketopraisehim.5.HowwillthewomangotoNewYork?A.Bycar. B.Bytrain. C.Bybus.其次节(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.Whatarethetwospeakerstalkingabout?A.Choosingcourses. B.Examresults. C.Revisionmethods.7.Whatwilltheboyprobablydo?A.Taketheeconomicscourseagain.B.Reviewhislessonsinthemorning.C.Makeupfortheexam.听第7段材料,回答第8、9题。8.Wheredoesthewomancomefrom?A.India. B.Japan. C.America.9.Whatdoesthewomanthinkistheadvantage?A.Obtainingamaster’sdegree. B.Knowingacertainlanguage. C.Livinginothercountries.听第8段材料,回答第10至12题。10.What’stheman’sproblem?A.Hedoesn’texercise. B.Hewantstoputonweight. C.Hehasanunhealthydiet.11.Howdoesthewomanexercise?A.Runningandplayingtennis.B.Runningtwiceaweek.C.Playingtennisatleastthreetimesaweek.12.Whatdoesthewomansuggestthemando?A.Eatless. B.Eatbetter. C.Runmore.听第9段材料,回答第13至16题。13.Wherearethewoman’sparentslivingnow?A.Argentina. B.Chile. C.TheUnitedStates.14.Whatdidtheman’sfatherdo?A.Asalesrepresentative. B.Asoldier. C.Atraveler.15.Howmanycountriesdidthemanstayin?A.4. B.5. C.7.16.Whatisthemanlearningatcollege?A.Physics. Bputer. C.Psychology.听第10段材料,回答第17至20题。17.WhydoesABCCompanyofferthebenefitstoitsemployees?A.Tokeepthemstayinglongerintheoffice.B.Toencouragethemtoworkovertime.C.Tohelpthemtogetawayfromthecomputer.18.HowmanybenefitsdoesABCCompanyoffertoitsemployees?A.Two. B.Three. C.Four.19.Wherecantheemployeesspendtheirholidayswiththeirfamiliesforfree?A.InSpain. B.InDisneyland. C.InLijiang,China.20.Whocanenjoythe4-daySummerWeeksinthecompany?A.Employeesworkingatleastthreeyears.B.Thenewly-employedstaff.C.Employeesworkingoverayear.其次部分阅读(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、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。ATherearemanywaystoexploreParis,butfewareasfunastravelingonabicycle.Thesehandytwo-wheelerswillgetyouupcloseandpersonalwiththecapital’sbeststreets,squaresandattractions—withoutgettingpainfulfeetfromwalkingmilesonend.ParishighlightsviaCycloForgetyourworriesabouttheweatherandgettingwornout,becausetheCyclodoesawaywithallthat.Thiscoveredthree-wheeledbicyclewillgetyoutoallthecapital’shotspotswithease,thankstoyourknowledgeableguideanddriver.FromtheTuileriesgardens,you’llventureontoChampsElysées,PalaisRoyal,theLouvreandmore.Tourviathecity’svélibbikesThistourintroducesyoutotheVélibsystem:Paris’sequalofLondon’sBorisBikes,whichcanbesharedbymanypeople.Asyouswitchyourbikeasyoumovefromstationtostation,you’llgetthechancetoexploreindependently.It’sperfectforthosewhodon’tliketobeshownaroundtoomuch.TourdeFrancebikerideThisisaonce-a-yeardeal,butagreattourifyouhappentobeinParisinJuly.AstheTourdeFrancecomestoanend,youcanjoinFatTireTouronabikeridealongtheclosedroadsthroughParis.Inthemorning,whiletheclosingceremoniesarestillbeingsetup,you’llcycledownChampsElysée,roundtheAredeTriompheandfinishoffattheEiffelTowerwherecoffeeandbreadwillbewaitingforyou.SeeParisbynightThenightbiketourgivesyoutheperfectopportunitytoseewhyPariswasgiventhenickname“CityofLights”.Inthreehoursyou’llcyclepastthecity’smostbeautifulflood-litmonumentsandlearnabouttheirhistorywhileyou’reatit.21.WhatcanweknowaboutVélibbikes?A.TheyaresharedbikesinParis. B.TheyarealsocalledBoris.C.ItischeapertotouronVélibbikes. D.VisitorscanexploremoreonVélibbikes.22.WhatcanvisitorsdoinTourdeFrancebikeride?A.JoininTourdeFrance. B.Bicycleonclosedroads.C.Takephotoswithwinners. D.Eatattheclosingceremonies.23.Whichofthefollowingcouldbetheeasiestbiketrip?A.SeeParisbynight. B.TourdeFrancebikeride.C.ParishighlightsviaCyclo. D.Tourviathecity’sVélibbikes.BAsIputdowntheexerciseequipment,mybraintriestofocusonwhatmytrainerhassaid.“Describethattome,”askedRob.Heislookingforananswerthatrequiredmetoconnectmybraintomybody.Yes,Iknow.Mybrainisconnectedtomybody—thethingthathasbeencarryingmyheadaroundforthelast56years.Sincecompletingmyundergraduatedegree,Ihavebeenincreasinglyimmobilizedbymyworkinglife.Sittingstillatadesk,staringatascreen,it’smostlythroughmyfingersthatIconnecttomybrain.“Ifeltgreat,”Ireply.“Icouldfeelitinmyback.”Robisquicktoencourageandsetupmoreweight.Thencheerfullyhe’llsay“okay,nextset.”Everyaccomplishmentinmylifehasbeenenteredinmyhead—grades,degrees,promotions,publishedpapersandteaching.Butonreflection,Iwasn’tpayingmuchattentiontomybody.Weightliftingisdifferent.Robisatrainerandmanageratmylocalgym,myguideinhelpingmewithasinglegoal—getstrong.Despitemyage,sizeandbeginnerstatus,Robhasmademefeelsafe.Heisalwayscloseby,watchingandposingquestions.Like“Wheredidyoufeelthat?”orthemoregeneralrequest,“Describethatforme.”Earlyon,Itooktheseasrotepleasantries.Overtime,Irealizedhewantedmorethanjustroutineanswers.Havingshownmehowtodoanexercise,Robwouldencouragemetothinkaboutthemuscleorchainofmusclesastheymoved.Thequestionswereatestofthatconnection.Gradually,Istartedthinkingmywaybackintomybody.Notmybodyasawholebutasindividual,connectionstonewlyidentifiedplaces.Intentionally.Specifically.Magically.It’ssurprisinglydifficult.

Iamfivemonthsintoanewwayoflivingwiththis56-year-oldbody.Ittalkstomeinatotallydifferentwaynow.Itremindsmeofmycapabilities,mymusclescallingmetomove,demandingtobechallenged.AndIlongtocontinuethisdialoguesothatI’mreadythenexttimeRobsays:“Describethattome.”24.Whatcanwelearnfromthethirdparagraph?A.Theauthorisallergictoexercise. B.Theauthor’sfingersmaybeflexible.C.Theauthorhasbeenlivinganactivelife. D.Theauthordoesn’tunderstandthetrainer.25.WhydidRobasktheauthortodescribewhathefelt?A.Tohelphimreleasepressure. B.Tokeephimfocusedonwork.C.Tostoptheembarrassingatmosphere. D.Tohelphimfeelhermusclesworking.26.Whatdoestheunderlinedphrase“rotepleasantries”inparagraph7probablymean?A.Smalltalk. B.Whitelie. C.Harshcriticism. D.Patientexplanation.27.Whichofthefollowingmaybeasuitabletitleofthepassage?A.ABrand-newLifestyle B.AnEffectiveWayofExerciseC.KeepingMusclesConnected D.Weightlifting:MyFavouriteExerciseCAsraceseasonapproaches,manyrunnershavethesamegoal:gofaster.ButinastudypublishedinthejournalCurrentBiology,researchersshowthatspeedingupmightrequireustoresistournaturalbiology.Bycombiningdatafromrunnersmonitoredinalabalongwith37,000runsrecordedonwearablefitnesstrackers,scientistshavefoundthathumans’naturaltendencyistorunataspeedthatconservescaloricloss—somethingthatracersseekingtoshavetimeofftheirmileswillhavetogetover.Theresearchgrouphasbeenstudyingthemechanicsofrunninginlabsfor15yearsbuthadn’tgottenachancetostudyrunninginthewildbefore.“Wejoinedthetwodatasetstogainnewinsightsandcombinethemoremessywearabledatawiththegoldstandardlabexperimentstolearnabouthowpeoplerunout,”saysco-authorJenniferHicks.Whatsurprisedtheteamwastheconsistencytheyfoundacrossthecombineddatasets.“Wehadassumedearlierthatpeopleranfasterforshorterdistancesandthenwouldslowtheirpaceforlongerdistances,”saysfirstauthorJessicaSelinger.Butthiswasn’tthecase.Mostoftherunnersanalyzedstuckwiththesamespeed,whethertheyweregoingforashortrunoralongoneovertenkilometres.Fromanevolutionary(进化)standpoint,itmakessensethatpeoplewouldrunatthespeedthatusestheleastamountofenergy.Thiscaloricconservationissomethingthathasbeenobservedacrosstheanimalkingdom.Buthumans’reasonsforrunninghavechanged,andifthegoalisspeed,therearesometricksrunnerscanuse.Listeningtomusicwithafasterpacehasbeenshowntohelpspeedupstride(步伐)frequency,whichincreasesrunningspeed.Inaddition,pickingfasterrunningpartnerscangiveyouaboost.Hickshopesthathavinglargepoolsoffitnessdatafromwearableswillhelpresearchersgaininsightsaboutpopulations.“Youcanlookatconnectionswiththebuiltenvironmentandaccesstoleisureresourcesandstarttolayerallofthatdatatoreallyunderstandhowtoimprovephysicalactivityandhealthmorebroadly,”saysHicks.28.Whatdotheracershavetoovercomeduringtherace?A.Energyconsumption. B.Muscleloss.C.Weaknessofhumanity. D.Lackofnutrients.29.Whatwastheteam’sinitialideaconcerningrunning?A.Peoplewouldruninthewildratherthaninlabs.B.Peopleadjusttheirspeedstodifferentdistances.C.Peoplerunataconstantspeedregardlessofdistance.D.Peoplepossessenormouspotentialforrunningfaster.30.Whyare“Listeningtomusic”and“pickingfasterrunningpartners”mentionedinparagraph5?A.Tooffertipsonspeedincrease. B.Toevaluatetheadvantagesofrunning.C.Toexplaintheimportanceoffastrunning. D.Torevealthechangeinhumanrunninggoals.31.What’sHicks’attitudetotheinformationobtainedfromwearables?A.Unclear. B.Critical. C.Doubtful. D.Favourable.DSurfinghasdeeproots,butforthefirsttime,surferswerecompetingformedalsattheSummerOlympics.AtTsurigasakiBeach,40milesfromTokyo,theywerealsoridingbigwavesaheadofastorm.“Theincomingtidepushovertheafternoondoeslooktoprovidealotoffunwaves,”reportedKurtKorte,theofficialsurfforecasterfortheTokyoOlympics.HeworksforSurfline,acompanybasedinHuntingtonBeach,California.HesaidwhileitmightrainatTsurigasakiBeach,itshouldbeagreatdayforthesurfingfinalsattheOlympics.WhilenewtotheOlympics,surfinghasalonghistory.Inpre-IncaPeruandwhereverthere’sbeenanearbyocean,peoplehavelongbeensurfinginoneformoranother.AncientwarriorsinTahitiandSamoausedtotrainbysurfing.InPolynesia,surfingwasalsoconsideredanartform.Butmodernsurfingbecamepopularnearthestartofthe20thcenturyinHawaii.GettingsurfingtotheOlympicswasadreamofHawaiianDukeKahanamokumorethanacenturyago.DecadesbeforeHawaiibecameaU.S.state,heearnedfiveOlympicmedalsforswimming,startingin1912.KahanamokuhadgrownupsurfingwithhisbrothersinWaikiki.Anewsreporterinthe1960’sonceaskedhim,“Duke,wasitmoreofathrillforyoutowinthoseOlympicGames,orridesomeofthosebigwavesyouusedtoride?”“Ithinksurfingismuchmoretome,thegreatestthrillofmylife,”heanswered.FormerprofessionalsurferMattWarshawsaid,“UnlikemostothersportsincompetitionattheOlympics,somuchofsurfingdependsonMotherNature:thewindandthewaves.”Atthemoment,thesesurfersarehopingforsomesickwavesfortheOlympicfinals.Butwiththeocean,youneverknow.32.WhatdoKorte’swordssuggest?A.Itwouldraindogsandcats.B.Thesurfingeventwouldberainedout.C.SurfingfirstbecametheOlympiceventinTokyo.D.Thecomingdaywouldbringsatisfactorywaves.33.Whatcanbelearnedaboutsurfing?A.IthasdeeprootsinthehistoryofOlympics.B.AncientwarriorsinTahitiusedtotrainbysurfing.C.InSamoa,itwasregardedasanartform.D.ModernsurfinggainspopularityinPolynesia.34.WhatdidMattWarshawsayaboutsurfing?A.Surfingwasthegreatestthrillofhislife.B.Surfingwasthewaytogetalongwithhisbrothers.C.Surfingcountsgreatlyonthewindandthewaves.D.Theconditionsofsurfingcanbepredictablebeforetheevent.35.What’sthepurposeofthetext?A.Tointroduce. B.Topersuade. C.Toentertain. D.Todiscuss.其次节(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。TheGrowingPopularityofCyclingTheysayonceyoulearnhowtorideabike,youneverforget.Mostofuslearntwhenwewerekids,andmanystillstrap(系好)onourhelmets,putourfeetonthepedals,andshootoffforaridearoundthestreets.Inrecenttimes,cyclinghasseenaboostinpopularity.36

First,let’slookatthehealthbenefits.Cyclingcanimproveyourcardiovascular(心血管的)healthandburnexcessbodyfat.Strengtheningyourlegmusclesinyourcalves(小腿肚)andthighs(大腿).37Alongrideinthecountrysidecouldhelpyoutoclearyourmind,orde-stress.Butit’snotonlyaboutyourbodyandmind—therearealsosomeplussidesforyourwallet’shealth.

Cyclingcanbeagreatwaytocommute(通勤)orgetabouttown.38Ifyoudrivetowork,sometimesfindingsomewheretoparkcanbeanightmare,whereasfindingsomewheretochainyourbikeupcanbemuchsimpler.Then,onthetrain,therearechallengesatstationsandothercommutersspeakingloudlyontheirphonestodealwith.Andifyou’reworriedaboutsafety,therearedesignatedcyclelanesinmanymajorcities.Wearinghigh-visibilityclothingisanotherwaytoimproveyoursafetywhencyclingontheroads.

39Itcanhelpyoutoreduceyourcarbonfootprint.Notpumpingoutfumesintotheatmosphereisbetterfortheplanetandyourownenvironment.

So,whetherpeoplewanttocyclefortheirhealth,gettingabouttown,theirwallet,theenvironment,oracombinationofallofthem—40

A.Thepopularityofcyclingisontherise.B.Bycycling,yousavemoneyonfuelortrainfares.C.Finally,cyclingcanalsobegoodfortheenvironment.D.Cyclingexceptfortransport,alsocanbeusedforfitness.E.Andcycling’sbenefitsaren’tjustphysical,butmentalaswell.F.Whatmakesitsoappealingtopeopletostraddletheirbikesonceagain?G.Ifeelveryrelaxedbycycling,butthebodywasabletoquicklyreachtheamountofexercise!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,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。340-poundAndyDurandecidedtoreturntohisfavouritehighschoolhobby—skateboarding.However,Duran’s41beganbeforeheevensteppedonaskateboard.Hecouldn’tfindanyresources(资源)for42skateboarders—whattypesofskateboardsto43andwheretobuyplus-sizeshirts.

WhatDurandidfindinsteadwasanunfounded44.“Peoplesaythatifyou’reover190poundsyoushouldn’tbeonaskateboard,”hesays.

Determinedtodosomethingto45thedescriptionofplus-sizepeopleinsports,DuransetupChubRollz—askateboardingcommunityforoverweightskateboarders.Toencourageplus-sizepeopleto46thefunsport,Durancreatedalistofrecommended47forthem.Healsohostedskateboardingclassestoteachbeginners.

ThecommentsonChubRollzhavebeen48.FollowinganarticleabouthisactionontheInternet,Duranreceivedalotofmessagesfrom49showingthanksforgivingthemcouragetostandonskateboards.

Duranbelievesalotmoreneedstobedoneto50bodyimagestereotypes(成见).“Maybeskateboardshopsshouldcreatea51environmentforusandalltypesofboardsshouldbemade—everyoneismakinglighterproducts,butsometimesweneedother52,”heexplains.Forthose53abouttakinguptheirfavouritesportsduetotheir54,Duranhasthistosay,“Be55toyourself,asyou’reoftenyourworstcritic(指责家).Thatyoudon’tseeitdoesn’tmeanyoucan’tdoit.”

41.A.chances B.protests C.challenges D.arrangements42.A.new B.fat C.gifted D.young43.A.register B.design C.sell D.try44.A.proof B.guideline C.report D.belief45.A.check B.change C.stress D.match46.A.play B.promote C.like D.rate47.A.products B.books C.hobbies D.sizes48.A.unusual B.positive C.informal D.immediate49.A.volunteers B.students C.strangers D.neighbors50.A.understand B.control Cpare D.remove51.A.safe Bpetitive C.welcoming D.healthy52.A.choices B.plans C.measures D.experiences53.A.careful B.curious C.certain D.doubtful54.A.skill B.weight C.popularity D.age55.A.useful B.open C.kind D.faithful其次节(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。Imaginethescene:Wearingprotectiveclothesfromheadtotoe,12playersareskatingontheiceandholdingtheirhockey56.(stick).Tenplayerstrytopassandshootthepuck(冰球)intotheiropponents’netbuttwoofthemaredefendingtheirnet.Thisisicehockey.

Icehockeyisthoughttohavecomefromstick-and-ballgames57.(play)intheBritishIsleslongago.It58.(introduce)toNorthAmericalaterandbecame59.(particular)popularinCanada,becomingthecountry’sofficialnationalwintersport.Withmoreandmorepeople60.(take)partinthesport,icehockeybecameaneventinthefirstWinterGamesinChamonix,France,in1924.

Icehockeyisthedanceoflife,61.showsthepowerandpassionoftheplayers.

Anicehockeymatchisnon-stopunlessthereisapenalty(判罚)or62.goalisscored.Duringthematch,alloftheplayersarefocused63.gettingtheirteamthevictory.

Thehardpuckmovesataveryhighspeed.Formanypeople,there’saninstinct(本能)tomoveoutoftheway.Buthockeyplayersstandbravelywiththehelpofpadding.AccordingtoKevinBieksa,aCanadian64.(profession)icehockeyplayer,hockeyplayersmightleavewithabrokennoseorjawinthefirstperiod,butthey’llcomeback65.(continue)playinginthesecondperiod.第四部分写作(共两节,满分40分)第一节(满分15分)2024年北京冬奥会在我国的胜利举办让体育运动再次成为人们关注的焦点。请你用英语写一篇发言稿,号召同学们都加入体育运动中来,内容要点包括:1.运动的好处及留意事项;2.个人的运动经验与感受;3.呼吁大家酷爱运动和生活。留意:1.词数80左右;2.请在相应位置作答。Hello,everyone.TheBeijing2024OlympicWinterGameswasheldwithhistory-breakingsuccess,puttingsportsbackinthespotlight._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________That’sall.Thankyou.其次节(满分25分)阅读下面材料,依据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。“WhatamIdoingwrong?”JasmineWilsonthoughttoherselfasshebreathedheavily.Andherbreathscouldbeheardfromnearbybutweredrownedoutbythefirmstepsofseveralpairsoffeethittingtheground,eachdesperatelypushingforwardtogettothefinishinglinebeforetheother.Itwasherfirsttrackmeeting,andshehadalmostgivenupmidwaythroughtherace.Shedidn’tknowwhyshedecidedtochoosetrackandfieldasanafter-schoolactivity.Asmanytimesasshethoughtoutherreasonsastowhyshechosetodoasportthatrequiresalotofhardtraininginsteadofsomethingeasier,shesimplyassumedthatsinceitwasfromherinterest,shewaswillingtotryitout.Trackpracticesweremuchharderthanshethoughtandveryexhausting.Atleast,that’swhatitfeltliketoher.Whensheobservedherteammates,theywereeffortlesslyworkinghard.Shewantedtobelikethem,butitwasdifficult.“Ms.Wilson,doyouhaveagoalinmind?”SmithJones,thecoachofthetrackteamaskedJasmineonedayafterpractice.“Ijustwantyoutothinkaboutthat.Whatareyourunningfor?Whoareyourunningfor?Whatwillyougetoutofthisexperience,andhowwillthathelpyouroverallgoal?Thesearequestionsthatyoureallyneedtoconsider,Ms.Wilson.”TheolderwomanplacedahandonJasmine’sshoulderwithafirmlook.“Youdon’thavetoanswermerightnow,butIlookforwardtofindingitoutfromyou.”Now,attherace,smallbeadsofsweatrandownthesidesofherflushedfaceanddrippedontothefadedlettersofthehighschooltrackteam’suniform,whichwasclosetoherskin.Jasminecouldbarelyfocusonthepresentmomentbecauseherheartwaspoundingtooloudinherears.“Wilson!Ms.Wilson,areyoualright?”Thefamiliarvoicemadehercomebacktohersenses.留意:续写词数应为150左右。Whenshelookedup,itwasthecoachoftheirteam,SmithJones._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Jasminetookadeepbreathandsuddenlyfeltfullofenergy.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

第三单元测评附:听力原文(Text1)M:Whathappenedtoyou?W:IwassteppingintothebathtubwhenItrippedandIhitmyheadonthewashbowl.M:Comeon!Getintothecar.Let’sgototheemergencyroomandhavesomeonelookatit.(Text2)W:IwasreallysurprisedwhenIwasofferedthepromotion.Ijustfigureditwouldgotosomeonewithmoreexperience.M:Goodforyou.Youdeserveitasmuchasanyoneinouroffice.(Text3)W:WhenIdopush-ups,shouldIbendmyelbowssothatmynosetouchestheground?M:Youdon’tneedtobendyourelbowsthatmuch.Themostimportantthingistokeepyourbodystraight.Manypeoplebendtheirbodiesatthewaist,whichreducestheeffectivenessoftheexercise.(Text4)M:MrBlackisdrivingmecrazy!Ihavetriedmybest,butheisalwayssayingIamstillfarfromsuccess.W:Probablyhewantstogiveyoumoremotivationtogoahead.M:Idon’tthinkso,foroncehetoldmeIwouldnevermakeitifIdidn’tmakesomechanges.(Text5)W:WhatdoyouthinkisthebestwaytogettoourbranchofficeinNewYork?M:Well,theweatherhasbeenunpredictablelatelywithheavyrain.Takingabusordrivingyourowncarmaybedangerous.So,takingthetrainmaybeyourbestchoice.(Text6)M:Mum,doyouknowthateconomicsexamIhadlastweek?W:Theoneyoudidn’trevisefor?M:Ididreviseforit.Iwasworkingonitallweekend.Don’tyouremember?W:Oh,yes,Iremember.Apartfromgoingoutuntilfourinthemorning,youmean?M:Well,Ihavetorelaxalittle,evenifI’mrevising.Anyway,Ididn’tpassit.I’mreallysorry.I’llprobablyhavetoretakethewholecourse.W:Oh,Ryan!It’sareallyexpensivecourse.I’mnotsurewecanaffordforyoutotakeitagain.Thingsaredifficultenoughasitis.M:Iknow,Mum.I’msorry.I’lltalktotheteacheragainandseeifIcanretakeit.(Text7)M:Cathy,whatisyourdreamjob,ifyoucouldhaveanyjobintheworld?W:Mydreamjobistobecomeadiplomatonbehalfofmycountry.That’swhyIcametoJapantolearnJapaneseandhopefullyobtainamasterdegreeininternationalrelations.IhopetoworkfortheIndianEmbassyinTokyo.M:Thatmustbeprettycompetitive.Inmycountry,America,manystudentswanttolearninternationalrelations,too.W:It’sverycompetitive,butIthinkifyouknowacertainlanguagethatnotmanypeoplespeak,itgivesyouacompetitiveadvantage.(Text8)M:Cathy,I’vebeenputtingonafewpounds.WhatcanIdotoloseweight?W:Well,Iexercisealot.Igorunningatleastthreetimesaweek.Morethanthat,Ienjoyplayingtennis...Differentsportsusedifferentmusclesandallofthemhelptoloseweight.M:Yeah.Actually,oneoftheproblemsisthatIactuallyexercisealot,somaybeit’smydiet.W:Itcouldbeandsointhatcaseyoumightwanttoeatsomethingperhapsmorenutritiousormaybeevenlessofwhatyoudoeat.Maybe,IeatthreemealsadayandItrynottosnackinbetween.M:That’sprettytough!Actually,youseemyproblemisthatIlikejunkfood.Ihavetochoose,eitherIeatlessorIeatabetterdiet.Whatdoyouthinkismoreimportant?W:Ithinkifyouareexercisingthenyoushouldjusteatwhatyouwantandeatless.M:Eatless.OK.Thisisgoingtobetough.(Text9)M:Hi,Jenny.So,whereareyoufrom?W:Well,originallyI’mfromArgentina,butwemovedtotheUnitedStateswhenIwasaboutfiveyearsold.MyparentsnowliveinChile.That’swheretheyfirstmet.Howaboutyou,Tom?M:IwasborninFresno,California,andwelivedthereuntilIwasseven.Then,sincemyfatherworkedforthemilitary,wemovedallovertheplace.W:Ohyeah?Wherearesomeoftheplacesyou’velived?M:Mostly,wewereoverseas.WespentatotaloftenyearsinKorea,Germany,andOkinawa,Japan.WeweretransferredbacktotheStatesthreeyearsago,butIthinkmyparentswouldhavelikedtoliveoverseasforatleast20moreyears.W:Wow.Itsoundslikeyou’vehadaninterestinglife.So,whatdoyoudonow?M:I’mastudentatPurdueUniversity.W:Ohreally?Whatareyoustudying?M:I’mmajoringinpsychology.Howaboutyou?Whatdoyoudo?W:Well,I’mworkingasasalesrepresentativeforVegaComputersdowntown.M:Nokidding!Mybrotherworkstheretoo.(Text10)Technologycompaniesusuallyfocustheirbenefitsonmakingpeoplestayintheofficelonger:ping-pongtables,gamerooms,on-sitetrainingrooms;someevenofferlaundryservices.We,ABCCompany,don’tdoanyofthese.Instead,wefocusonbenefitsthatgetpeopleoutoftheofficeasmuchaspossible.Wedesignedourbenefitssystemtoreflectthat.Herearesomeofthebenefitsweoffertogetpeopleawayfromthecomputer.Vacation:Forthelastthreeyearsinarow,we’veworkedwithaprofessionaltravelagenttopreparedifferenttravelpackagesthatemployeescouldpickfromasaholidaygift.Everythingispaidforandincluded.Specific,pre-arrangedtrips—whetherforafamilytogotoDisneylandoracoupletotourSpainorsinglestogotoLijiang,China—havehelpedmakesurepeopleactuallytaketheirvacations.4-daySummerWeeks:FromMaythroughOctober,everyonewho’sbeenwiththecompanyformorethanayeargetstoworkjustfourdaysinaweek.Thisstartedoutas“Friday’soff”,butroleslikecustomersupportandoperationsneedtocoverallhours.Tocomeupwiththebestideas,youneedafreshmind.Thesetravelandme-offbenefitshelpevery