2018-2019学年河北省唐山市某校高二下期末考试英语试卷一、阅读理解1.The Five Best Countries To move To For RetirementRetiring in a different country is gaining popularity. Below are five of the best countries to seek retirement.Costa RicaMild climate, breathtaking landscapes and beaches draw retirees (退休人员) to Costa Rica. The country readily welcomes immigrants and offers a simple residency process. With a monthly income of at least 1,000 per month from Social Security or a similar source, people enjoy a high standard of living at a much lower cost than the U.S.MalaysiaRetirees who choose to make Malaysia home will appreciate its rich culture and attractive scenery. Moreover, the country offers 2 modern facilities at modest prices. Immigrants enjoy convenience and comfort in their daily life. You will find low-cost rental units, delicious street food, and various shopping malls.MexicoBecause it is close to the U.S., Mexico draws more than a million American retirees to its borders. Increasing immigrant communities enjoy seaside living and conversations with friendly. English speaking locals. Plus, legal residents over the age of 60 receive airline, grocery, and restaurant discounts.PanamaGentle ocean wind takes the heat out of hot year-round temperatures, which has been the chief attraction to foreign retirees. Beautiful beaches and a booming economy also attract retirees to Panama. An income of $2,000 per month covers modest living costs. Furthermore, the country offers discounts to retirees with a special visa.EcuadorLazy coastal towns, sun-shining hot spots, and nature-filled views wait for immigrants seeking a carefree lifestyle. Public transportation costs in Ecuador make owning a vehicle unnecessary. A bus ride only costs 25 cents and taxi rides will run about $3.（1）What do Costa Rica and Malaysia have in common?A Convenient shopping.B Various cultural activities.C Simple immigration procedures.D Relatively low living cost.（2）Which country's location specially attracts retirees from the U.S.?A Malaysia's.B Mexico's.C Panama's.D Ecuador's.（3）What is the main reason for retirees to choose Panama?A Beautiful beaches.B A booming economy.C A pleasant climate.D Discounts for retirees.2.I attended a writer's group to get feedback on my book. But there were so many people therethat the discussion was limited. After getting home, my 13-year-old son asked me to read one chapter to him. So I read the chapter about spending my pocket money as a nine-year-old child.The story took place at a lunch counter, where I dreamed of ordering a banana split. Colorful balloons were hung above the counter and a sign said "Pop a balloon and pay 1 cent to 63 cents for a banana split!" As I was given only 50 cents for cleaning the doghouse, I didn't dare to ask my parents for any more pocket money without doing more work or risk asking anyone else. So I kept my wish to myself.Frankie listened carefully, as I read the final sentences of the chapter, "I watched as others selected a balloon to pop and dreamed about the opportunity to take my chance. But it never happened."The next morning, Frankie led me to the kitchen. I couldn't believe my eyes. The table was covered in a pile of balloons. Frankie handed me 50 cents and a fork. "Pop one!" he urged. With tears in my eyes, I broke one. A piece of paper fell out of the balloon."What does it say?" Frankie asked. "Fifty cents," I whispered, too moved to speak loudly. Frankie asked, "Well, do you have 50 cents?" I handed him the money. "OK!" Then Frankie pulled out a banana split from the refrigerator.I hugged Frankie hard. We took turns popping the other balloons until I finally got the 1-cent balloon. It was a long-time coming, but worth the wait.It hit me that the first step in making any wish come true is giving it a voice.（1）The author read the chapter to Frankie because ______.A she wanted to get feedback from FrankieB Frankie asked the author to read it tohim C she was used to telling a bedtime story to him D Frankie had a strong desire for knowledge（2）What can we infer about the author from the second paragraph?A She spent money wisely when she was a kid.B She earned her pocket money by doing housework.C She had enough money to do whatever she liked.D She had no close friends to share her secret wish.（3）Seeing what Frankie did for her, the author felt ______.A comfortable and happyB puzzled and excitedC awkward andsatisfied D surprised and grateful（4）The author learned that ______.A it is important to express one's wishesB it is comforting to have a kidaround C experiences in childhood affect us later in life D wishes can come true by just voicing them3.Imagine jet-setting from Tokyo to Paris, enjoying first-class travel, a four-course dinner and a city tour—all without leaving the ground. This is the future of air travel according to Japanese company First Airlines, which has used the power of virtual reality to create dream vacations.Passengers avoid the costly airport transfer, the baggage fees or busy airport terminal（航站楼）—and instead enjoy the privileges of business or first-class travel and an expensive tour of Paris—all while remaining motionless in Tokyo. As well as Paris, First Airlines also offers the virtual destinations of New York, Rome and Hawaii.After boarding, guests can settle down for the two-hour flight on their advanced Airbus seat—surrounded by decoration that is modeled on the inside of an aircraft, for maximum realism. There is flight service and VR, foods, music for every destination. Passengers will be served a delicious meal by air stewards, alongside drinks and other desserts. The menu depends on the destination of choice—Manhattan clam chowder and cheesecake for New York and salmon tartar and onion soup for Paris. After landing at the destination, guests can enjoy a 360-degree tour of the destination—all thanks to projection（投影）mapping and video.It makes for a supposedly stress-free vacation, perfect for those whose ability to travel abroad is limited by cost or health. Virtual reality is becoming increasingly present everywhere at all times in the world of travel—allowing travelers to appreciate the wonders of the world, all without leaving their house.At just 4,980 yen（46）forbusinessclassand5,980yen（56）for first class—these two-hour flights are far more affordable than their real-life flights. Tokyo citizens eager to experience First Airlines can book a trip on the website, with reservations currently being taken until May 2018.（1）What can we learn about the future of air travel from Tokyo to Paris?A It is high-flying.B It is money-saving.C It is power-wasting.D It is time-consuming.（2）When can passengers enjoy the beauty of the destination?A Upon arrival.B During the flight.C After boarding the plane.D On getting off the plane.（3）The flight is perfect for travelers who ______.A do little physical exerciseB work under great pressureC desire to travel a long distanceD have health or money troubles（4）What can be the best title for the text?A A Scientific FantasyB The Power of Virtual RealityC Appreciation of the Global WondersD Japan's Virtual Air Travel Abroad4.Used clothes are rather difficult to deal with. They are made from chemicals, cotton or wool, which consume many resources in the process of manufacturing and, if burned, they pollute the air and increase the carbon pressure upon the environment. Therefore, it is a good thing for used clothes to be recycled in factories instead of being disposed of in garbage cans to be mcinerated（焚烧）or transported to landfill sites. In that sense, the companies that put the donation boxes in communities have done something good and beneficial.However, if they mean to recycle used clothes, they need to tell people that and label theircollection boxes as "recycle boxes" instead of misleading people by calling them "donation boxes". People expect their "donated" clothes to go to the poor, not factories.People need to be more realistic as well. Donating clothes may not bring much help to the poor. Especially, as it takes a lot of human labor to collect the used clothes, sort them, clean and disinfect them and deliver them to less-developed areas. Every step costs money and sometimes the total cost might even be higher than buying new clothes in large quantities. Sometimes the poor might not need used clothing, but they cannot trade the clothes for what they do need.It might be a sad fact, but the most effective and efficient way of helping poor people is donating money and letting them get what they need themselves. So, when people want to send a helping hand, they need to donate money, instead of simply donating their used, unwanted clothes.（1）What is the first paragraph mainly about?A The donation boxes should be put more in communities.B Unwanted clothes can be recycled in donation boxes.C Putting donation boxes in communities is right for companies.D Used clothes should be recycled in factories.（2）Why cannot the boxes in communities be called "donation boxes"?A The poor don't need clothing donations any longer.B Recycling these used clothes needs much more money.C Donation boxes are intended for collecting unwanted clothes.D The clothes in the boxes are to be recycled at last.（3）What does the author really mean by mentioning "a sad fact"?A The poor cannot get help from it.B The factories cannot benefit from it.C It's not convenient for the residents.D It gets the communities into trouble sometimes.（4）What's the author's attitude towards "donation boxes in communities"?A Supportive.B Disapproving.C Indifferent.D Doubtful.二、七选五5.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。
