2018-2019学年江西省临川二中、临川二中实验学校高二下学期第三次联考英语试题 Word版 17页

临川二中 2018－2019学年度下学期第三次考试 临川二中实验学校 高二年级英语试卷 ‎ 总分：150分 考试时间：120分钟 第Ⅰ卷 选择题 第Ⅰ卷（满分100分）‎ 第一部分 听力理解（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）‎ 请听下面 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, 并标在试卷的相应位置。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. What kind of shoes will the woman probably buy?‎ A. Dress shoes. B. Football shoes. C. Tennis boots. ‎ ‎2. How does the woman sound?‎ A. Relieved. B. Worried. C. Disappointed. ‎ ‎3. What does the woman want to do?‎ A. Attend a party. B. Call the Trumps. C. Get Michael’s number. ‎ ‎4. What are the speakers talking about?‎ A. The weather. B. Writing skills. C. Weekend plans. ‎ ‎5. What is the woman complaining about?‎ A. The busy line. B. The wrong food. C. The late delivery. ‎ 第二节（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A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。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6、7题。‎ ‎6. When does the conversation take place?‎ A. In the morning. B. At noon. C. In the afternoon.‎ ‎7. What does the man expect the woman to do?‎ A. Pass on a message. B. Attend a meeting. C. Call him back. ‎ 听第7段材料，回答第8、9题 ‎8. What are grocery bags like compared with plastic ones?‎ A. Lighter. B. Cheaper. C. Stronger. ‎ ‎9. How much can shoppers save by using every reusable bag?‎ A. 3 cents. B. 10 cents. C. 15 cents. ‎ 听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。‎ ‎10. Where are the speakers?‎ A. In America. B. In France. C. In China. ‎ ‎11. Why is the woman here?‎ A. To pick up her son. B. To buy a piano. C. To give a class.‎ ‎12. How far does the man live from here?‎ A. Two blocks east. B. Five blocks west. C. Seven blocks north. ‎ 听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。‎ ‎13. What is the woman doing right now?‎ A. Doing a survey. B. Going over the notes. C. Taking part in a quiz show.‎ ‎14. Who are the speakers?‎ A. Students. B. Teachers. C. Reporters. ‎ ‎15. When did Iceland announce its ban against foreign fishermen?‎ A. In 1973. B. In 1975. C. In 1980.‎ ‎16. What did Iceland do in 2006?‎ A. It started its first whale hunt. ‎ B. It elected a woman president. ‎ C. It allowed commercial whaling. ‎ 听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。‎ ‎17. What made the speaker decide to study psychology?‎ A. Her family background. ‎ B. Her observation of adults. ‎ C. Her education at university. ‎ ‎18. Which group did the speaker study first?‎ A. University students. B. Creative people. C. Ordinary people.‎ ‎19. What can we learn from the “experience examining method”?‎ A. People are happier when concentrating hard.‎ ‎ B. Creative people are happier than other people.‎ ‎ C. People’s happiness depends on who they are with. ‎ ‎20. What does the speaker think of her study?‎ A. Disappointing. B. Confusing. C. Exciting 第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）‎ 第一节（共15小题;每小题2分，满分30分）‎ 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑 A ‎ Knowing what to do at checkout and properly preparing for it can turn a potentially heated situation into a quick thank you and goodbye. Below we made a list of five things you should remember at hotel checkout.‎ Don’t be late to check Hotels may add an extremely high price for being just a half hour late. If you know you won’t make the cutoff time, it never hurts to call ahead and try to negotiate away a potential charge.‎ Don’t forget to double check the room and safe Make sure you don’t leave things behind. If you have an early flight or checkout time, pack up as much as you can the night before so that last-minute rush isn’t too annoying. Also, be sure to take out anything in the room safe.‎ Don’t forget to tip the housekeepers It’s always polite to leave some money for the people keeping your room clean.‎ Don’t ignore the detailed bill You may be in a rush, but give the detailed bill a careful look to see if the hotel charge is different from the rate you initially booked.‎ Don’t get angry Shouting at the assistant manager standing behind the front desk probably won’t help when ‎ dealing with an unexpected item on the bill. Think about how difficult it can be to deal with annoyed customers. Keep calm and things may be solved better and sooner.‎ 21. The hotel will charge you more money if you_________________? .‎ A．check before cutoff time B．are late in checking out C．do not call the hotel ahead D．negotiate with the clerks ‎22. Which of the following does the author suggest doing?‎ A．Leaving something behind.‎ B．Being sure to keep the room clean.‎ C．Doing the pack-up as early as possible.‎ D．Tipping the housekeepers to show respect.‎ ‎23. What is the purpose of the last paragraph of the passage?‎ A．To provide more information about the hotel.‎ B．To show the uneasiness of assistant managers.‎ C．To suggest a way to solve problems properly.‎ D．To protect customers from unnecessary dangers.‎ B Have you ever heard of the "996" working schedule?‎ It is quite easy to guess what it is. According to that schedule, one has to work from 9 am to 9 pm every day, six days a week, something that’s rather inhuman even thinking about it.‎ Yet that has been a common practice among Chinese internet companies. Recently, a programmer shared a project "996.ICU" on github.com, a well-known code-sharing website, as a protest of the 996 working schedule that impairs the employees’ health.‎ The project had a rather simple slogan:‎ Follow the 996 schedule, and you will end up in ICU.‎ On the website, programmers working for more than 40 well-known domestic internet companies shared evidence showing their companies asked them to work the long hours, among which are big ones such as e-commerce giants jd.com and Alibaba, as well as electrical appliance ‎ giant Suning.‎ But that’s not a surprise because the internet companies’ extra hours have never been a secret. On the contrary, several bosses of internet companies used to praise it as a kind of culture.‎ But according to Cui Zhendong, a lawyer from Yiqian Law Firm, it is illegal if a company introduces a compulsory 996 working schedule for employees, because the Labor Law clearly states that one should work eight hours a day and no more than 44 hours a week. Yet it would be hard to stop that illegal practice. In order to stop it, employees must collect evidence, hire a lawyer, and go through very long procedures to take their employers to court.‎ Worse, the over 40 companies are the biggest covering the entire internet industry. So that even if an employee wants to change the job, it is highly likely that his new employer will also demand he or she work a 996 schedule.‎ ‎24. What do you know about the “996” working schedule ?‎ A. It’s a schedule that fits most workers well. ‎ B. It’s inhuman for bosses of internet companies.‎ C. It means working longer hours than the Labor Law states. ‎ D. It means employees has more time to relax.‎ ‎25. What’s the purpose of the project “996.ICU” ?‎ A. To promote the “996” working schedule.‎ B. To praise the common practice of Chinese internet companies.‎ C. To arouse the awareness of those working for long hours.‎ D. To oppose the 996 working schedule.‎ ‎26. Why is it difficult to stop the illegal practice of 996 working schedule ?‎ A. Because it will take employees effort and time to do so.‎ B. Because employees can’t change their jobs.‎ C. Because the Labor Law states one must work so long. ‎ D. Because employees are reluctant to change the present situation.‎ ‎27. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?‎ A. A beneficial 996 schedule for employees. ‎ B. Several ways to stop 996 schedule.‎ C. You may end up in ICU with 996 schedule. ‎ D. You may end up in prison with 996 schedule. ‎ C ‎ I have three kids and a great husband and I’m enjoying a career that I find challenging and fun. To the outside world，this feels like “success.” But there is still a voice in my heart asking if this is who I truly am. Only in silence do I hear the self and wonder who that person might be．‎ So I booked a trip to find out. I travelled，for the first time，without my husband or kids．I went to Iceland with a friend，who shares an appreciation for wilderness and silence. For six days, we were immersed(沉浸)in wild，raw scenery and real weather—all kinds of weather. Climbing a mountain against rain and returning to a tent for a simple meal reminds you how little you actually need. And how strong it feels to be uncomfortable sometimes．‎ I found silence in Iceland，and time to consider the me outside of career and the me outside of kids as I shared stories with strangers．‎ When I stopped talking and just listened, I became more considerate. I learned that choosing to be considerate can create more space, more food and more warmth. ‎ But I didn’t really gain any better appreciation of what I want from life or my job. I suspect the anxiety that drove me to seek silence in Iceland was losing sight of my ability to choose gratitude and joy, and to be present in the challenges I set in my career and my family.‎ I came home to noise, rush and love; with no less confusion on who I want to be. I know the answer isn’t waiting out there on the top of a mountain in Iceland. The answer is in front of me with every step on my own life’s path, and in every choice I make.‎ ‎28. Why did the author take a trip to Iceland?‎ A. To better understand herself． B. To gain a new experience． ‎ C. To enjoy family happiness． D. To appreciate natural beauty．‎ ‎29. What do we learn about the author’s trip?‎ A. Exciting． B. Enjoyable． C. Relaxing． D. Difficult．‎ ‎30. What change happened to the author?‎ A. She felt lonelier． B. She became more caring． ‎ C. She felt more anxious． D. She became more confident．‎ ‎31. What will the author do in the future?‎ A. Go back to nature． B. Travel to Iceland more often． ‎ C. Face reality bravely． D. Pay less attention to her feelings．‎ D While staring out of the window during a flight, not everyone will think carefully about the question why airplanes have rounded windows rather than square ones.‎ Over the years, aerospace engineering has made huge steps in airplane technology, meaning planes can carry more passengers and go faster. The planes have also changed shape to increase safety—including the windows. As commercial air travel took off in the mid-20th century, airline companies began to fly at higher altitudes to lower their cost—the air density(密度) is lower up there, creating less drag(阻力) for airplanes. However, higher altitudes came with problems, like the fact human beings can’t really survive at 30,000 feet. To make that possible, the cabin was changed to a cylindrical(圆柱体) shape to support the pressure inside. But at first, plane builders left in the standard square windows and this expansion meant disaster. The de-Havilland -Comet came into fashion in the 1950s. With a closed cabin, it was able to go higher and faster than other aircraft.‎ However, where there’s a corner, there’s a weak spot. Windows, having four corners, have four potential weak spots, making them likely to crash under stress—such as air pressure. By curving the window, the stress that would eventually break the window corner is distributed and the chance of it breaking is reduced. Rounded shapes are also stronger and resist deformation(变形), and can thus survive the extreme differences in pressure between the inside and outside of the aircraft.‎ Fortunately, designers figured out the lack of design pretty quick. Now we have nice, rounded airplane windows that can resist the pressure of traveling altitude. It gives being able to gaze out of your window to the world from 35,000 feet a whole new outlook, doesn’t it?‎ ‎32. Why did airlines aim to fly at higher altitudes?‎ A. To help the plane to take off.‎ B. To save money for less drag.‎ C. To increase safety of the plane.‎ D. To carry more passengers and go faster.‎ ‎33. What does the underlined words “de-Havilland-Comet” in Paragraph 2 refer to?‎ A. A spacecraft. B. A band. C. A planet. D. An aircraft. ‎ ‎34. Which is the advantage of the rounded window?‎ A. It increases the air pressure.‎ B. It weakens the strength of air pressure.‎ C. It reduces the possibility of breaking up.‎ D. It helps to survive the extreme weather.‎ ‎35. Where does this text come from?‎ A. A science book on flying. B. A newspaper on safe driving. ‎ C. A website on survival skills. D. A magazine on fashion design.‎ 第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10 分） ‎ 根据短文内容，从其后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。其中有两项为多余选项。‎ Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a serious disease. 36 It can end in suicide. People suffering from depression often seem to lack energy or interest in the things around them. Depression affects how much a person eats and can disturb sleep.‎ Some people are helped with traditional treatments, such as medicine or talking with mental health experts. 37 Luckily, there are other methods people can try. One such treatment involves bursts of electromagnetic energy. It sends magnetic pulses directly to the brain.‎ Sonya Kibbee is from Columbia, Missouri. She says she is normally active, but because of severe depression last year, she had trouble making simple decisions. Even with medication and talking with mental health professionals, she thought about suicide. 38 Then she heard about TMS, short for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.（经颅磁刺激疗法）‎ ‎ 39 And the treatment usually does not require anesthesia（麻醉）. TMS uses a wire to send powerful magnetic pulses to the brain. During the treatment, patients feel gentle, repeated beats on their head. The treatment can cause minor pain inside the head. So before her treatments, Kibbee took pain medicine, which reduced the sensation. After one week, she said she noticed a real difference. After more than 30 treatments, her signs of depression almost disappeared. Doctor Muaid Ithman says the treatment can help patients when other methods do not.‎ The United States National Institute of Mental Health has reported on two large studies on the safety of TMS. It said they found that most side effects, such as head pain, were smaller than average. However, the treatment is relatively new. 40 .‎ A. Their symptoms will completely go away.‎ B. Yet these treatments are not 100 percent effective.‎ C. Doctors ordered hospital stays for her several times.‎ D. TMS does not involve doctors operating on the patient.‎ E. Depression can affect normal life and a person’s sense of self-worth.‎ F. As for Kibbee, she returned to work and some of her favorite activities.‎ G. The institute added that long-term side effects are unknown, and more studies are needed.‎ 第三部分英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）‎ 第一节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）‎ In 1977, when my family moved into a house in Plainedge, some small unpleasantness gradually developed with our next-door neighbors. It was small, but was enough to create icy tension that lasted for 41 .‎ The 42 was that we wanted our neighbors to trim(修剪) our side of their thick 6-foot high hedges(树篱) on the border. The neighbors did so once, but not after that. A few unfriendly words were 43 , but mostly we ignored each other.‎ About 10 years later, the neighbors, John and Cindy, removed the hedges and put up a 4-foot high chain-link fence. We wanted 44 privacy, so my husband put up a 6-foot high fence parallel to their fence. Our fence was eyesore(碍眼)，and it was a 45 decision on our part. Years passed. The 46 between the two houses remained.‎ After our children grew up in the early 2000s, and life was less busy, we began 47 each other with waves, nods and hellos. Then on Oct. 27, 2017, a superstorm hit Long Island 48 . Trees and wires were down everywhere, and our neighborhood lost electricity for nearly two weeks.‎ We learned that John’s son, Luke, who has 49 need, uses an electrically adjustable bed.‎ ‎ When the power 50 , the bed was stuck in the upright(垂直的) position. Without electricity, they could not 51 it to a flat position. Luke had to sleep in a sitting position.‎ ‎ 52 , we were using a machine to produce electricity. When we heard about Luke’s 53 ,my husband ran an extension cord(电线) from our backyard, over the two 54 and through the neighbors’ windows. The bed was adjusted and the immediate crisis was prevented.‎ John and Cindy insisted on 55 us for the electricity. We refused. It made us feel good to 56 our neighbors. It was a terrible time, but we all 57 it -- and we became much 58 .‎ I 59 the years wasted, but somehow what we share now has a deeper significance. Lately, our ugly fence had begun to lean on their shorter fence; we had it 60 . It was our Berlin Wall finally falling down.‎ 41. A. centuries B.months C.decades D. weeks 42. A. difficulty B.trouble C.damage D. trick 43. A.created B.misused C.exchanged D. mentioned 44. A.complete B.personal C.total D. more 45. A. poor B.firm C.final D. wise 46. A.friendliness B.coldness C.disagreement D. difference 47. A.helping B.trusting C.supporting D. acknowledging 48. A. badly B.repeatedly C.directly D. expectedly 49. A.immediate B.special C.real D. basic 50. A. went out B.broke away C.turned on D. came back 51. A. press B.lower C.move D. pull 52. A.Otherwise B.However C.Therefore D. Meanwhile 53. A.work B.situation C.expectation D. requirement 54. A.walls B.roofs C.doors D. fences 55. A.visiting B.praising C.paying D. thanking 56. A.learn from B.rely on C.help out D. look after 57. A.came through B.thought of C.experienced D. marked 58. A.happier B.busier C.closer D. nicer 41. A.regret B.remember C.celebrate D. value 42. A.replaced B.repaired C.built up D. torn down 第Ⅱ卷(满分50分）‎ 第二节（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）‎ ‎ 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。‎ Bill was walking home Monday 61 he saw smoke rising in the 62 (distant). Notre Dame Cathedral(巴黎圣母院), the beloved landmark in the heart of Paris, 63 (surround) by flames last month.‎ ‎"It’s awful 64 (see) such a symbol disappearing in front of you. It’s been there for so many years and in a few minutes half of it disappears..." Bill told CNN.‎ His words showed the pain and disbelief 65 (feel) by many Parisians as they watched the historic structure burn. CNN reporter Gold said people crowded the banks of the Seine to look unbelievably 66 the scene.‎ Many Parisians, who grew up with the gothic(哥特式) structure, burst into 67 (tear) and 68 (hug) each other as the church gave in to flames.‎ ‎ Katherine Finney, 69 American tourist who has visited the cathedral multiple times,said she and other onlookers couldn’t even understand what was happening at first.‎ ‎"There were lots of people all gathering around. Everyone was really quiet, it’s the ‎ ‎_70 (sad) thing I’ve ever witnessed -- the crowd standing there, a lot of people crying," Finney said. "It was just a horrible tragedy."‎ 第四部分写作（共两节；满分35分）‎ 第一节 短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ 假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。‎ 增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(^ )，并在其下面写出该加的词。 删除：把多余的词用(＼)划掉。修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。‎ 注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；‎ 2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。‎ As is known to us, fewer and fewer students do sports regularly, what makes them weak and easy tired. There are many reasons for this. First of all, some of the students complained that they have too many homework, resulting in less time to take exercise. Beside, some of them think that it is very difficult for them to keep do exercise, because it is a very hard thing. For lack of physical activities, many students are in a poor health. I suggest that our school takes measures to encourage more students to take part sports. For we students, no matter how busy we are, it is necessary to spare some time to do exercise.‎ 第一节 书面表达（满分25分）‎ 学校图书馆需要购置一批新书，现向学生征求意见。假如你是李华，你认为学校图书馆最需要购置国内外经典的文学名著(classical literature)。请你用英语给图书馆王老师写一封信，推荐这类书，并说明推荐理由。‎ 注意：‎ 1. 词数100左右；‎ 2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；‎ 高二年级5月月考参考答案 一、 听力 ‎1-5 BABCC 6-10 AACBA 11-15 ABBAB 16-20 CBBAC 二、阅读理解 ‎21-23 BDC 24-27 CDAC 28-31 ADBC 32-35 BDCA 36-40 EBCDG 三、完形填空 ‎41-45 CBCDA 46-50 BDABA 51-55BDBDC 56-60CACAD ‎ 四、短文填空 61. when 62. distance 63. was surrounded 64. to see 65. felt 66. at 67. tears 68. hugged 69. an 70. saddest 五、 改错 1. 第一句： what 改 which 2. 第一句： easy 改 easily 3. 第三句： complained 改 complain ‎ 4. 第三句： many改much 5. 第四句： Beside 改 Besides ‎ 6. 第四句： do改doing 7. 第五句： a ‎ 8. 第六句：takes 改 take ‎ 9. 第六句：take part 后加 in ‎ 10. 第七句： we 改 us 六、书面表达 Dear Mr. Wang,‎ It’s encouraging news that our school library is going to buy some new books this semester. Could I recommend buying some books on classical literature, both Chinese and foreign?‎ As is known to all, with the fast-paced life and popularization of computers and cell phones, the ‎ enthusiasm for literary reading among young people is decreasing, which has caused widespread concern in public. What’s more, under the pressure of the College Entrance Examination, fewer and fewer students would go to libraries and read a book. Therefore, it’s necessary to take some steps to inspire students’ interest in reading, especially literary reading, so as to enrich their mind and give them some quiet time to reflect.‎ In short, literature is a great spirit treasure-house of mankind. It should not be ignored or even forgotten in this age of materialism.‎ ‎ Yours sincerely,‎ Li Hua 听力原材料：‎ Text 1‎ W: I’d like a pair of shoes for my son.‎ ‎ M: OK. If you are looking for dress shoes, we have different styles for boys. We also carry soccer shoes and tennis boots.‎ ‎ W: Well, he is a football player in the school team. So I want a pair of comfortable shoes for him. ‎ Text 2‎ M: OK, we are all done here. Everything looks fantastic. We will mail the test results to the home address we have on file for you within a week.‎ W: Thank goodness. I thought I was dying. ‎ Text 3‎ W: I’d like to ask the Trumps to come to the party. Do you know their phone number?‎ M: No, but I’d like them to come. I think Michael can give you their phone number. Text 4‎ W: What are you going to do for the weekend?‎ M: It depends. If it’s fine, I’ll go fishing. And if it rains, I’ll stay indoors and do some writing. What about you?‎ W: I am not sure yet. ‎ Text 5‎ M: Hello, Room Service. Can I help you?‎ W: I ordered dinner about forty minutes ago. It hasn’t been delivered yet. ‎ M: We are sorry for the delay, ma’am. Could you hold the line, please? I’ll check your order. ‎ Text 6‎ M: Hello. This is Pierre Cognet. Could I speak to Mr. Robert, please? I can’t get through to him. His mobile phone is powered off. I need to talk with him about the contract. ‎ W: He is in a meeting about the sales. He is occupied all this morning, I think. ‎ M: Ah. Could I leave a message?‎ W: Of course. ‎ M: Could you tell him to call me back at three this afternoon? My number is 331-4776-5821. ‎ W: OK. I’ll tell him you called. M: Thank you. ‎ Text 7‎ W: More and more people are using reusable grocery bags now.‎ ‎ M: They are much stronger than plastic bags, and I can fit more in them, too.‎ ‎ W: Grocery stores like them, too, because they can make money by selling them. ‎ M: What’s more, you can use them for more than one purpose. I heard that only three percent of plastic bags get used again. Imagine all that waste!‎ W: At my local grocery store, regular plastic bags aren’t free anymore. In addition, they take 10 cents off your bill for every reusable bag you bring yourself. ‎ M: It’s great to see we are taking steps to create a greener planet. ‎ Text 8‎ W: What a surprise to see you here, Frank!‎ M: Jane? It’s you, right? I can’t believe it. It’s been almost ten years since we last met. W: Yeah, that was at Lisa’s birthday party. You left for France the following day. So when did you come back to the States?‎ M: Five years ago. I worked in France, got married there, and then after my daughter was born, I came back here with my family. So, what are you up to here?‎ W: Oh, I’m here to pick up my son. He’s in the piano class. What about you?‎ M: I’m here to pick up my daughter. She’s in the dance class. Do you live near here?‎ W: Yeah, just two blocks east. What about you?‎ M: Five blocks west. That’s really shocking. We live just about seven blocks away from each other, and we haven’t met for five years. ‎ W: That’s really something. Oh, there’s the bell! Hey, let me get your phone number before all the kids come out. ‎ M: OK. ‎ Text 9‎ M: What are you doing, Lisa?‎ W: I’m preparing for a history test. Right now I’m going over the important events of Iceland’s history. ‎ M: Why don’t I ask you some questions to help you? I have just finished my paper on math test our teacher asked us to do yesterday.‎ W: That’d be great. Thank you. Here are my notes. M: So when did Iceland ban foreign fishermen from a 200-mile zone beyond its coastline?‎ W: Was it in the year 1973?‎ M: No. It was two years after that. When was the first woman elected president of Iceland?‎ W: I know that. It was in the year 1980. ‎ M: Correct. OK. Now listen. What did Iceland do in the year 2006? A, it ended its 21-year ban on commercial whaling. B, it started its first whale hunt in 15 years.‎ ‎ W: I guess it’s B.‎ ‎ M: No, sorry. It’s A. ‎ W: I guess I’ve got to study more. ‎ Text 10[]‎ W: I’m Rachel from the University of Chicago. I’ve been attracted by happiness most of my life. When I was a small girl, I noticed that though many of the adults around me were wealthy and educated, they were not happy and this sometimes led them to behave in strange ways. As a result of this, I wanted to understand what happiness was and how to achieve it. It was surprising, then, that I decided to study psychology. When I was at university, I tried to discover what made people happy. I started out by studying creative people such as musicians, artists and actors because they were people who devoted their lives to doing what they wanted to do, rather than things that brought them money. Later I expanded the study by inventing a system called the “experience examining method”. Ordinary people were asked to keep an electronic machine for a week which gave out a sound eight times a day. Every time it did so, they wrote down where they were, what they were doing, how they felt and how much they were concentrating. The answers are in agreement with my previous study:like creative people, ordinary people are happiest when concentrating hard. I found that the most obvious cause of happiness is concentration. I have spent my life in studying happiness and now, as I look back, I wonder if I have achieved it. Overall, I think I have, and my belief that I have found the key to its secret has increased my happiness greatly