leaving needles all over the place.

If you count yourself among the reluctant group，then it may be time to go fake (假白勺）.After all, buying an artificial Christmas tree needn, t mean accepting defeat. ThereJ s a huge range of options and sizes, including pre-lit trees, which will save you the frustration of trying to string your own lights.

Another big bonus of choosing an artificial Christmas tree is cost ： artificial trees can last for decades, so they work out cheaper than paying for a real tree every year. Like now retailers (零售商）are offering great

Jdeals at the moment： at Tesco, there s 25 percent off artificial Christmas

trees. Meanwhile, you can take advantage of the current 3 for 2 offer at Argos to fill your house with not one, not two, but three. You may perhaps partner up with friends who are also looking to invest.

Of course, keep your tree for years and years and it will start to pay you back in terms of carbon footprint; however，a “real” one will always have to be transported，used and dealt with every year.

Are there any downsides? Yes. You might think you, re saving the planet, but a fake tree is actually not an environmentally friendly option. Most are made in factories in Asia, resulting in some serious air miles to reach the UK. They’ re made from metal and plastic，and many end their lives in landfill.

英语试卷第5页（共8页）

Another problem with a fake tree is that they don' t look very natural—and of course you won ’ t get that lovely pine smell either. You ’ 11 also need to find space for storage.

32. What does the underlined word “reluctant” in paragraph 2 probably mean? A.

Passive.

B. Related.

C. Unwilling.

D. Supportive.

33. Which is the benefit of buying an artificial Christmas tree?

A. Abundant choices. B. The lovely pine smell. D. Free for transportation.

C. Cheaper than a real one.

34. What can we learn from the passage? A. B. C. D.

Fake Christmas trees are environmentally friendly. British people like to drag a real Christmas tree home. People need to find space to store a fake Christmas tree. People may get 3 more if they buy two fake Christmas trees.

35. What is the passage mainly about? A. B. C. D.

Different reasons for choosing fake Christmas trees. Valuable suggestions on choosing fake Christmas trees. Efficient ways of saving money on choosing Christmas trees. Advantages and disadvantages of choosing fake Christmas trees.

第二节（共5小题;每小题2分，满分10分）^

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。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Most people have practiced some form of hobby at a point in their lives, whether it is some form of sports, playing a musical instrument, creating art, cooking or something else. There are many different reasons and skills for taking up a hobby.

Realize you have more time than you think.

This is probably the one thing that keeps most people back from practicing a hobby. 36 But we waste so much time on social media, television commercials and worrying about life which we could have used to practice a hobby. Schedule some time for a hobby into your day. Plan ahead and just do it. Involve other people.

Why? Well, have you ever noticed that you stick to something longer when you feel that you cannot let another person down? So, get-someone to jog with you, or make music with you, or share recipes with you. Plus, you will inspire them to keep on practicing their hobby. 37 Put your money where

your mouth is. 38

So give out a bit of your budget to your hobby of choice so that

you cannot blame a lack of “materials” for not doing anything. 39

For me, this has been the most important step in going out and doing a hobby. If you jog, decide which races you want to do this year. If you practice music, organize a concert. Find the pleasure in what you do.

As with most things, starting of getting something ready to start can be difficult. But don’ t give up. 40 A. It is a total win-win. B. Work towards something.

C. Think of a hobby that might interest you. D. Others* help will definitely do you good.

E. You think that you don ’ t have enough time to even start. F. The fact is that people spend money where their heart is. G. Once you have started you * 11 find the beauty and relaxation in it.

英语试卷第6页（共8页)

第三部分英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分） 第一节（共20小题;每题1.5分，满分30分）

阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选 项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

For years, our family Christmas feast has consisted of a standing rib

it wasn ’ t

always that way. Before that we 41 a big roast turkey. The 42 changed one Christmas when the bird was placed in salted water in the sink to soak (浸洗)?

roast. But

The bird was a beauty, almost thirty pounds. It would be a true 43 for all. However, due to its 44 size, it was difficult to soak the whole bird. The salted water only came 45 up its body.

Suddenly, my three girls came running out 46 that the bird’ s ghost was there and it was going to get them! Their 47 and I ran into the kitchen to see the “dead bird” jumping all over the place and splashing water everywhere.

My husband approached the bouncing bird with 48 and made a grab for it. It 49 from his hands and fell onto the floor where it continued to bounce. The girls continued to scream while our two dogs started 50 and jumping at the bird. I managed to push them out while their father continued to try to 51 the giant bird. 52 caught in a

comer. It continued to bounce, breast side down, 53 something started poking (束lj) through the

54 of it. A set of whiskers (胡须）and a paw 55 Our little cat Johnny had actually climbed into the open cavity (胸腔）of the bird and was happily 56 his way out.

Of course, we could have removed the cat, washed the bird out and 57 the dinner plans but somehow, none of us wanted to eat 58 after that. We 59 it with a large standing rib roast. Thus 60 the new family tradition. 41. afforded A. 42. form A. 43. gift A. 44. A. tiny B. huge C. proper D. normal B. burden C. feast D. B. tradition C. structure D. regulation sorrow B. required C. washed D. served ，it was