We Brits love the idea of a real Christmas tree but not so many of us like the realities of dragging (拖拽) a 7ft Norway Spruce through the house and leaving needles all over the place.
If you count yourself among the reluctant group, then it may be time to go fake (假的) . After all, buying an artificial Christmas tree needn’t mean accepting defeat. There’s a huge range of choices and sizes, including pre-lit trees, which will save you the frustration of trying to string your own lights.
Another big advantage 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 deals 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 (垃圾填埋).
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’ll also need to find space for storage.
1.What does the underlined word “reluctant” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A. Inactive. B. Related. C. Unwilling. D. Supportive.
2.Which is the benefit of buying an artificial Christmas tree?
A. Enough choices. B. The lovely pine smell.
C. Cheaper than a real one. D. Free for transportation.
3.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Fake Christmas trees are environmentally friendly.
B. British people like to drag a real Christmas tree home.
C. People need to find space to store a fake Christmas tree.
D. People may get 3 more if they buy two fake Christmas trees.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. Different reasons for choosing fake Christmas trees.
B. Valuable suggestions on choosing fake Christmas trees.
C. Efficient ways of saving money on choosing Christmas trees.
D. Advantages and disadvantages of choosing fake Christmas trees.
Planning to get away? Think passport first
If you’re planning to get away from it all this year, you should think passport first. Checking you have a valid passport before you book your trip takes minutes but could save you the trouble and cost of not being able to go.
Renewing (更新) your passport before it runs out
You can renew your passport up to 9 months before it can no longer be legally used. So take the time now and save the tears later.
Applying for a passport for the first time
Our eligibility (资格) checks mean that it takes a minimum of one week to issue (颁发) a passport. So make sure you don’t leave it to the last minute, and apply in plenty of time.
Help with your application is just around the corner
Selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents offer a Check and Send service that helps you with your application. It’s convenient and you should receive your passport within 2 weeks.
If you need to apply for or renew a passport, you can either:
Pick up a Passport Application Form at Selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents.
Or call the Application Form Request line on 0901 4700 100 or visit www.passport.gov.uk
If your need is urgent, call 0870 521 0410 for an appointment at one of our offices. We can’t guarantee to see customers without an appointment.
From 14th January a guaranteed same day (passport renewals only) or one week service will be available from passport public counters.
*Calls will be charged 60p per minute and the cost per call should not normally be more than 90p.
*Calls are charged at national rates.
1.When applying for a passport for the first time, you need to know that ______.
A. passports can be legally used forever
B. passports are issued at the last minute
C. application checks take at least one week
D. applications are selected by post office branches
2.According to the passage, you can meet your urgent need by ______.
A. going to the offices directly
B. making a call for an appointment
C. visiting www.passport.gov.uk for a guarantee
D. getting in touch with Worldchoice travel agents
3.What is the passage mainly about?
A. Certain types of passports.
B. Different functions of passports.
C. Advantages of holding passports.
D. Instructions on applying for passports.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Why is Bettina living with the speaker’s family in Porchester?
A. She has a job there.
B. She is studying there.
C. Her father is in hospital there.
2.How did the speaker feel when Bettina first arrived?
A. She was happy to have Bettina stay.
B. She envied Bettina’s good looks.
C. She thought Bettina was hard-working.
3.What do we know about Bettina?
A. She takes care of her father.
B. She often helps in Jade’s house.
C. She works part-time in a cinema.
4.What worries the speaker?
A. Bettina’s dad is badly ill.
B. Her parents disbelieve her.
C. She can’t get along with Bettina.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers mainly talking about?
A. Cartoon characters.
B. Climate change.
C. Pollution control agreements.
2.What encouraged the man to create Mr. Carbon?
A. His dream of making a movie.
B. His concern about industrial pollution.
C. His disappointment at some governments’ inactivity.
3.What has Mr. Carbon done?
A. He has aroused people’s concern about climate change.
B. He has played a role in a disaster movie.
C. He has made a box office success.
4.What kind of person is Mrs. Green?
A. She is climate-ignorant. B. She is an energy saver. C. She is wealthy.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers mainly discussing?
A. The effects of stress.
B. The ways of relaxation.
C. The ideas of healthy life.
2.What does the woman say about computer games?
A. It’s no good playing them long.
B. She feels it hard to play them.
C. Sometimes they’re relaxing.
3.What does the woman suggest the man do?
A. Keep a pet dog. B. Have a good rest. C. Do outdoor activities.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation probably take place?
A. At a station. B. At a theatre. C. At a shop.
2.What does the woman tell the man to do?
A. Add his name to the mailing list.
B. Book the tickets in advance.
C. Get the headphones tomorrow.
