This Christmas, maybe different from previous years, a strong desire drives me to make my own Christmas gifts. Honestly speaking, I’ve promised myself this more than once. As a crafter (工匠), I’ve frequently thought I am supposed to turn it into action. However, this year I really plan to stick to it. It’s partly because I run short of money. More importantly, I’ve recently returned from an inspiring trip around Britain, collecting some information about crafting for BBC’s Newsnight.

    Actually I planned the trip couples of months ago. The idea of traveling the country — making things as I went, meeting artists and craftspeople — sounded perfect to spend the summer. I’d pack a tent and a sewing machine and I’d set off. But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot. It seemed crazy to camp with winter on the way; Luckily, Newsnight viewers offered me accommodations in return for help with a craft task.

My tasks ranged from sewing worn-out clothes to making trousers. Textile students in Harpenden offered to pay for my petrol in return for a talk about hats. In Derby, Amy needed help to change an old pair of curtains.

I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things. When I asked some people if they could sew, only a few raised their hands. But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.

Craft is definitely popular at the moment. But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again. Perhaps once people rediscover the pleasure to be gained from making something unique, it may stick.

Sue is director of quilts at the V&A, where next spring she’ll be putting on the museum’s first major quilting exhibition. Sue believes the return to crafting is related to how we rethink ourselves. “People, especially women, are beginning to think about the way they live their lives. It’s 40 years since the first women’s liberation(解放) conference was held in Oxford. Since then we’ve been in the workplace, and we’ve had the opportunity of choice. Now we’re carefully choosing to go back into the home.”

Whether you agree with that or not, there’s something about Christmas that brings out the artistic flavor(气息) in everyone. Whether it’s baking bread or pies or decorating the halls or rooms, we’re all prepared to have a try at any time. So if you fancy having a different and joyful party or holiday and making a few presents, try these really simple ideas, each inspired by my recent journey there. They make small and interesting gifts, and take no longer than 30 minutes each. Enjoy Christmas songs and settle down with a cup of hot cocoa, and the cold is gone. You’ll save yourself a small quantity of money and spread a little bit of love, too!

1.Why did the author promise to make herself a Christmas gift this year?

A. She wanted to enjoy a different Christmas.

B. She wanted to make more money.

C. She was inspired by her trip for a BBC TV program.

D. She hoped to present herself with a surprise.

2.The author had her plans carried out and set out for Britain in ______.

A. spring                      B. summer                            C. fall                            D. winter

3.What happened during the author’s trip to Britain?

A. She met many artists and craftspeople on her way to Britain.

B. She spent a whole summer in Britain making crafts.

C. She was asked to sew clothes, and curtains and made much money.

D. Many people showed great interest in making things themselves.

4.According to the passage, people learn to ______ through crafting.

A. be grateful to what they have gained

B. keep up with fashion

C. stick to something interesting

D. know more information about craft

5.What is the author’s opinion on homemade Christmas presents?

A. Making Christmas presents can only convey a bit of your love.

B. People can find their artistic talent in making Christmas presents.

C. A cup of hot cocoa can inspire you to make a creative present.

D. It would take a long time to prepare a homemade Christmas present.

1.      He will r____________（退休）from his directorship next year.

2.      We cannot g____________（保证）the punctual arrival of trains in foggy weather.

3.      The flowers will r____________（复活）in water.

4.      She is a tall, e____________（高雅的）young woman.

5.      They found s____________（遮蔽物）from the storm in a barn.

6.      This incident left a v____________（生动的）impression on me.

7.      We've been working all week without a moment's l____________（休闲）.

8.      You might want to consider t____________（暂时的）work until you decide what you want to do.

9.      The disease was spreading more r____________（迅速地）than expected.

10.   Long complex sentences are d____________（与众不同的）of Henry James's later style.

This Christmas, maybe different from previous years, a strong desire drives me to make my own Christmas gifts. Honestly speaking, I’ve promised myself this more than once. As a crafter (工匠), I’ve frequently thought I am supposed to turn it into action. However, this year I really plan to stick to it. It’s partly because I run short of money. More importantly, I’ve recently returned from an inspiring trip around Britain, collecting some information about crafting for BBC’s Newsnight.
Actually I planned the trip couples of months ago. The idea of traveling the country — making things as I went, meeting artists and craftspeople — sounded perfect to spend the summer. I’d pack a tent and a sewing machine and I’d set off. But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot. It seemed crazy to camp with winter on the way; Luckily, Newsnight viewers offered me accommodations in return for help with a craft task.
My tasks ranged from sewing worn-out clothes to making trousers. Textile students in Harpenden offered to pay for my petrol in return for a talk about hats. In Derby, Amy needed help to change an old pair of curtains.
I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things. When I asked some people if they could sew, only a few raised their hands. But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.
Craft is definitely popular at the moment. But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again. Perhaps once people rediscover the pleasure to be gained from making something unique, it may stick.
Sue is director of quilts at the V&A, where next spring she’ll be putting on the museum’s first major quilting exhibition. Sue believes the return to crafting is related to how we rethink ourselves. “People, especially women, are beginning to think about the way they live their lives. It’s 40 years since the first women’s liberation(解放) conference was held in Oxford. Since then we’ve been in the workplace, and we’ve had the opportunity of choice. Now we’re carefully choosing to go back into the home.”
Whether you agree with that or not, there’s something about Christmas that brings out the artistic flavor(气息) in everyone. Whether it’s baking bread or pies or decorating the halls or rooms, we’re all prepared to have a try at any time. So if you fancy having a different and joyful party or holiday and making a few presents, try these really simple ideas, each inspired by my recent journey there. They make small and interesting gifts, and take no longer than 30 minutes each. Enjoy Christmas songs and settle down with a cup of hot cocoa, and the cold is gone. You’ll save yourself a small quantity of money and spread a little bit of love, too!

1. 1.

   Why did the author promise to make herself a Christmas gift this year?

   1. A.
      She wanted to enjoy a different Christmas
   2. B.
      She wanted to make more money
   3. C.
      She was inspired by her trip for a BBC TV program
   4. D.
      She hoped to present herself with a surprise
2. 2.

   The author had her plans carried out and set out for Britain in ______

   1. A.
      spring
   2. B.
      summer
   3. C.
      fall
   4. D.
      winter
3. 3.

   What happened during the author’s trip to Britain?

   1. A.
      She met many artists and craftspeople on her way to Britain
   2. B.
      She spent a whole summer in Britain making crafts
   3. C.
      She was asked to sew clothes, and curtains and made much money
   4. D.
      Many people showed great interest in making things themselves
4. 4.

   According to the passage, people learn to ______ through crafting

   1. A.
      be grateful to what they have gained
   2. B.
      keep up with fashion
   3. C.
      stick to something interesting
   4. D.
      know more information about craft
5. 5.

   What is the author’s opinion on homemade Christmas presents?

   1. A.
      Making Christmas presents can only convey a bit of your love
   2. B.
      People can find their artistic talent in making Christmas presents
   3. C.
      A cup of hot cocoa can inspire you to make a creative present
   4. D.
      It would take a long time to prepare a homemade Christmas present

The Rockford police chief and some city officials want to install （安装） video cameras in all 100 police cars．They think this will reduce the number of lawsuits （法律诉讼）．In the last five years, Rockford has paid out more than five million dollars to settle about 40 lawsuits．
The chief said, "If cameras had been in those cars．we wouldn't have had to pay one cent． We're always pulling over drunks or drug users who try to fight the police or shoot them．Then they always claim （声称） that the police start beating them first or start shooting at them first．"
The cost of installing cameras will be about $500 each．The city council （委员会） will vote on the proposal （提议） next Monday．Ten of the 13 council members said that they like the idea． One member said that it makes good sense．
The police officers enthusiastically support camera use．One officer said that too many people think the police often lie; cameras would show citizens that police tell the truth．"The money that we've been spending on lawsuits will be better spent on more cameras," said one officer．
Citizen opinions to the idea of police car cameras are mixed．One person, said that the police should have started doing this years ago when video cameras were invented．But an elderly man strongly objected．'These police are trying to stick their nose into everything," he said．He was going to attend the council meeting to condemn the proposal．He hoped that other citizens would join him.
【小题1】We can learn from what the chief said that with cameras on ___．

A．Council members,	B．Police officers．
C．Local people．	D．Drug users．

动词填空（共10题，每小题1分，满分10分）
【小题1】The workers’ demand that their pay ______ （raise） by 10 percent will be discussed at the meeting tomorrow．
【小题2】The man was observed ______ （enter） the room where something expensive was lost, so he was suspected of theft．
【小题3】I intended ______ （phone） you this morning, but I was too busy．
【小题4】We’ve been friends since we met last week． I feel as if we ­______ （know） each other for years．
【小题5】The visiting Minister expressed his satisfaction with the talk, ______ （add） that he had  enjoyed his stay here．
【小题6】Gift in hand, the man returned home cheerfully, only ______ （tell） that his wife had been sent to hospital because of a car accident．
【小题7】______ （compare） prices of the same goods in the two different supermarkets, and you will find most of them are slightly different．
【小题8】A proper approach to ______ （improve） your learning efficiency is of great significance to every student．
【小题9】At the conference, representatives from different countries pointed out that, unless properly ______ （deal） with, the climate situation would get worse and worse．
【小题10】All the students and teachers ______ （seat）, the headmaster began his speech．