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.

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

阅读下面的短文，然后按要求写一篇150词左右的英语短文。
What my mother does drives me crazy. She calls me at 10:30 pm every night to make sure I’ve arrived home safely. If I accidentally miss her call, she will keep calling all my friends and roommates until she "tracks me down".
As a 20-year-old lady in Beijing, sometimes I have to ask my friends to be quiet so that I can pick up my mother’s phone call, telling her a white lie that I’m already at home.
Recently I ran into a matchmaking meeting, which is held in a park and specifically designed for single white – collar workers in Beijing. The interesting part is that all of the attendees are single people’s parents, eager to look for a life partner for their children.
One mother told me that her 33-year-old son is busy with his career and has zero time to find a suitable girl for himself. So she goes to the matchmaking every week, trying to find her son a perfect bride.
She guaranteed that her future daughter-in-law doesn’t need to worry about anything for she has prepared an apartment and a car for them, and if they can’t find a kindergarten near the apartment she has bought, she will buy them another one. Looking at hundreds of middle – aged parents standing in the cold outdoors in a freezing winter trying to build their children a perfect future, I suddenly understand my mother more.
【写作内容】
1．以约30个词概括这段短文的内容；
2．然后以约120个词就“父母的过分关爱”进行议论，内容包括；
（1）请举一个你或你周围的周学得到父母的过分关爱的事例；
（2）谈谈你对此事的看法。
【写作要求】
1．在作文中可以使用亲身经历或虚构的故事，也可以参照阅读材料的内容，但不得直接引用原文中的句子。
2．作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称。
【评分标准】
概括准确，语言规范，内容合适，语篇连贯。

阅读下面的短文，然后按要求写一篇150词左右的英语短文。

What my mother does drives me crazy. She calls me at 10:30 pm every night to make sure I’ve arrived home safely. If I accidentally miss her call, she will keep calling all my friends and roommates until she "tracks me down".

As a 20-year-old lady in Beijing, sometimes I have to ask my friends to be quiet so that I can pick up my mother's phone call, telling her a white lie that I'm already at home.

    Recently I ran into a matchmaking meeting, which is held in a park and specifically designed for single white – collar workers in Beijing. The interesting part is that all of the attendees are single people’s parents, eager to look for a life partner for their children.

One mother told me that her 33-year-old son is busy with his career and has zero time to find a suitable girl for himself. So she goes to the matchmaking every week, trying to find her son a perfect bride.

She guaranteed that her future daughter-in-law doesn't need to worry about anything for she has prepared an apartment and a car for them, and if they can’t find a kindergarten near the apartment she has bought, she will buy them another one. Looking at hundreds of middle – aged parents standing in the cold outdoors in a freezing winter trying to build their children a perfect future, I suddenly understand my mother more.

【写作内容】

    1．以约30个词概括这段短文的内容；

    2．然后以约120个词就“父母的过分关爱”进行议论，内容包括；

（1）请举一个你或你周围的周学得到父母的过分关爱的事例；

（2）谈谈你对此事的看法。

【写作要求】

    1．在作文中可以使用亲身经历或虚构的故事，也可以参照阅读材料的内容，但不得直接引用原文中的句子。

    2．作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称。

【评分标准】

    概括准确，语言规范，内容合适，语篇连贯。