初中英语九年级上学期期末模拟卷（2）

    We know music is very important in our daily life. Do you notice music playing at any of those places when you go somewhere? Today most stores, stations, restaurants and other places play music. You might even hear music in an office or on a farm.

    Scientists believe that music influences the way people behave. They think that the sound of Western classical (古典的) music makes people feel richer. When a restaurant plays classical music, people spend more money on food and drinks. When the restaurant plays modern music, people spend less money. Without music, people spend even less.

    Scientists also believe that loud, fast music makes people eat faster. Some restaurants play fast music during their busy hours. This makes people eat faster and leave quickly. Restaurants can make more money in this way.

    Some scientists think that music makes you think and learn better. They say that music helps students to be more active. It is true that people learn better when they are relaxed. And listening to music can help you relax.

    The next time you hear music somewhere, be careful. It might influence the way you do things.

    Many students get a driver's permit at 15. In California, they are then allowed to drive for 50 hours under supervision. “Under supervision” means that a friend or relative who already has a license has to ride with them. But what happens when teenagers (persons between 13 and 19 years old) start driving on their own? Many are careful drivers and never have a problem. But many others are not, and they create(造成) problems on the road. Fifteen-year-olds are too young to drive, and sixteen-year-olds are too immature(不成熟的) to start driving alone. In the United States, more teenagers are drilled in driving accidents than in any other way. While fewer than 7% of all drivers are teenagers, teenagers are involved(占；包括) in 14% of the terrible car accidents in the country. Sixteen-year-olds are involved in over 43 crashes in every million kilometers they drive. But seventeen-year-olds cause only about 30 accidents in a million kilometers of driving. One year makes a difference. So the age limit(限制) should be increased.

    We spoke to three students from around the world about different national holidays. There are different customs (习俗) for each festival.

    Tan Xiaodong, 15, Hong Kong, China

    “It'll soon be Chinese New Year. Before it, we'll clean the house and decorate it for good luck. Every shop is going to close for a few days and we'll go out a lot to celebrate in the streets. We might go and see the lion and dragon dances in the city center. I love this festival.”

    Wendy, 16, Sydney, Australia

    “Australia Day is on 26th January and it's an important holiday here. We always have a Monday off, so we celebrate for three days. My parents and I go to the countryside for a picnic and friends always come over. Many people go to beach parties or street parties and there's lots of music and dancing. What fun！”

    Amy, 14, New York, USA

    “The first Thanksgiving Day was hundreds of years ago when Europeans who came to America thanked God for his help. It's still a very important day for families to be together. This year we're going to visit my grandparents and we'll eat a delicious meal of turkey. Thanksgiving Day is on the fourth Thursday in November every year.”

Information Card

注意：文章中必须使用定语从句.

A: Dale, you went to the party yesterday, didn't you?

B: Yes, I did. The party was wonderful! I saw lots of our old classmates.

A: I heard Jim went there, too. Did you see him? He used to be so quiet.

B: We talked much to each other.

A: I remember he was on the school soccer team in Grade Six, wasn't he?

B: Yes, he used to play soccer well.

A: Oh, he's really great at soccer. He also used to play the violin we. Does he still play it now?

B: Yes, he does. I also saw Lily, the tallest girl in our class.

A: Yes, I remember her.

B: Sure, she did. She used to be outgoing and like making friends.

A: Oh, what does she look like now?

B: No. She has changed. She becomes a little thinner than before and she doesn't have long brown hair anymore.

A: So in fact, everybody is changing.