Passage Three

Most students choose “Homestay” accommodation when they study abroad：others select Homestay even if they are not on a study visit.Statistics show that it’s a form of accommodation gaining in popularity all the time.

But what is Homestay? And what makes it so popular?

Homestay means living with a family，or“host family”as we say.There are three ways of doing it：choose to learn English in a language school near to your Homestay location：

have your English classes in the house with a member of the family who is a qualified teacher;

select not to have classes at all when you visit——a popular choice if you want to do the tourist thing for example.

Even in their busy summer period the organizations that arrange the Homestays will always try to place you with the most suitable host family to match your requirements.Placement(安置)organizations think about location，interests，language level，eating requirements，allergies (過敏)and other requests you may have.

Though prices vary according to your needs，good quality Homestay accommodation can be relatively economical--and although you may be charged an extra amount of money if you want your Homestay in or near the city center.Even if you stay further out，you can expect your journey into the center not to exceed 30 minutes.

Not only does Homestay accommodation represent value for money， it also gives you an excellent opportunity to practice English with your host family.This is a very important extra for students who like to speak as much English as possible. But if you plan to learn English，why not have your English classes in your host family. There’s no better way to learn English than this—the perfect combination of learning and accommodation combined with the cultural experience !

第44題單選 Homestay is an ideal choice for students who __________ .

A.plan to visit relatives

B.want to stay at home

C.plan to study overseas

D.want to learn statistics

參考答案：C

第45題單選 Who will consider students’requirements before their Homestay starts?

A.The English teacher.

B.The placement organization.

C.The host family.

D.The language school.

參考答案：B

第46題單選 Which of the following is a key factor affecting the price of Homestay?

A.Nationality of the host family.

B.Eating habits of the host family.

C.Students’language level.

D.Students’specific needs.

參考答案：D

第47題單選 What can be inferred from the passage?

A.The author is in favor of Homestay accommodation.

B.The author is doubtful about the safety of Homestay.

C.The author finds Homestay arrangement complicated.

D.The author finds Homestay accommodation expensive.

參考答案：A

Passage Four

Using 1ess energy around the home is easier than you might think，saving you money while creating a heathier，more comfortable living space for you and your family. Changing a few old habits can make an impact on your energy bill， your comfort and the environment. Here are some handy tips to make your house more energy-efficient.

Lower the heat

If your home has adjustable central heating，lowering the room temperature even slightly can make a difference. You may not feel it，but your wallet will. It is even more advisable to control temperatures at different times of the day.

Hang clothes out to dry

If the weather allows it，head outside and dry your laundry on a clothesline. The sunlight will help eliminate bacteria and dust. While clothes dryers get the job done faster，they also use up energy.By hanging your clothes out you’ll be cutting greenhouse gases by about three kilograms per load.

Take advantage of natural light

Installing large windows on the northern side of your house can help you make use of sunlight’s natural warmth. To stay cool indoors on hot summer days，install blinds(百葉窗) to block the heavy sun.Put your desk near the window，then you don’t need a lamp in the daytime.

Wrap(裹)your pipes

Be sure your hot—water pipes are properly wrapped.In an average home，heating water

accounts for more than one—quarter of the energy bill.Why let warmth go to waste before it reaches you?

Choose the right size for appliances(家用電器)

When the time comes to replace appliances，select those that are both energy—efficient and of the appropriate size for your needs.Don’t buy bigger ones just because you can.

第48題單選 What benefit may using less energy at home bring about?

A.Having a healthier living environment.

B.Improving your work efficiency.

C.Keeping old habits unchanged.

D.Enlarging your living space.

參考答案：A

第49題單選 Which of the following is one of the advantages of hanging clothes out to dry?

A.It may help to build a greenhouse.

B.It helps remove bacteria in clothes.

C.It uses half the energy that clothes dryers do.

D.It gets clothes dry much faster than clothes dryers.

參考答案：B

第50題單選 What can be installed on the northern side of your house to make better use of natural light?

A.Blinds.

B.Curtains.

C.Windows.

D.Shades.

參考答案：C

第51題單選 Besides energy-efficiency，what else should be considered when replacing appliances?

A.Replacing time.

B.Reasonable price.

C.Good quality.

D.Proper size.

參考答案：D