2023届辽宁省阜新二高三下第一次测试英语试题含解析

2023高考英语模拟试卷考生请注意：1．答题前请将考场、试室号、座位号、考生号、姓名写在试卷密封线内，不得在试卷上作任何标记。2．第一部分选择题每小题选出答案后，需将答案写在试卷指定的括号内，第二部分非选择题答案写在试卷题目指定的位置上。3．考生必须保证答题卡的整洁。考试结束后，请将本试卷和答题卡一并交回。第一部分（共20小题，每小题1.5分，满分30分）1．—Heisgoodatalotofthingsbutitdoesn’tmeanheisperfect.—___________Actuallynooneis.A．What’sgoingon? B．Let’sgetgoing.C．Thankgoodness. D．I’mwithyouonthat.2．_____bytheEnglishteacherforthehighgrade,Ifeltmyeffortfinallypaidoff.A．PraiseB．PraisedC．TopraiseD．Praising3．Themanageristryingtofindamantorecommendhowthejob.A．isdone B．bedone C．shoulddone D．todo4．Youthisaperiodofourlifeweseenolimittoourhopesandwishes.A．where B．thatC．what D．when5．TheInternationalMonetaryFundhasreceivedbothcriticismandforitseffortstopromotefinancialstability,preventcrises,facilitatetrade,andreducepoverty.A．worship B．creditC．argument D．privilege6．—Ilikeyournewshoes!—Thanks.Ihadtotryonalmostadozenpairs_________Idecidedtogetthem.A．as B．whenC．after D．before7．Whentheorganization______inMarch,2019,therewasalmostnomoneyinthebankandmorethan$1millionofdebt.A．folded B．boomed C．registered D．sprang8．TheInternetissomuchapartofourculturethatitaffectsourlivesbyactingasa______forface-to-facecontacts.A．preferenceB．motivationC．substituteD．guideline9．IfIcanhelp,Idon’tlikeworkinglateintothenight.A．so B．that C．them D．it10．Thetoughestthingaboutsuccessis________youhavetokeeponbeingasuccess.A．why B．when C．what D．that11．Myunclefinallyboughthisdreamhouse______overlooksabeautifulpark.A．which B．where C．who D．what12．Someexpertsfearthattoo-early________tocomputerswillhaveharmfulconsequencesforchildren’sdevelopment.A．exposure B．extensionC．exhibition D．expansion13．Theyintendedtohavetheschoolbetterequipped，thelocalgovernmentwas notabletogetenoughmoneytodoso.A．unless B．while C．although D．once14．---Whereisyournewhomenow?---Inthenewdevelopedzone.ButI______downtownforfiveyears.A．lived B．hadlivedC．havelived D．wasliving15．Ifthetrafficsoheavy,Icouldhavebeenbackby6o’clock.A．hadn’tbeen B．wasn’tC．couldn’tbe D．hasn’tbeen16．_____atthedifferencesbetweenhercultureandtheirs,Anniewantedtoreturnhome.A．ConfusingB．ConfusedC．HavingconfusedD．Toconfuse17．Soabsorbed________inheryogaexercisesthatshetooknonoticeoftheheavyrainoutside.A．Marywas B．MaryhasbeenC．wasMary D．hasMarybeen18．Manythoughtthatafterstarringintheimmenselypopulardrama,NirvanainFire,HuGewould________andactivelyseeknewroles.A．makeamountainoutofamolehillB．havetoomanyironsinthefireC．strikewhiletheironishotD．D．putthecartbeforethehorse19．Ifhehadbeenworkinghard,he______intheofficenow.However,hedidn’t.A．wouldbeworking B．weretobeworking C．wasworking D．shouldwork20．Rosa_____thiswashingmachineformorethantenyears.Sheisthinkingaboutbuyinganewone.A．isusingB．usedC．hadusedD．hasbeenusing第二部分阅读理解（满分40分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。21．（6分）NEWDELHI—InIndia’sspacecenteronthebarrierislandofSriharikota,thewhite-jacketedscientistsheldtheirbreaths.Thecountry’strustyred-and-whitesatellitelaunchvehiclehadliftedoffmomentsbeforeandblastedintoorbit.ThePolarSatelliteLaunchVehicleC-37wasabouttoperformadelicatemaneuver(操纵，任务)—carefullysending104satellitesintotheheavens,thehighestnumbereverattemptedinonemission.OneIndianspaceanalystontelevisionlikenedthecomplicatedmaneuvertodroppingchildrenatdifferentbusstops.About10a.m.Wednesday,theannouncementcame:Allthesatelliteshadbeensuccessfullylaunched.Thescientistsbreathedacollectivesighofrelief,andbackslappingandapplausefollowed.“Thisisagreatmomentforeachandeveryoneofus.Todaywehavemadehistory,”projectmanagerB．Jayakumarsaidafterward.Thetotalnumberofsatellitesfaroutstripped(超过)thepreviousrecord—37atthesametimesentintospacebyRussiain2014.Wednesday’slaunchwasanothersuccessfortheIndianSpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO),whichisrapidlygainingareputationgloballyforitseffectiveyetlow-costmissions.Indiahadalreadysentupdozensofsatellites,including20inonelaunchlastyear.In2014,IndiabecamethefirstAsiannationtosendaprobe(探测器)intoorbitaroundMars,a$74millioneffortthat,asPrimeMinisterNarendraModinotedatthetime,costlessthanwhatittooktomaketheHollywoodspacemovie“Gravity”.ThefiercenationalpridethatresultedafterthatsuccesssenttheMarsproberocketingontothefaceofthecountry’snew2,000rupee($30)currencynote(钞票)inNovember.“NowIndiaisshowingitscompetitivenessinthe$300billionglobalspacemarket,”saidRajeswariPillaiRajagopalan,headoftheNuclearandSpacePolicyInitiativeattheObserverRearchFoundationinNewDelhi.1、Whatdoestheunderlinedword“likened”meaninthe3rdparagraph?A．contributedB．comparedC．preferredD．tied2、WhatdoesIndia’sPrimeMinisterModiimplyaccordingtothe8thparagraph?A．The104-satellitemaneuvercostlessmoneythanthefilm“Gravity”did.B．Shootingafilmisalwaysmoreexpensivethanlaunchingarocket.C．TheMarsproberocketingischaracteristicofbeinglowincost.D．Allrealexplorationsarecheaperthanvirtualones.3、ThewayIndiaadoptedtoshowthesignificanceoftheMarsproberocketingisequaltothewayChinesegovernmentuse________inChina.A．ChairmanMaoZedong’sportraitB．apictureoftheLong-marchrocketC．apictureoftheThree-gorges(峡谷)projectD．PresidentXiJinping’sportrait4、Itcanbeinferredthatafterthesuccessinthe104-satellitelaunch,Indiawill________.A．becomeNo.1intheglobalspacemarketB．takeupalargermarketshareinthefutureC．showitsabilityamonglocalcompetitorsD．haveanorderof$300billion22．（8分）PeterSkyllberg,aSwedishman,wastrappedinhiscarfortwomonths,withtemperaturesreaching-30oC,withnofoodorwater,andyethesurvived.Thebestexplanationwasthathisvehiclecreatedan“igloo(snowhouse)effect”andprotectedhimfromtheextremelylowtemperaturesandthathisbodywouldhibernate(冬眠)duringthistime.Canhumansgetintoalow-energyconsumptionstatelikeabearbyreservingenergy,andreducingbodytemperature?Chinesescientistsarelookingforthekeytoregulatingbodytemperature.Scientistshavefoundthehypothalamus(下丘脑),anareainthecentrallowerpartofthebrain,isresponsibleforregulatingbodytemperature.WangHong,abrainscientistattheShenzhenInstitutesofAdvancedTechnologyoftheChineseAcademyofSciences,ledherteamtomarktheneurons(神经元)responsibleforregulatingbodytemperatureinmicebymeansofacutting-edgegeneticbiologytechnique.Intheexperiments,theyinjected(注射)drugintomicetomakethebodytemperaturesofthemicedroprom37Cto27intwohours.Theteamfoundthechangeinbodytemperaturecausednoharmtothehealthofthemice.“Wedon’tknowifwecandevelopadrugthatcancontrolhumanbodytemperature.Westillneedalotofstudy.”Wangsaid.Chinesescientistsarenotaloneinsuchresearch.Body-coolingtechniquesarebeingusedinpioneeringhospitalsaroundtheworld.Dutchdoctorsarenowusinglowtemperaturesforpatientswhohavesufferedbraininjuriesinaccidents,AccordingtodoctorsworkinginFlorence,itmayevenhelptosavethebrainsofbabieswhoarebornsufferingfromsevereepilepticfits(癫痫病发作).1、WhydoestheauthormentionPeterSkyllberg?A．Totellanamazingstory.B．Tointroducethetopic.C．Toteachsurvivalskills.D．Toexplain“iglooeffect”.2、WhatdidWangHong’steamfindintheexperiment?A．Geneticbiologytechniquehelpedalot.B．Adrugcouldcontrolhumanbodytemperature.C．Themice’shealthwasn’tdamagedbythechangeofbodytemperature.D．Hypothalamuswasresponsibleforregulatingbodytemperature.3、Howcanbody-coolingtechniqueshelppeople?A．BraininjuriesmaybetreatedproperlyB．Peopletrappedinsnowcansurvive.C．Patientswithepilepticfitswillbecured.D．Medicalaccidentscanbeavoided.4、Thetextisprobablytakenfrom.A．abiologytextbookB．asciencefictionC．asurvivalbrochureD．amedicalmagazine23．（8分）IcanneverforgetthestampincidentwhichhappenedwhenIwasaprimaryschoolpupil.Mybestfriend,Apple,wasastamp—collector.Hetriedeverywaytogetstampsandspenteverypennyhehadonthem.Onceheobtainedabeautifulor

precious

stamphewouldbemorethanhappy.Iwasalwayshiscompanioninhissearchforstamps.OnedayApplewhisperedtomemysteriouslythathehadfoundamostwonderfulstamponaletteraddressedtoouryoung

arithmetic

teacher,whowasaveryprettyandkind-heartedgirl.Applewantedthatstampbadlytheideaofstealingtheletteroccurredtohim.Iwasfrightenedandbeggedhimnottodothat.ThateveningApplehurriedtomyhomeandshowedmealetter.Itwasaman'shandwriting.Inthelettertheman

implored

ourteachertoforgivehimandaskedhertomeethimatthegateofCentralParkateightthatevening.Ifnot,he’dtakeitthatshewouldneverforgivehim,anditmeantheendoftheirrelationship."Theteacheraskedmeiftherewasanyletterforherthisafternoon.Yousee,sheknowsIamastamp-collectorandalwayswanderabouttheplacewherelettersaredelivered.WhenIsaid'No',shelookedrathersad,"Appletoldme.Wewerecompletelyataloss.Toofrightenedtogototheteacher,wedecidedtogotothemeetingplaceourselves.Attheparkgate,wesawatallyoungmanwithglasses,walkingbackandforthasifhewaswaitingforsomeone.Ididnotknowhowlongwehadbeenthere.Finally,themanleft,lookingveryworriedanddisappointed.Afewdayslater,Applerantomewithstampsinhishandandtearsinhiseyes.Hetoldmethatthesewerefromourteacher.Shesaidthatsheoncehadafriendwhowasastamp-collectortoo,butshehadlosthimforever,sothestampsshehadcollectedforhimwerenolongeruseful.…1、HowdidtheauthorfeelaboutApple’splanthatday?A．ExcitedB．ScaredC．AnxiousD．Regretful2、Whydidthemanwritetotheauthor’steacher?A．ToapologizetoherB．ToaskabouttheletterC．ToshowhisforgivenessD．Toendtheirrelationship3、Whathappenedtotheteacherandthemanatlast?A．TheystoppedcollectingstampsB．TheyforgaveAppleC．TheysolvedtheirproblemD．Theybrokeup4、Whatcouldbethemostappropriateendingparagraphforthetext?A．Fromthenon,Applenevercollectedanymorestamps;neitherdidIB．Fromthenon,AppleandItriedtoavoidmeetingthatmanatourschoolC．Fromthenon,themanwouldaskAppletosendmessagestomyteacherD．Fromthenon,myteacherwouldgivetoApplethestampsonallherletters24．（8分）InrecentyearsChineseanimationfilmsandseriesaretryingtobreaknewground.Yetcomparedtoforeigncounterparts,Chineseanimationstillhasalongwaytogo.HerearefournewpopularseriesmadeinChina.LingjianMountainAnimationseriesLingjianMountainwasadaptedfromanonlineChinesenovelofthesamename.TheseriestellthestoryofaboynamedWangLuandhisadventuresonhiswaytobeapowerfulprince.BearingastrongresemblancetoJapaneseanimation,theserieswasadaptedbytwocompaniesfromChinaandJapanandwasalsobroadcastinbothcountries.Theanimationseriesgot7.1pointsoutof10onDouban,oneofChina’smostpopularmoviereviewsites.YearHareAffairTheserieswasadaptedfromnamesakecomicseriesbycartoonistLinChao.TheauthortellsthecontemporaryChinesehistorythroughagroupofcuterabbitsinuniformswhosymbolizethePeople’sLiberationArmy,andimagesofotheranimals.Sometimes,theseanimalswouldtalkwithadialectthatsoundsfunnierthansimplyusingMandarin.Theseriesgot8.5pointsoutof10onDouban.LittleMonkYichanThisisanothertouchingaboutaseven-yearoldmonkYichan,andhismasterAdou’sdailylives.Premieredin2016,theserieshaditsepisode35broadcastrecently.Eachepisodefocusesonacertaintopic,includingfamily,romanceandfriendship.Despitetellingstoriesfromtheperspectiveofachild,theseriestargetsadultsandaimstoprovidesome“chickensoup”toletaudienceslearntobetolerantandgivemorelovetoothers.Theanimationgot9.5pointsoutof10onDouban.HuaJiangHuPremieredin2014,theserieshashadfourseasons.ThestoryisbasedonChinesehistoryduringtheFiveDynastiesandTenKingdoms(907-960),whentherewerecontinuouswarsandfightsamongmanysmallkingdoms.Theseriesgotanaverageof7.9pointsoutof10onDouban.Tothosewhofancyhistoricalstories,theanimationprovidesanotherwaytolearnChinesehistory.Yettheseriesdoesn’tpaytoomuchattentiontohistoricaldetails.1、Accordingtothetext,whichanimationgotthehighestscore?A．LingjianMountain.B．LittleMonkYichan.C．HuaJiangHu.D．YearHareAffair.2、Whatdoestheunderlinedword“resemblance”probablymean?A．popularity.B．difference.C．similarity.D．Attraction.3、Whatcanhelearntfromthetext?A．RecentlyChineseanimationhasdevelopedbetterthanothercountries.B．Allseriesarenotadaptationsfromnovelsonline.C．PeopleinterestedinancienthistorypreferYearHareAffair.D．LittleMonkYichanisintendedforchildren.25．（10分）JOINOURTEAMA．Wanttoworkinmediasales?ThispositionisperfectforagraduatewhowantstostartajobinmediasalesWearelookingforsalesstaffwiththeabilitytoattractnewcustomersinthehighlycompetitiveworldofInternetadvertising.WeofferaveryattractivestartingsalaryTheonewhogetsthisjobwillbecreativeandgoodatcommunicatingwithpeople.PleasesendaCV(简历),recentphotograph,andcoveringlettertous.B．OpenSkiesAleadingadventureholidaycompanyislookingforguidesandinstructorsforanumberofoutdooractivities.Weneedphysicallyhealthyandstrongpeoplewhoenjoybeingwithotherpeople---goodteamworkerswithaninterestincycling,riding,watersports,mountainsportsandotheradventureactivities.Onewillhaveabetterchanceofgettingthisjobifheorshehasexperienceandsuitablequalifications.C．Comeandseetheworld!Recently-formedairlinecompanyrequiresflightattendants.Thesepeoplearegoingtoservepassengersfromdifferentcountriesonourplane.Sowewantourstafftobeofsmartappearance,politeandabletocommunicateinthreeormorelanguages.Startingsalarydependsonexperience.D．VolunteerneededDailyworkincludesteachingEnglish,art,maths,etc…,aswellasleadingeducationalplaygroups.Supportwillbegivenbylocalteachersorprojectstaff?Volunteersshouldbeavailabletostartworknextmonth.Noqualificationsrequired,butpeopleinterestedinthisjobshouldbeoutgoingandbegoodwithyoungchildren.PleasesendaCVandashortintroductionofyourself.1、Whichjoboffersahighstartingsalary?A．JobAB．JobBC．JobCD．JobD2、IfyouwanttobecomeavolunteerinadD,youshould.A．beanexperiencedteacherB．havetherequiredqualificationsC．beabletoworkfromnextmonthD．teachmanysubjectsinaday.3、Whatdothefourjobshaveincommon?A．Theyareallwell-paid.B．Theypreferexcellentgraduates.C．Theyneedworkexperience.D．Theyrequiregoodsocialskills.第三部分语言知识运用（共两节）第一节（每小题1.5分，满分30分）阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项．26．（30分）AWelcomeGiftDarioandhismotherlovedtheirnewapartment.Thelivingroomwaslargeenoughfortheirpiano.Thatnight,thetwoofthem1sidebysideatthepiano.Theyplayedjazzmusictocelebratetheirnewhome.Theloud2filledtheroomandmadethemfeelveryhappy.Thenextmorning,3,theirhappinessdisappeared.Someonehadlefta4undertheirdoorduringthenight.Oneoftheirneighborshadwrittentocomplainaboutthesoundofthepiano.Dario’smotheraskedthebuildingsuperintendent(管理员)ifheknewanythingaboutit.Buthesaidthattheywereall5peopleandhecouldn’timagineanyofthemhaddonethat.Laterthatmorning,Dariosuggestedthattheywritealettertotheir6andapologizefortheirplaying.“Maybewecouldgoand7everyoneinperson.”hismothersaid.“Whatifweinvitedthemtocomeherefora8instead?”Darioasked.Theybothlovedthe9.Overthenextfewdays,theysentoutinvitationsandprepareddesserts10theirguests.Theydecoratedtheapartmentwithstreamers(彩带)andpartylights.Finally,thedayoftheparty11.Someguestsbroughtpresents.Othersbroughtflowers.Someevenbroughtdessertsto12.Onewoman,Mrs.Gilbert,13Dario’smotherwithabookofpianomusicbyChopin.“Iheardyouplayingtheothernight,”shesaid.“Thesoundswokemeoutofbed.I14thatyoumightplaylikethiseverynight.SoIwroteashortnote.Ihopeyoudon’tthinkIdislikedtheplaying.”Dario’smothersmiledatMrs.Gilbert.“Ithinkmaybewe15youanapology.”shesaid.“Ididn’t16howlateitwaswhenwewereplaying.Maybeweshouldplaysomequietermusicatnight.“Youplay,youplay!”Mrs.Gilbertsaid.“Ilikewhatyouplay!Justnotsoloudatnight.”Shepointedtothebookshehadgiventhem.“Thesesongsarenotsuch17music.”“Thesesongsarebeautifulmusic.”Dario’smothersaid.“Wewillbe18toplaythemintheevening.”“Andwewon’tplaysoloudorlate!”Dariosaid.Hewasalreadylookingforwardto19thenewmusic.Morethanthat,however,hewashappytoseethebigsmileonhismother’sface.Itgavehimafeelingof20andmadehimfeelthattheywerehomeatlast.1、A．sat B．stood C．lay D．walked2、A．voice B．ring C．music D．cry3、A．therefore B．however C．otherwise D．instead4、A．note B．poster C．bill D．report5、A．proud B．rich C．lucky D．nice6、A．neighbors B．friends C．relatives D．audience7、A．blame B．instruct C．question D．visit8、A．party B．concert C．show D．play9、A．experience B．idea C．performance D．action10、A．to B．with C．for D．from11、A．continued B．arrived C．passed D．finished12、A．order B．sell C．share D．advertise13、A．treated B．presented C．helped D．served14、A．promised B．admitted C．agreed D．worried15、A．give B．send C．offer D．owe16、A．realize B．remember C．understand D．accept17、A．sweet B．strange C．funny D．loud18、A．brave B．sorry C．happy D．afraid19、A．changing B．practicing C．recording D．writing20、A．equality B．freedom C．warmth D．sympathy第二节（每小题1.5分，满分15分）阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。27．（15分）ThereisatraditioninmyschoolthatwhentheCollegeEntranceExaminationislessthanamonthaway,studentsinthe1．(low)grades,fromSenior1toSenior2,allgathertogetheronthegroundinfrontoftheteachingbuildingandcheerontheSenior3studentswhoarestandingupstairs.Itwasn'tuntilI2．(person)tookpartintheactivitythatIunderstoodthereal3．(mean)ofit.IwasinSenior2atthetime.4．thatspecialnight,alltheSenior3studentsstoodinthecorridors(走廊)andlookeddownattheyoungerstudentsbelow.5．(vary)cheersstartedtoresoundthroughouttheschool,waveafterwave.“Believeinyourself!Youdeservetowin！”6．(see)everyone'ssmilingfacesaroundme,Ithoughtof7．famousquotefromtheAmericanphilosopherHenryDavidThoreau:Whatyougetbyachievingyourgoalsisnotasimportantaswhatyoubecomebyachievingyourgoals.Soonitwillbemyturnto8．(bless)inthisway,9．alsomeansIwillhavetosaygoodbyetomyschool.Sadasitwillbe,beingcheeredonbysomanystudentswillstillbeoneofthebrightest10．(time)ofmylife.第四部分写作（共两节）第一节短文改错（满分10分）28．（10分）假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。Inmymind,Icouldneverfancyhowtensecondoflifecouldchangeaperson’sviewforhiswholeexistence.AfewyearsagoIexperiencetheworstmomentinmylife.Iwasdrivinghomethatafternoon.Unfortunately,Ididn’tmakeithomeasusuallybecauseIhadacaraccident.WhileIwasdriving,allofasudden,butthecarinfrontofmestopped.Mycarimmediatelyranintoit.Luckily,Iwasn’tserioushurt.ThataccidentchangedwayIdriveandtheytaughtmeavaluablelesson.Ialsocametotheconclusionwhichlifeneedstobetreasuring.第二节书面表达（满分25分）29．（25分）假设你是李华，你校广播站正在招收英文编辑，请你根据以下提示，向负责此事的外教Mr.Mark申请这一职位。要点包括:职位要求:1)有很强的英语表达能力;2)关心时事;个人优势:1)有做记者的经历，沟通能力强;2)父亲是一位专职编辑，深受其影响;3)......注意:1)词数100左右。2)开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总词数；3)可适当增添细节以使行文连贯。DearMark,__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Yours,LiHua

参考答案第一部分（共20小题，每小题1.5分，满分30分）1、D2、B3、B4、D5、B6、D7、A8、C9、D10、D11、A12、A13、B14、A15、A16、B17、C18、C19、A20、D第二部分阅读理解（满分40分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。21、Maybenooneforgetstheirfirstbikeandthereisnoexceptiontoawomanlikeme.MinewasaSchwinncoasterbike,second-hand,paintedredandyellowbyitspreviousowner.IrememberridingtoofastdownthebighillonSpringfieldAvenue.Iknewatoncethattheworldwasminetoexplore.Acoupleofyearslater,whenIwas11,mygrandmothervisitedfromEngland,bringingmeabike.Itwasadarkgreenone,withthreegears(齿轮)andhandbrakes.AstheownerofthefirstEnglishbikemyfriendshadeverseen,Iwasalmostfamous.Unlikemycoasterbike,itwaslight—ridingitfeltlikeflying.Irodepastbigstonehouseswiththeirhugeyardsandtrees.Irodepastbrickrowhouses.Irodealoneandwithgroupsoffriends.Thatbelovedbikewentwithmetocollege,carryingmetothelibraryandtoclasses.Beyondtransport,itwasoftenaprop(道具):PushingitalongasIwalkedthecollegepathsmademefeellessself-conscious.Somehow,conversationflowedmoreeasilyoneithersideofabike.Aftercollege,Ilivedabroadforawhile.ReturningfromLondon,Idiscoveredtomyhorrorthatmyparentshadsoldmybike.Foryearsafterthat,Ididn'thaveabikethatwasreallymine.TeachinginaNewEnglandprepschool(学校),Isimplyrodewhateverbikesitsgraduateshadleftbehind.Irodearoundthelittletownonbikeswithgearsandbrakesthatoftenfailed.IdidnottakeanyofthosebikeswithmewhenImovedsouthtothecoastaltownwhereInowlive.ButafterawhileImissedriding.Finally,onafallday,Iboughtabike.Calledacomfortbike,ithaswidertiresthanmyoldbikeandsevengears.Butitisgreen—abrightergreenbike.Still,Iwasabitworried;Iwasalotolder.Ibroughtthebikehomeandputonmyhelmet—I'dneverwornahelmetbefore.ThenIgotonthebike.Afteradifficultstart,IfeltexactlyasIwasonthatlong-agodayonSpringfieldAvenue:free.SoonIwasriding