北京中考英语原题(含答案及解析)

/142013年北京市高级中等学校招生考试英语试卷学校姓名准考证号考生须知.本试卷共12页，满分120分，考试时间120分钟。.在试卷和答题卡上准确填写学校名称、姓名和准考证号。.试卷答案一律填涂或书写在答题卡上，在试卷上作答无效。.在答题卡上，选择题用2B铅笔作答，其他试卷用黑色字迹签字笔作答。.考试结束，请将本试卷和答题一并交回。听力理解（共26分）一、听对话，从下面各题所给的A、B、C三幅图片中选择与对话内容相符的图片。每段对话你将听两遍。（共4分，每小题1分）C.C.二、听对话或独白，根据对话或独白的内容，从下面各题所给的 A.B.C三个选项中选择最佳选项。每段对话或独白你将听两遍。（共12分，每小题1分）请听一段对话，完成第5至第6小题。

Whatarethespeakersgoingtodo?A.Tohavelunch. B.Togoshopping.Whenwilltheybebacktoschool?A.By11:30. B.By12:00.请听一段对话，完成第7至第8小题。Howdoesthewomanfeel?A.Alittlenervous. B.Alittlesad.Whereisthewomangoing?A.England. B.America.请听一段对话，完成第9至第10小题。HowisthemangoingtotheCityHall?A.Bybike. B.Bycar.WhereistheCityHall?A.OnParkRoad. B.AtKingSquare.请听一段对话，完成第11至第13小题。WhyisthewomangoingtolearnChinese?Shewantstomeetnewstudents.Shewantstogetbettergrades.ShewantstogotoChina.Whatdoyouknowabouttheman?HeisgoodatJapanese.Hehastoworkhardthisyear.HewilljointheInternationalClub.Whatarethespeakersmainlytalkingabout?Schoollife.Personalinterests.Weekendactivities.请听一段独白，完成第14至第16小题。Howmanypartsarethereintherace?A.Two. B.ThreeWhatdoesthespeakerthinkoftheplayersintherace?Braveandserious.Strongandskillful.Friendlyandhelpful.Whatisthespeechmainlyabout?Whocanentertherace.Whypeoplegototherace.Whatplayersdointherace.C.Todosports.C.By12:30.C.Alittleworried.C.Canada.C.Bybus.C.InLongStreet.C.Six.C.Todosports.C.By12:30.C.Alittleworried.C.Canada.C.Bybus.C.InLongStreet.C.Six.LandingCardName:17YangDateofBirth: 1816th,1978Job:a19Address:No.20WestStreet,NewYorkReasonfortheTrip:tovisita21知识运用（共25分）四、单项填空（共13分，每小题1分）从下面各题所给的A.B.C.D四个选项中，选择可以填入空白处的最佳选项。22.Ican'tfindmypen.Couldyouhelpfindit?A.me B.her C.him D.themLucylivedinBeijingfrom20082012.A.on B.to C.at D.ofWhichdoyouprefer,teacoffee?Tea,please.A.but B.so C.or D.andDebbieisgrowingfast.Sheiseventhanhermother.A.tall B.taller C.tallest D.thetallestyousinganEnglishsong?Yes,Ican.A.Can B.May C.Must D.NeedTom,supperisready.1don'twanttoeat,Mum.I'mnotfeelingwell.A.everythingB.nothingC.something D.anythingTheremanytreesinfrontofmyhousenow.A.is B.are C.was D.Weredoyougotothecinema?Onceamonth.A.HowlongB.Howfar C.Howoften D.HowmuchMr.Green,afamouswriter,ourschoolnextweek.A.visitedB.visits C.wasvisiting D.willvisitOurteacheroftenasksusquestionsingroups.A.discuss B.todiscussC.discussing D.discussedMissLinalotofworkforthepoorareasince2010.A.does B.did C.hasdone D.willdoFlowersalongtheroadlastyear.A.plant B.planted C.areplanted D.wereplanted34.Idon'trememberthebookyesterday.A.whereIput B.wheredidIputC.wherewillIput D.wherelwillput五、完形填空（共12分，每小题1分）阅读下面的短文，掌握其大意，然后从短文后各题所给的 A.B.C.D四个选项中，选择最佳选项。Mystutter（口吃）hadalwaysbeenmuchofaproblem.I'dhadsomanyspecialistsformy35overtheyears.Aslwalkeddownthehallwaytomeetanewone,

memoriespoppedinmyheadofhowpainful（痛苦的） beingakidwhostuttershadbeen.It 36 hurt.“Hello!I'mMrs.Claussen.Ihearyou'refromTexas!""Ye<e-Ye-Yesm-m-m-m-m-m-m-aamIam•••"Myheartfeltlikeitwaspoundingthroughmychestandmyhandsweredrippingwet.Ireallyblewthat 37 .“Well,"shesaidwitha 38 Smile.161'vealwayslikedTexas."SheturnedouttobethebestspeechspecialistI'veeverhad,notlikethosewhotoldmetoclapmyhandswhilespeaking.Shewas 39 .Shespentthefirstseveralweeksjusttalkingtome-askingmeallkindsofquestionsaboutmyself,especiallymyfeelings.Andshe 40 .Shethenbegantoteachmeaboutthespeech.Notjustaboutmyspeech,butabouteverybody's.I41inmyoldschoolandwasaprettygoodtenor（男高音）,butIlearnedthatthenewschool'ssinginggroupwasallfilledup.Itwassuchbadnews,forIthoughtthatwastheonethingIcouldreallydowell-andIcoulddoit 42 stuttering.SomehowMrs.Claussenfinallygotmeinthegroup.Ifeltlikeshereallycaredaboutmeasaperson,notjustaspeechstudent.Duringthenexttwoyears,myspeechdidn'tgetmuchbetter-exceptwithher.WhenIwasincollege,thingsgotworse.IonceevenwonderedifIwouldeverbeableto 43 !Itwasaverydepressingtime,andIoftenfeltalone.WhenIwasfeelingreallysorryformyself,IrememberedMrs.ClaussenhadtoldmewhetherIcould 44 myspeechwasalluptome.Shehadtoldmenottofightforperfectspeech,justbetterspeech.Shewasrightaboutthat.Ifinallyimprovedmyspeechgreatly.Manyyearshavepassed,butIthinkofherfromtimetotime,wonderingifshehadasmuch45 0nherotherstudentsasshehadonme.Iliketothinkthatshedid.HernamewasMrs.Claussen...andshe A.speechA.maybeA.instructionA.shyA.silentA.criednamewasMrs.Claussen...andshe A.speechA.maybeA.instructionA.shyA.silentA.criedA.sangA.againstA.practiseA.trainA.adviceA.continuedB.studyB.evenB.descriptionB.coldB.simpleB.listenedB.spokeB.besidesB.communicateB.shareB.influencetaught46 .I'IIneverforgether.dream D.fearC.stillC.introductionC.weakC.directC.waitedC.playedC.beyondreportC.changeC.dependenceC.agreedneverD.presentationD.kindD.differentD.stoppedD.clappedD.withoutD.replyD.followD.actionD.cared阅读理解（共 44分）六、阅读下列短文，根据短文内容，从短文后各题所给的 A、B、C、D四个选项中，选择最佳选项。（共 26分，每小题 2分）A

PopularArticlesintheMagazineBlacksheepandUncleBobIcecreamandbanking47.Howmanypopulararticlesarethereinthemagazine?teacherinthisinRussia.HeGimrlystorieswhatmakeshiSFilmsthatarenTtreallyaboutCanadaYoucan'tseemuchofCanadainAmericanfilmslikethe1953movieNngar口二Forme,CanadaisaplacethatstartssomewhereontheothersideofthatwaterfallThereisanEnglishwicle.Theteacher^orksexplainswhyhefindsinteresting.HealsotellsuscrwTifiimityspecialMostpeopleinBritainbelievethatit'sagoodideau>savemoney.Thisisanimponantpart[Heculture,oratleastitwasinthepast.►PopularArticlesintheMagazineBlacksheepandUncleBobIcecreamandbanking47.Howmanypopulararticlesarethereinthemagazine?teacherinthisinRussia.HeGimrlystorieswhatmakeshiSFilmsthatarenTtreallyaboutCanadaYoucan'tseemuchofCanadainAmericanfilmslikethe1953movieNngar口二Forme,CanadaisaplacethatstartssomewhereontheothersideofthatwaterfallThereisanEnglishwicle.Theteacher^orksexplainswhyhefindsinteresting.HealsotellsuscrwTifiimityspecialMostpeopleinBritainbelievethatit'sagoodideau>savemoney.Thisisanimponantpart[Heculture,oratleastitwasinthepast.► ■—- 1 -Relaitonbetweenyouandfood"1Doyouliveluedtoreattolive?Whatkindofrelationshipdoyouhavewithfood?ReadthisaniclctofindoutmoreaboutA.2B.3C.4D.548.Whicharticleisaboutsavingmoney?Icecreamandbanking.BlacksheepandUncleBob.Relationbetweenyouandfood.D.Filmsthataren'treallyaboutCanada.D.Filmsthataren'treallyaboutCanada.49.WhatisBlacksheepandUncleBobabout?A.Americanfilms. B.Familystories.C.Food. D.Banking.BIboughtajasmineplantformyoffice.WhenIboughtit,Iwastolditwouldbloom （开花）andthesweetsmellwouldfillmyoffice.Ihadtheplantfortwomonths,andeverydayIlookedatit,butthereweren'tanyflowersorpleasantsmell.Iwasnothappy,soIgavetheplanttomyfriendLinda.Oneday,anotherfriendMarycalledandinvitedmetoheroffice.WhenIwalkedin,herjasmineflowerssurprisedme.Ireachedouttotouchtheflowers.Marycutsomeandgavethemtome.Icouldn'thelpsmellingthem.Surroundedbythesweetsmellofonlyahandfuloftheseflowers,Isuddenlyunderstoodsomething.MaryboughtherplantthesametimeIdid.Ittookayearforherjasminetobloom.Iwassoimpatientforminetobloom。regretfully,Igaveitaway.Inawaymylifeislikethejasmineplant.Ineedtobepatientandletthingshappen.LastSundayLindatoldmethatshewasgoingabroadthenextweek.Beforesheleft,shereturnedtheplanttome.ThistimeIamgoingtowait.Ihavelearnedthatwhenwewantsomethinginourlife,wehavetobepatient.Iamslowlylearningtohavethatpatiencetowaitformyjasminetobloom.Beforeshegavethejasmineaway,thewriterhaditfor .A.oneday B.oneyear C.twoweeksD.twomonthsWhenthewritersawMary'sjasmine,shefelt.A.unhappy B.peaceful C.hopeful D.surprisedWhathasthewriterlearnedfromherexperience?Patienceisneededinlife.Flowerscanmakelifebetter.Friendshipisnecessaryforus.Jasminecanbeawonderfulplant.CAssertivenessistheabilitytoconfidentlyexpressyouropinions,feelings,attitudes,andrights,inawaythatdoesn'tinfringe（侵3日） therightsofothers.Manyofusaretaughtthatitisnotnicetoconsiderourownneedsabovethoseofothers.Ifsomeonesaysordoessomethingthatwedon'tlike,weshouldjustbequietandtrytostayawayfromthatpersoninthefuture.WhyisAssertivenessimportant?Ifyoudon'tknowhowtobeassertive,youmightexperience:?Depression-Anger,asenseofbeinghelpless,hopeless,orofhavingnocontroloveryourlife.?Resentment-Angeratothersfortakingadvantageofyou.?Frustration-WhydidIallowthattohappen?Mostpeoplefinditeasiertobeassertiveinsomesituationsthaninothers.Thismakesperfectsense.It'saloteasiertoholdyourgroundwithastrangerthanwithsomeoneyoulove.But

themoreimportanttherelationshipistoyou,themoreimportantitistobeassertive.Assertivebehaviorleadstoincreasedrespectfromothers!Butbeforeyoudecidetoactassertively,youhavetodecideifyoucanlivewiththeresults.Althoughassertivebehaviorusuallywillresultinapositiveresponse（积极的回应）,somepeoplemightreactdifferently.Howtobeeffectively（有效地） assertive:?Use"I"statements.Keepthefocusontheproblemyou'rehaving."I'dliketobeabletotellmystorieswithoutinterruption."insteadof"You'realwaysinterruptingmystories!"?Usefacts,notopinions."Didyouknowthatshirthasahole?"insteadof"You'renotgoingoutlookinglikeTHAT,areyou?"?Expressownershipofyourthoughts,feelings,andopinions."Igetangrywhenhebreakshispromises."insteadof"Hemakesmeangry."?Makeclearanddirectrequirements.Don'tinvitethepersontosayno."Willyouplease?"insteadof'Wouldyoumind...?"or"Whydon'tyou...?"?Keeprepeatingyourpoint.Usealowlevelandpleasantvoice.Don'ttrytoexplainyourself.Thewriterprobablyagreesthat.youshouldconsiderothers'responsebeforeyouactassertivelyyoushouldbeassertiveifyouwanttogetgoodmarksassertivenessistheabilitytoinfringeothers'rights .assertivebehaviorwillbringyoubadfeelingsTheexpression"holdyourground"probablymeans""reachanagreementinsistonyourpointkeepyourwordkeeponfightingWhichofthefollowinghelpsyoutobeeffectivelyassertive?Explainingyourselfinasoftandsweetvoice.Expressingownershipofothers'thoughts.Makingrequirementsdirectlyandclearly.Usingyouropinionsinsteadoffacts.DThewillfulblindnessinhockeytowardconcussions（头部撞击Thewillfulblindnessinhockeytowardconcussions（头部撞击）hasdropped.HockeyCanadahasfollowedtheleadofUSAHockeyinpreventingbodychecking（身体拦截）belowage13.AbadheadinjuryofSidneyCrosby,thehockey'sgreateststar,openedtheeyesofhockeypeopleeverywhere.Thiscountry'schildrenhavebeenfacingsimilardangeratearlyages,andHockeyCanadahadtodealwithadeepworryinthemindsofCanadianstomaketherulechange.ThelikingforbodycheckingfromanearlyageispartofwhatmakesCanadianhockeywhatitis.Thechangeinrulesshouldbetakenasachancetodrawspecialattentiontoskilldevelopmentinanenvironmentfreeofdanger.Itmayalsocontrolthelossofthousandsofyoungplayerswhodon'tenjoythatenvironment.Foryears,manyCanadianhockeyparentsandcoacheshaveinsistedthatbodycheckingatearlyagesisnecessarytoensurethatplayerscandoitsafelyatolderages.Trueornot,theremaybeasaferwaytoteachhittingthantomakeyoungerplayerspayapriceforitinheadinjuries.WhenUSAHockeychangeditsrulesforthe2011-2012season,italsocreatedbodychecking-educationprogramsthatwillbemandatory（强制的）forallcoaches,includingthoseteachingplayersinthepre-checkingages.Anditbegantoencouragemore"touch"-withoutrealbodychecking-from9t012.Italsomadetherulesfor13andupstricter.TheUSAistryingtoshowthatit'spossibletoteachhockeyprotectiveskillswithoutputting11and12-year-oldsingreaterdanger.It'sworththetry.HockeyCanadahastakenseriousstepstodoawaywithhitsonthehead.However,it'shardtochangeasportsculturesoconnectedwithwhoweareasacountry.Toooften,bodycheckinghasbeenusedtotrytoseparateaplayerfromhisheadratherthanfromtheball.Childrenwerepayingapriceforthiscountry'sloveofthegame.TherearealwayschangesinCanada'sgame,andthechangeinthebodycheckingagesendstheclearestmessageyettocoachesandparentsthatplayersafetyisparamount（至上的）inthegame.WecantellthattheproblemofbodycheckinginCanada .iscontrolledstrictlyistakenmoreseriouslynowC.iscausedbyplayers'carelessnessD.isconnectedwithplayers'interest57.WhatdoesthewriterwanttotellusinParagraph2?A.Thesafewaysofcontrollingtheloss.Thestepsofdrawingspecialattention.Thepossibleresultsofchangingtherules.D.Themethodsofimprovingtheenvironment.58.Whatcanwelearnfromthepassage?TheUSAfoundasaferwaytoteachbodychecking.Bodychecking-educationprogramsintheUSAaresuccessful.Bodycheckingisagoodwaytovalueplayers'skillsintheUSA.TheUSAhastriedtocreateanenvironmentoflessbodychecking.59.Whatisprobablythebesttitle'forthispassage?Whichismoreimportant?Howdowechangetherules?Whyishockeyadangerousgame?D.Whenshouldbodycheckingbeprevented?七、阅读短文， 根据短文内容， 从短文后的五个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。 选项中有一项为多余选项。（共 8分，每小题 2分）TimetoDance

Areyouthekindofpersonwholikestomovewithmusic?It'sanaturalthingtodo.Evenlittlechildrenstartjumpingupanddownwhentheyhearmusic.Scientistssaythatanimalsdance,too60.The"dances"ofanimalssendmessagestootheranimals.Butwhenpeopledance,theyexpressfeelingsaboutlifeandlove,orabouttheseveryhumanexperiences.Dancesaregoodforyouinmanyways.Foronething,dancingisgoodforyouphysically.Itmakesyourheartworkandmakesyoubreathefast.61.Ifyougodancingoften,youcankeepphysicallyfit.Youmayfeelverytiredafterdancing,butyou'lprobablyalsofeelrelaxedandhappy.Thisisanotherimportantpointaboutdancing.Itgivesyouachancetoexpressyourfeelingsandfeelbetteraboutyourself62,dancinghelpsthosefeelingsgoaway.63Somedancesareforcouplesandsomeareforgroups.Butallkindsofdancesgiveyouachancetomeetnewpeopleortodosomethingenjoyablewithfriends.ButtheirdancingisdifferentAndfinally,it'sasocialactivityIfpeoplelikedancingverymuchIfyouareangryorupsetaboutsomethingItalsomakesyouuseyourarmsandyourlegs八.阅读短文根据短文内容回答下列各题（共10分，每题2分）Campinginyourbackyardisfulloffun,whateveryourage.It'sgreatforkeepingusrelaxed.Itofferschancestocheckthenightskyandtobenoisierthanusual.Itletsushavefriendsovertostaywhomightnotfitinsidethehouse!Followtheseinstructionsandyou'llhaveanightyouneverforget!Putupyourtent.Dependingonthenumberoffamilymembersandguests,youmayneedmorethanonetent.Tellyourfriendstobringtheirtentsifneeded.FollowtheinstructionsorcheckoutthearticlesonhowtoputupatentontheInternet.Prepareyourbedding.You'IIwantyourgueststobeabletorelaxincomfort.Putsomethingsofttolieononthefloor:Ablow-upairmattressorthickcomfortersmayworkwell.Fillthetentwithsofttoysandblankets（毯子）.Havelightweightsleepingbagsorcottonblankets.Theyareespeciallyimportantifyoulivewherethenighttemperaturesdropgreatly.Prepareaseatingarea.Ifyouhaveapicnictable,thatwouldworkbest.Ifnot,setupafewchairsandasmalltabletosetoutdrinksandfood.Asimplechoiceistolayoutablanketinthesun,sothatyourfriendsmattressmattresscaneatandtalk.Besurethegrassisn'twet!Makememories.Plansomeactivities.You'recampinginthebackyard,soit'stimetomakethemostofbeingoutdoors.Haveacameranearbytotakesillyphotosofyou,yourfamilymembers,andyourfriends.Takeonelargegroupshotwitheveryonesmilingandlaughing.Besuretomakecopiesforeveryone!.Iscampinginthebackyardgreatfun?.Whatcanwedotohelprelaxourguests?.Whatisasimplechoicetoprepareaseatingarea?.Howdowemakememories?.Whatisthepassagemainlyabout?书面表达（共 25分）九、完成句子（共 10分，每小题 2分）根据中文意思完成句子。.你最好买一本英语词典。 buyanEnglishdictionary..我爸爸过去常常开车上班，现在坐公交车了。Myfather gotoworkbycar,butnowhetakesthebus..大家正盼望着暑假呢。We thesummerholiday..我一读完这本书就还给你。Iwillreturnthebooktoyou it..北京园博园每天下午六点才关门。BeijingGardenExpoParks sixo'clockintheafternooneveryday.十、文段表达（ 15分）根据中文大意和英文提示词语，写出意思连贯、符合逻辑、不少于 60词的短文。所给英文提示词语仅供选用。请不要写出你的校名和姓名。.上学期间，学校的某些场所一定给你留下了美好的记忆，如教室、阅览室、操场等。某英文报纸正以 “MyFavouritePlaceatSchool为题征文，”请你投稿。 描述一个你最喜欢的地方，并请说明原因。提示词语： classroom,reading-room,playground,bright,quiet,large,help,improve2013北京中考英语试卷答案解读（仅供参考）单项选择A考查人称代词B考查介词词组 fromtoC考查连词 orB考查比较级A考察情态动词 canD考查不定代词 anything用于否定B考查therebe句型C考查特殊疑问词用法， howoften表频率D考查时态，一般将来时B考查动词不定式， ask sbtodosthC考查时态，现在完成时D考查被动语态A考查宾语从句，陈述语序完形填空：答案：35-39ACCDD40-44BADBC45-46BD完形文章出自美国德克萨斯周杂志 TheStaff,题目标题为"HerNameWasMrs.Claussen-AndSheCaredbyDr.LeeReeves继续保持连续六年的出题风格” ——选材源于英美原版文章，对文化差异性的把控和理解要求较高A根据文章开头告知作者存在的问题 口吃”和第五段第一句话中的 speechspecialist可知答案为speechC根据第二段可知，目前问题还没有解决，所以这种痛苦仍然困扰我C根据本段开头引号中的话可知，那是一段自我介绍D根据第五段对这个老师的描述 “bes何知，作者认可了这个老师，所以语意一定是积极向上且赞扬的D根据上一句 “notlikethose。。。 ”可知这个老师状况和其他老师不一样B根据前文 and可知表顺承关系，根据上一句她一直问我不同的问题，然后听我回答A根据本段第一句后的 "tenor（男高音）"和"singinggroup可知答案为唱歌D根据前文 “Icoulddoitwell可知作者在唱歌这件事情上可以不口吃”B根据本段前两句话可知，作者一开始说话还是不利索，甚至一度怀疑自己无法交流C根据本段最后一句话可知，最后作者的语言能力有了一个较大的提升，对比之前语法能力不好，可知我的语言老师告诉我是否我能改变语言能力完全取决于我B根据本空前后 “a。。。s as”短语和前文中这个老师对我所起的积极影响可知答案D根据全文可知，作者一直强调他的老师十分在意她教授的学生，可知填 care黑体为考试的时候要填的词 ,也就是答案 .附原文： HerNameWasMrs.Claussen-AndSheCaredbyDr.LeeReevesAsIwalkeddowntothecounselor'soffice,Ithoughttomyself,"Whatwillshebelike"Willshebeoldoryoung?Prettyorugly?Willshecare?"Ohwell,Ifigureditdidn'treallymatter,anyway.I'dhadsomanyspeechtherapistsovertheyearsI'dlostcount.Anotherschool,anothertherapist.IwonderedwhyIevenbotheredtogo.Mystutteringseemedtobejustasmuchofaproblemnowasitalwayswas,andbesidesIhatedtomissP.E.HowdidtheyfindoutthatIstutteranyway?Thelastschoolmusthavesentmyrecords.ItwasprettyhardtohidethewayItalked.AsIwalkeddownthehallway,memoriespoppedinmyheadofhowpainfulbeingakidwhostuttershadbeen.Memoriesofhowthekidsusedtocallme"MotorMouth,"andoftheteacherwhoaskedmeifIhad"lock-jaw."Itstillhurt.ThepainwelledupinsideasIroundedthelastcornertowardtheoffice."Don'tstartgettingweakkneesnow,"Iwhisperedtomyself.IwonderedwhyIdidn'tstutterwhenIwhispered,orwhenItalkedtomyself.AtanyrateIwassixteenyearsoldandajuniorinhighschool-timetogutup.Timetomeetthenewone!"Hello!I'mMrs.Claussen.Ihearyou'refromTexas!"ShemusthavethoughtIwasalittleoffmyrockerasIstoodtheregawking,withmymouthwideopenandmyfaceredasabeet.Shewasreallypretty!Andshewasyoung,too!"Ye-Ye-Ye-Yesm-m-m-m-m-m-m-aamIam,"Ifumbledout.Myheartfeltlikeitwaspoundingthroughmychest,mypalmsweredrippingwet,andIwastenseallover.Ireallyblewthatintroduction,andfiguredsheprobablythoughtIwasagoofball."Well,"shesaidwithakindsmile,"I'vealwayslikedTexas."Mrs.ClaussenturnedouttobeoneofthebestspeechtherapistsI'veeverhad.NotliketheoneinSanAntoniowhotoldmetotapmytoesoIcouldtalktoarhythm.Thatwasthebeginningofthelongestlistofcircusanticsanyonehaseverseen.Thattoetapdevelopedintoafootstomp,ahandpound,asquintedeye,aheadjerkandvariousother"helpers."Mrs.Claussenwasdifferentthough.Shespentthefirstseveralweeksjusttalkingtome-askingmeallkindsofquestionsaboutmyself-aboutfeelings-aboutwhatIthoughtIdidwhenIblocked.Andshelistened.Shebegantoteachmeaboutthefundamentalsofspeech.Notjustaboutmyspeech,butabouteverybody's.Mrs.Claussentaughtmeabouttechnicalthings,likecircumlocution(afancytermforavoidingwords).Andshelistened.Isanginthechoirallofmyschoolcareerandwasaprettygoodtenor.AtmyoldschoolIwasinthetopconcertchoir,butwhenmyfamilywastransferredIlearnedthatthenewschool'schoirwasallfilledup.Itwassuchadisappointment.IfeltlikethatwastheonethingthatIcouldreallydowell-andIcoulddoitwithoutstuttering.SomehowMrs.Claussenpulledsomestrings,rearrangedmywholeschedule,andgotmeinthechoir.Ifeltlikeshereallycaredaboutmeasaperson,notjustaspeechstudent.DuringmylasttwoyearsofschoolIcouldn'treallysaythatmyspeechgotmuchbetter-exceptintherapy.SheexplainedthatmyincreasedfluencyintherapywasbecauseIwassorelaxed,andIknewthatshedidn'tcareifIstuttered.IremembersayingthatIwishedthewholeworldwasabigtherapysession.Welaughed!Mrs.ClaussentoldmethatwhenIlefthighschoolandwentofftocollegethatmyspeechwouldprobablygetworseforawhile.Shewassureright.Thingsgotconsiderablyworse.IwonderedifIwouldeverbeabletocommunicate.Itwasaverydepressingtime,andIoftenfeltalone.OnedaywhenIwasfeelingparticularlysorryformyself,IrecalledsomethingthatMrs.Cl