长春市第十一中学新高考英语四模试卷及答案解析

长春市第十一中学新高考英语四模试卷注意事项1．考生要认真填写考场号和座位序号。2．试题所有答案必须填涂或书写在答题卡上，在试卷上作答无效。第一部分必须用2B铅笔作答；第二部分必须用黑色字迹的签字笔作答。3．考试结束后，考生须将试卷和答题卡放在桌面上，待监考员收回。第一部分（共20小题，每小题1.5分，满分30分）1．Thiswinter,oneofthelargest______snowstormshitmanyareas.A．recording B．recordedC．beingrecorded D．torecord2．I’dneverwonderedbeforewhetherornothewaskid-friendly.Withoneglance,Iquicklythatheprobablywasn’t.A．agreed B．reportedC．explained D．decided3．----Therewon’tbeanywheretopark.----Oh,_______.Let’strythesubway.A．that’sarealbargainB．that’sagoodpointC．that’sreallysomethingD．that’sallsettled4．I'veheardthatpreparations______forthecomingfestival.Let'sgivethemahand.A．arebeingmade B．havebeenmadeC．aremaking D．havemade5．publicbicycleswithamobileappismoreconvenientforusers.A．TounlockB．UnlockC．UnlockedD．Unlocking6．Wehavebroughtinagoodgrainharvestforthreeyears_________.A．onpurpose B．onend C．onduty D．onwatch7．WithMother'sDayaroundthecorner，Ihavetakensomemoneyoutofthebank_____________presentsformymother.A．buy B．tobuyC．buying D．havingbought8．Threedaysaftertheaircraftwentmissing,aninternationaleffort________shipsandplaneshasn'tfoundanywreckage,________growingfrustrationforthefamiliesofthe239peopleonboard.A．involved;causing B．toinvolve;causedC．involving;causing D．involving;havingcaused9．Membershipofthisclubisopentothosewhoareitsaim.A．insalutetoB．inhonourofC．inlinewithD．insympathywith10．Theinfrastructureofacountryis________makeseverythingrunwell,includingthingsliketransport,irrigation,electricityandschools.A．whichB．thatC．whereD．what11．Thesameboilingwatersoftensthepotatoandhardenstheegg.It’sabout________you’remadeof,notthecircumstances.A．that B．whatC．how D．who12．Thehealthofgardenplantsdependsonthesoil_____--theproperbalanceofmineralpieces,organicmatter,airandwater.A．constructionB．conservationC．corporationD．composition.13．Don'tdefendhimanymore.It'sobviousthathe________destroyedthefenceofthegardenevenwithoutanapology.A．accidentallyB．carelesslyC．deliberatelyD．clumsily14．Wesellalotofproductsoffshoreandtheopportunitytoopenupmarketsinregions________wedon'tcurrentlysellalottoisagreatone.A．where B．thatC．what D．when15．–MyTVsetdoesn’twork,thewatertapisdrippingandmycarisstillunderrepair!–Yousure________badluckthesedays.A．had B．willhave C．hadhad D．arehaving16．Shewassuchaproudpersonthatshewoulddieshewouldadmitshewaswrong.A．sinceB．whenC．unlessD．before17．Generallyspeaking,________accordingtothedirections,themedicinehasnosideeffect.A．whentakenB．whentakingC．whentotake D．whentobetaken18．—Therearen’tanytoysinoursuitcase．Wherehaveyouputthem?—Oh,no．Thatoldladysittingnexttous______havetakenoursbymistake.A．must B．could C．should D．would19．Theroom______10metresacrossislargeenoughforasinglemantolivein．A．measuring B．measures C．tobemeasured D．measured20．Weshouldbearinmindthatsocialdevelopmentandbalanceofnatureshouldgoin.A．company B．sympathy C．association D．harmony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）IdroveataxiforextramoneyeastofTorontothirtyyearsago.EachtimeataxidroveuptothefrontoftheGreenwoodRacetrack,agroupoflocalkidswouldrunalongthesidewalkanglingforpositionbythepassengerdoor.Oneluckykid,orrather,themostaggressiveone,wouldopenthepassengerdoorandsay“Goodluck,Mister!”Themangettingoutofthecabwouldvaguelysaythanksandthrowthekidaquarter.Itwasaroutineeverybodyknew.Throughoutthesummer,onekidcaughtmyeye.Hewasbiggerthanmostofalltheotherkidsbutpushedawaybyeventhesmallest.Henevermadeitbutnevergaveup.Oneday,hischancearrived.AsIwaspullinguptothesidewalk,allthekidswerepushingforacabjustaheadofmine.Theboysawmeandwalkedtowardmytaxi.AsIpositionedthepassengerdoorrightbesidehim,heneverpausedandopenedthepassengerdoor,warmlysaying,“Goodluck,Mister!”Butthemanneithersaidthanksnorflippedhimaquarter.Hepushedhimasidesohardthattheboyfellonthesidewalk.Iknewithurthimbadly.Igotoutinlessthan10seconds,butthemanwasgoneinthecrowd.SoIlookedforthekid.Idecidedtogivehim$20fortheeffort.BythetimeIspottedhimhewasfarupahead,walkingawayintheoppositedirectionthroughthecrowdandhisheadhangingdown.WhenIgotthecabturnedaroundIlostsightofhim.Ineversawhimagain.I’dliketofindhimonedayandtellhimthatifonlyhehadstuckaroundalittlelongerIwouldhavegivenhimawhole$20.Ilearnedfromthiskidthatwhenthingsseemsohopelessthatyouarereadytogiveup,it’sthetimewhenthingsaremostlikelytoturnaroundforyou.1、Whatcanwelearnfromthefirstparagraph?A．Thepassengerwasreadytogiveatiptothekid.B．Theauthorwasaprofessionaltaxidriveratthattime.C．Theluckychildwasthetoughestamongthelocalkids.D．Thedriverwouldworkwithandbenefitfromthosechildren.2、Whydidthekidneversucceedinopeningthepassengerdoor?A．Hewasmodest.B．Hewastheshortest.C．Hemadenoeffort.D．Hepushedhisway.3、Whydidtheauthorgetoutofhistaxi?A．Tocatchupwiththekid.B．Toencouragethedisappointedkid.C．Togivethekidsomemoney.D．Tointendtodemandthetipforthekid.4、Accordingtothepassage,whichgoeswiththeauthor’sintention?A．Nevergiveintodifficulties.B．Sunshinecomesafterastorm.C．Faceuptocompetitions.D．EachroadleadstoRome.22．（8分）Whenyou’rehavingahardtimewithyourhomeworkorwhenyou’repreparingforyourtermpaper,thesestudent-focusedwebsitescanhelpyouwithjustaboutanythingyouneed.Thekeytogettingthemostoutoftheseonlineresourcesistoknowhowtheycanbestbeusedtoyouradvantage.FacebookAlthoughFacebookcanbeoneofyourbiggesttime-wastersanddistractionswhenyouaresupposedtobegettingworkdone,itcanalsobeoneofyourmostvaluableresources.MostofyourclassmateswillprobablyhaveaFacebookaccount,soanyoneyouneedtoconnectwithaboutaclassyoumissedoraboutaproblemisusuallyjustafewclicksaway.SparkNotesWithafreelibraryofhistorytimeline,philosophystudyguidesandlibrarysummaries,SparkNoteshascoveredjustaboutanyreading-relatedjamyoufindyourselfin.Justrunasearchforthebook,play,orshortsummaryofthematerialyouaresupposedtoread.ADoyoufinisheverytermwithmanyexpensivetextbooksyouwillneveropenagain?Insteadoflettingthemoneyspentgotowaste,getbacksomeofyourcashbysellingyourbooksonAmazon.RateMyPChoosingnewclassescansometimesbeliketryingtopickoutyourclothesinthedark,atotalguessinggame.Whichteachergivesoutthehardestproblemsets?Howmuchhomeworkwillthathistoryprofessorgiveyoueveryweek?AtRateMyP,studentsalloverthecountryratetheirprofessorsonquality,helpfulness,andhowhardtheirclassesare.WikipediaWhileWikipediaisn’taimedspecificallyatstudents,itisdifficulttothinkofanotherwebsitethatdoesmoretoreducethepainofpaperwritingandresearching.Wikipediagivesyouaquickwaytofindsourcesandgetthedetailsofalmostanytopicyouneedtoresearch—allwithoutwalkingtothelibrary.1、Thepassagewasmainlywrittento.A．explainsomewebsitesforparentsB．comparesomeeducationalwebsitesC．introducedifferentpartsofawebsiteD．offersomewebsitesthatmayhelpstudents2、Whileyouaretakinggreatpainstowritearesearchreport,canmostprobablybeahelp.A．FacebookB．SparicNotesC．AD．Wikipedia3、RateMyPisaplace.A．whereyoucanmakefriendsalloverthecountryB．whereyoucancommunicatewithyourprofessorsC．thatgivesyouinformationaboutprofessorsinadvanceD．thatgivestipsonhowtogetalongwithyourprofessors4、Whichofthefollowingwillyoumostprobablyreferto,ifyouneedbriefideasordiscussioninreading?A．Wikipedia.B．Facebook.C．SparkNotes.D．A.23．（8分）Lastweek,EducationSecretaryArneDuncandeclaredwaronpapertextbooks.“Overthenextfewyears,”hesaidinaspeechattheNationalPressClub,“textbooksshouldbeabandoned.”Intheirplacewouldcomeavarietyofdigital-learningtechnologies,likee-readersandmulti-mediawebsites.Suchtechnologiescertainlyhavetheirplace.ButSecretaryDuncanisthreateningtolightafiretoatried-and-truetechnology—goodoldpaper—thathasbeenthefoundationforoneofthegreateducationalsystemsontheplanet.Andwhilee-readersandmulti-mediawebsitesmayseemappealing,theideaofreplacinganeffectivelearningplatformwithawidelyhyped(炒作)butstillunprovenoneisextremelydangerous.Anexpertonreading,MaryanneWolf,hasrecentlybegunstudyingtheeffectsofdigitalreadingonlearning,andsofartheresultsaremixed.SheworriesthatInternetreading,inparticular,couldbesuchasourceofdistractions(分散注意力)forstudentsthattheymaycanceloutmostotherpotentialbenefitsofaWeb-linked,e-learningenvironmentandwhileit'struethatthehigh-techindustryhassponsoredsubstantialamountsofresearchonthepotentialbenefitsofWeb-basedlearning,notenoughtimehaspassedforlongitudinal(纵向的)studiestodemonstratethefulleffects.Inaddition,digital-readingadvocatesclaimthatlightweighte-booksbenefitstudents'backsandsaveschoolsmoney.Buttherollingbackpackseemstohavesolvedtheweightproblem,andtheshockingcoststooutfiteverystudentwithane-reader,providetechnicalsupportandpayforregularsoftwareupdatespromisetomakethee-textbookaverypriceychoice.Asbothateacherwhousespapertextbooksandastudentofurbanhistory,Ican'thelpbutwonderwhatparallelsexistbetweenmyownfieldandthissudden,wholesaleabandonmentofthetechnologyofpaper.1、WhichofthefollowingstatementsisTRUEaccordingtothepassage?A．Multi-mediawebsitesandgoodoldpaperarekindsofdigital-learningtechnologies.B．Digitallearningtechnologieswillreplacethepapertextbookssoonerorlater.C．E-readersandmulti-mediawebsitesarelearningmethodsthatareprovedeffective.D．Atried-and-truetechnologyispapertextbooks,longusedineducationalsystem.2、Whatisthedrawbackofpapertextbooksaccordingtothepassage?A．Theirweight.B．Theirprice.C．Theircontent.D．Theirappearance.3、WhatworriesMaryanneWolfisthat________.A．paperlearningcanprovidemorepotentialbenefitsB．studentsmaynotfocusonlearningbydigitalreadingC．digitalreadingcan'tprovidepotentialbenefitsforusersD．theresultsofdigitalreadingeffectsareunderstandable4、Whatistheauthor'sattitudetowardsdigital-learning?A．Disapproving.B．Supportive.C．Positive.D．Objective.24．（8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$300billion25．（10分）SummerHolidayFun2015!Thesummerholidaysareuponusagain.HereisourguidetosummerholidayfuninPeterborough!PeterboroughMuseumTheAgeoftheDinosaursisthemuseum'smainattractionthissummer.Getupclosetoprehistoriccreaturesviasomegreathands-onexhibits！Watchoutformonsterslurkingaroundeveryember！Themuseumisopenfrom10:00amto5:00pmMondaytoSaturday，andfrom12:00pmto4:00pmonSundaysinAugust.Call01733864663fordetails.SaxonYouthClubSchoolholidayfun：Youngpeopleaged13—19willbeabletoproducetheirownmusic，competeinsportsactivities，ortrytheirhandatcookingatSaxonYouthClub，SaxonCommunityCentre，NormanRoad，PeterborougheveryMondayandWednesdayfrom3:00pm.PLUSanaeroballtournamentwilltakeplaceonThursday,12thAugustbetween3:30pmand6:30pm.Call01353720274fordetails.HoughtonMillThroughtheLookingGlass—anewproductionofthefamilyfavoriteonMonday30th，August.Bringrugsorchairstositonandapicnicifyouwishtoeatduringtheplay.Gatesopen5:30pm，performance6:30pm—8:30pm.Tearoomwillbeopenuntiltheendoftheinterval.Adult￡10.Child￡7.Family￡20.Bookingadvisableon08454505157.FarmlandMuseumandDennyAbbeyFarmlandGames：FromWellieWangingtoPretendPloughingmatches，comeandjointheFarmlandTeam.Collectyoursportingstickersandcreateacolorfulrosettethatisfitforawinner！Noneedtobook，justturnupbetween12:00pmand4:00pmonThursday,19thAugust.Suitableforchildrenagedfourandabove，eachchildshouldbeaccompaniedbyanadultandallactivitiesareincludedinthenormaladmissionprice.TicketsCost：￡7perchild.Forfurtherinformation，call01223810080.1、Ifyouareinterestedincooking，youcangoto________.A．PeterboroughMuseum B．HoughtonMillC．SaxonYouthClub D．FarmlandMuseum2、Youwanttowatchthenewplaywithyourparents，soitwillcostyou________.A．￡7 B．￡17C．￡27 D．￡203、Whichofthefollowingactivitiesneedsparents'company?A．Playingfarmlandgames. B．Watchingthenewplay.C．Competinginsportsactivities. D．Visitingthedinosaurexhibition.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）GeraniumsofLoveAsthefifthofsevenchildren,Iwenttothesamepublicschoolasmythreeeldersistersandbrother.Everyyear,mymotherwenttothesameceremonyandhadparent-childinterviews（亲子交流会）withthesameteachers.Theonlythingdifferentwasthechild.Andeverychild1anoldGeraniumsschooltradition—theannualplantsale（拍卖会）heldinearlyMay,justintimefor2Day.ThirdgradewasthefirsttimethatIwasallowedtotakepartintheplantsale.Iwantedtosurprisemymother.3,Ididn'thaveanymoney.Iwenttomyeldestsisterand4thesecret,andshegavemesomemoney.WhenIarrivedattheplantsale,Icarefullymademy5.Iagonized（苦苦思索）overthatdecision,6eachplanttoensurethatIhadindeedfoundthebestgeranium.ThemomentIhadsmuggledithome,withthehelpofmysister,I7itontheupstairsneighbor’sporch.IwasveryafraidmymotherwouldfinditbeforeMother'sDay,butmysisterassuredmethatshewouldn't,and8shedidnot.WhenMother'sDayarrived,IwasburstingwithpridewhenIgaveherthatgeranium.Irememberhowbrighthereyeswere,andhowdelightedshewaswithmy9.TheyearIwasfifteen,myyoungersisterreachedthirdgrade.InearlyMay,shecametomefullofwonderandsecrecyandtoldmethattherewasgoingtobeaplantsaleatschoolandshewantedto10ourmother.Likemy11sisterdidforme,Igavehersomemoneyandoffshewent.Shearrivedathomefullof12excitement,thegeraniumhiddeninapaperbag13hersweater.“Ilookedateveryplant,”sheexplained,“andIknowIgotthe14one!”Ihelpedmylittle15hidethatgeraniumontheupstairsneighbor'sporch,assuringthatourmotherwouldn'tfinditbeforeMother'sDay.Iwastherewhenshegavemymotherthegeranium,andIwatchedthembothburstingwithprideand16.ItwaslikebeinginadreamIhadalreadydreamed.Mymothernoticedme17,andshegavemeasoftsecretsmile.Shockedandpuzzled,I18back.Ihadbeenwonderinghowmymothercould19tobesurprisedatthisgiftfromhersixthchild.ButasIwatchedhereyeslightupwithdelightasshewas20withthatmostpreciousgift,Iknewshewasnotpretending.1、A．passeddown B．participatedin C．brokewith D．carriedon2、A．Women’s B．Father’s C．Children’s D．Mother's3、A．Besides B．Moreover C．However D．Therefore4、A．shared B．discovered C．guarded D．unlocked5、A．plan B．preparation C．present D．selection6、A．watering B．growing C．inspecting D．protecting7、A．showed B．potted C．packaged D．hid8、A．indeed B．instead C．properly D．anyhow9、A．performance B．grades C．gift D．presence10、A．inspire B．surprise C．satisfy D．relax11、A．youngest B．eldest C．cleverest D．bravest12、A．nervous B．youthful C．increasing D．false13、A．on B．beside C．behind D．under14、A．shortest B．rarest C．best D．strongest15、A．sister B．brother C．cousin D．friend16、A．confusion B．anxiety C．delight D．astonishment17、A．listening B．watching C．smelling D．tasting18、A．waved B．smiled C．signed D．called19、A．pretend B．continue C．appear D．try20、A．impressed B．satisfied C．associated D．presented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）Robert,agreatgolfplayer,oncewonatournament.After1．(receive)thecheck,hewalkedalottohiscarintheparkinglotand2．(approach)byayoungwoman.Shecongratulatedhim3．hisvictoryandthentoldhimthatherchildwas4．(serious)illandneardeath.Shedidnotknowhowshecouldpaythedoctor’sbills.Touchedby5．(she)story,Robertgavethechecktothewoman.Thenextweekhe6．(have)lunchinarestaurantwhenaProfessionalGolfAssociationofficialcametohistable.“Theguardintheparkinglottoldmeyoumetayoungwomanthereafteryouwonthattournament.”Robertnodded.“Well,”saidtheofficial,“Ihave7．pieceofbadnewsforyou.She’sa8．(lie).Shehasnosickbabyandshe’snoteven9．(marry).Shecheatedyou,myfriend.”“Youmeanthereisnobaby10．isdying?”saidRobert.“That’sright,”saidtheofficial.“That’sthebestnewsI’veheardallthisweek.”Robertsaid.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限一词;2、只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。Noteveryoneagreesonthatbadhabitsare、Somesmokersaren’tthinksmokingisabadhabit、Youngpeopledon’tthinklistentoloudmusiconthetrainisalsoabadhabit、Haveyouevertriedtogetridyourbadhabits?Ihavequitsmokingorhavestoppedleavingthinglyingaroundthehouse、Ihopedotherpeoplewillstoptheirbadhabits、Igetannoyingwhenpeoplearelateformeetingsortalkloudlyontheirphonesinthepublic、Ialsothinkmuchmotoristsneedtothinkabouttheirdrivinghabits、PerhapsIshouldpointouttheirbadhabits、第二节书面表达（满分25分）29．（25分）Directions:WriteanEnglishcompositionin120-150wordsaccordingtotheinstructionsgivenbelowinChinese.假如你叫李华，你们学校将组织高三毕业典礼，并在校园网上公布了如下方案，征求师生意见。写一封邮件给活动组织者，内容须包括:❶你认为方案中哪些地方需要改进，并提出修改建议；❷你的理由。毕业典礼方案主题:再见了，母校（AlmaMater）！时间:2018年5月31日（周四）下午3:00流程:1.校长致辞2.颁发证书3.学生表演____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

参考答案第一部分（共20小题，每小题1.5分，满分30分）1、B2、D3、B4、A5、D6、B7、B8、C9、D10、D11、B12、D13、C14、B15、D16、D17、A18、A19、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、1、C2、A3、C4、B22、1、D2、D3、C4、C23、1、D2、A3、B4、D24、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'dneverwornahe