重庆市第一中学2024-2025学年高三下学期3月月考试题英语

2025届重庆一中高三3月月考英语试题卷注意事项：1.答卷前，考生务必将自己的姓名、准考证号码填写在答题卡上。2.作答时，务必将答案写在答题卡上。写在本试卷及草稿纸上无效。3.考试结束后，将答题卡交回。第一部分听力(共两节，满分30分)第一节(共5小题；每小题1.5分，满分7.5分)听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。1.Whatdidthewomanorder?A.Duck.B.Noodles.C.Dumplings.2.Whichisprobablythewoman'sfavoritepartoftheOlympics?A.Theiceskatingevents.B.Theopeningceremonies.C.Theathletes’interviews.3.Whatwillthespeakersdofirst?A.Makeameal.B.Seeamovie.C.Buyicecreams.4.Whereweretheexamresultspostedlasttime?A.Ontheschoolwebsite.B.Tothestudents'house.C.Attheschoolnoticeboard.5.Whatdoesthemansuggestthewomando?A.Dothingslater.B.Askforhelp.C.Makealist.第二节(共15小题;每小题1.5分,满分22.5分)听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟。听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。听下面一段对话，回答第6和第7两个小题。6.Whatisthemandoing?A.Conductingaresearch.B.Askingfordirections.C.Doinganinterview.7.Wherearethespeakersprobablynow?A.Inthecanteen.Inthehall.Inthelift.听下面一段对话，回答第8和第9两个小题。8.Whatisthewoman'sprimaryadvantageinapplyingforthejob?A.Herstudyisgood.B.Shehasrichexperienceinthisfield.C.Sheknowsthepany'sproductswell.9.Whydoesthemanthinkthewoman'ssuggestionisgreat?A.Becauseit'sconvenient.B.Becauseit'seconomical.C.Becauseit'strendy.听下面一段对话，回答第10至第12三个小题。10.Whatistheprobablerelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A.Acouple.B.Colleagues.E.Salespersonandcustomer.11.Howmanyshopshavethespeakersvisitedintotal?A.Two.B.Three.C.Ten.12.Whichcoloristhespeaker'sexistingsofa?A.Greyblue.B.Greenblue.C.Blackblue.听下面一段对话，回答第13至第16四个小题。13.Whathappenedtothereport?A.Itwaslost.B.Itwascopied.C.Itwasdamaged.14.WhatwasthelastthingJessicadidtothereport?A.Readingit.B.Savingit.C.Closingitdown.15.WhocausedtheproblemaccordingtoJessica?A.Herfather.B.Herbrother.C.Hermother.16.Whatwillthewomanprobablydonext?A.AskGarytocheckherputer.B.BuyanewputerfromGary.C.Rewritethereport.听下面一段独白，回答第17至第20四个小题。17.Whoisthespeakertalkingto?A.Adultvillagers.B.Hisstudents.C.Presentpupils.18.Whatisthespeakerdoing?A.Sellingabook.B.Teachingaclass.C.Introducinghimself.19.Whatisthebookabout?A.Factsaboutsteamtrains.B.Storiesaboutavillage.C.Thestudyofcoal.20.Whatclosedmanyyearsago?A.Theschool.B.Thestation.C.Theshop.第二部分阅读(共两节，满分50分)第一节(共15小题;每小题2.5分,满分37.5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。ATHERE'SNOSUCHTHINGASASILLYQUESTIONAUTHOR:MIKERAMPTONILLUSTRATOR:GUILHERMEKARSTENPUBLISHER:NOSYCROWPRICE:£18.99RELEASEOUTNOWFromthemindsofworldleadingexpertsattheUniversityofCambridge,There'sNoSuchThingasaSillyQuestionanswersmanyofthosecuriousquestionsyouandyourlittleoneshavebeenthinkingabout.Dobeesstingotherbees?Whatisfiremadeof?Whyareaeroplanetoiletssoloud?Eachpageeruptswithhumorousillustrationsthatmakethisbookajoytoread.ONETHOUSANDTHINGSAUTHOR:ANNAKOVECSESPUBLISHER:QUARTOPUBLISHINGPRICE:£12.99RELEASEOUTNOWJustlikeitsaysonthecover,OneThousandThingscontains1,000thingsforyoungreaderstoname,withquirkygeometricdrawingsthatdetailwhattheyareandwheretheyexistintheworld.Theseitemsincludebodyparts,thingsinnature,householditemsandspacestuff.Thesimpleillustrationsbinetofillentirepageswithdynamicscenes.Thebookisintendedforchildrenwhoarebeingintroducedtothenamesofanimals,occupations,utensils,electronicdevicesandtransport.Atinymousefollowsthereaderthroughthebook,providingaWhere'sWallystylechallengetofindthethingsoneverypage.THEBIGAQUARIUMADVENTUREAUTHOR:NANCYROOPILLUSTRATOR:MARIANABOUNEPUBLISHER:DEVELOPMENTALTEXTSPRICE:£18.99RELEASEOUTNOWAfterschoolboyStephenvisitstheaquariumwithhisfamily,hisinquisitivefriendAlexquestionshimaboutalltheanimalsandtheanticsthatwentonthere.Fromthetrucksizedfishtankstoscarylookingskates,Alexfindsoutallabouttheaquarium.PartofTheBigAquariumAdventureiswritteninadialoguestyle,makingitveryconversationalandeasyforchildrentofollow.Thebookhasinteractiveelements,askingthereaderquestionsabouttheirownexperiencesataquariums,orquestionstheymayhaveabouttheeventscoveredinAlex'sinterview.TheBigAquariumAdventureisuniqueinprovidingyoungreaderswithscientificknowledge,aswellasEnglishlanguageskillsforproducingtheirownstoriesandinterviews.21.WhatchallengedoesOneThousandThingsprovideforitsreaders?AFindingitemsoneachpage.B.Drawingelectronicdevicesandtransport.CFillingdynamicscenes.D.Locatingalittlemouse.22.What'sspecialaboutTheBigAquariumAdventure?A.Itprovidesdetailedinformationaboutaquariumanimals.B.Itisallwritteninadialoguestyle.C.IthelpsyoungreadersimprovetheirEnglishlanguageskills.D.Itcoversavarietyofinterestingquestions.23.Whatdoallthethreebookshaveinmon?A.Theyareallsoldatthesameprice.B.Theyareallintendedforchildrenonly.C.Theyareallcurrentlyavailableforpurchase.D.Theyallinteractwithreaders.BLastyear,myfamilyandIembarkedonatwoweekvacationacrosstheIberianPeninsula,fullofexcitementforgreatdining.OneofthethingsIanticipatedmostwasmyreservationatRekondoinSanSebastián,Spain.Thisfamousrestaurant,apopularstoponthebusyfoodtouristroute,wasknownforitsoutstandingcuisine.Uponbeingseatedatmytable,Iwaspresentedwithanexpansiveandprehensivewine.list.ThereweredetaileddescriptionsofvariousrareRiojawinesoneachpage.Idedicatedaconsiderableamountoftimetostordyingthislistintentlybeforethelongawaiteddishofhakekokotxaswasfinallyserved,itsdelicateflavorleavingalastingimpression.However,themostunforgettablemealwasasurprise.ItwasatChila,aHunaneserestaurantinMadrid.WhatmadeitspecialwasthatIcouldorderthechef'sspecialdishesviaWeChat.WhileenjoyingthetenderIbéricoporkloin,whichwasbinedwiththespicyPadrónpeppersandtheflavorfulfermented(发酵的)blackbeans,IsawChinesefamilieschattinghappilynearby.Thissimplescenemademerealizeabigchangeinhowweexperiencefoodwhiletraveling.Before,wehadtotraveltocertainplacesfor“authentic”localfood.Butnow,becauseoffooddocumentaries,socialmedia,andtheconvenienceoftravel,wecaneasilygetvariousglobalfoods.Forexample,wedon'tneedtogotoParisforLaduréemacarons;wecanfindtheminbigUScitiesororderonline.HiddenfoodspotsthatwerehardtofindarenoweasytodiscoveronTikTokThischangeisn'tjusttheendoftraditionalfoodtourism.It'sthestartofaneweraoffoodexploration.PlaceslikeChilainMadridconnectdifferentcultures.TheybringChinesefoodtothelocalsandgiveChinesepeoplelivingabroadatasteofhome.Inshort,thefutureoffoodadventureisatthecrossroadsofdifferentcultures,wherenewandexcitingflavorsarebeingcreated.24.WhatwastheauthordoingbeforethehakekokotxaswasservedatRekondo?A.Lookingthroughathickwinelist.B.ChattingwithotherdinersaboutSpanishcuisine.C.Takingpicturesoftherestaurant.D.Readingaboutthehistoryoftherestaurant.25.Whatdoweknowabouttheimpactofsocialmediaonthefoodindustry?A.Socialmediahasmadeitmoredifficultfornewfoodtrendstoemerge.B.Socialmediahasmainlybenefitedlargescalefoodchains.C.Socialmediahascausedadeclineinthestandardoffoodreviews.D.Socialmediahasmadeglobalfoodsmoreaccessiblethanever.26.Whatcanweinferbasedonthepassage?A.Customerswhoprefertraditionalcuisineopposeanychangeinfoodtourism.B.Localfoodmarketswilldisappearasglobalfoodsbeeeasiertoget.C.Restaurantscanboostpetitivenessbyintegratingfoodculturesinfoodoptions.D.ChinesetechnologyismainlyusedbyChineseimmigrantsabroad.27.Whatistheprimarymessagetheauthoraimstoconvey?A.Traditionalfoodtourismisnolongerworthtrying.B.Newfoodtrendsareemergingatthecrosssectionofdiversecultures.C.Technologyhasmadeglobalfoodmorepopularbutlessdelicious.DHunanesecuisineisbeingmorepopularinMadrid.CTherecentemergenceofDeepSeek,aChinesestartup,hasbrokenthecurrentmessageinSiliconValleyregardingthedevelopmentofadvancedartificialintelligence(AI)models.DeepSeek'sopensourceAImodel,R1,hasdemonstratedcapabilitiesparabletothoseofleadingmodelsfrommajorAmericantechfirms,butitwasdevelopedatasignificantlylowercostandwithlesspowerfulhardware.ThisshiftchallengesthelongheldbenefthatonlythewealthiestpaniescoulddominatetheAIlandscapebyinvestingheavilyinresources.Astechgiantsstrugglewiththisnewreality,questionsarebeingraisedabouttheirstrategiesandspendinghabits.ThetraditionalapproachofoutspendingpetitorsonadvancedchipsandexpansivedatacentersisnowunderinvestigationIndustryexpertssuggestthatthefocusmayneedtoshifttowardsefficiency,withpaniespetingtocreatemorecosteffectiveandenvironmentallysustainableAIsolutions.ResponsesfromAmericantechleadershavebeenswift,withOpenAI'sCEOSamAltmanacknowledgingtheimpressivenatureofDeepSeek'sR1modelandpromisingacceleratedreleasesofnewmodels.Thispetitivepressureislikelytoleadtoareevaluationofdatacenterinvestmentsandpricingstrategies,aspaniesaimtoremainrelevantinarapidlyevolvingmarket.DespiteconcernsaboutDeepSeek’sclaimsregardingitsdevelopmentcosts,itssuccesshasmotivatedotherAIlabstoinnovateandcreatemoreefficientmodels.TheindustryisexpectedtoshiftfocustowardsmaximizingAIcapabilitieswithinexistingputationallimitsratherthanmerelyincreasinghardwareresources.SomeindustryleadersviewDeepSeek'sachievementsasavalidationofopensourceAI,provingthatopensourceAIhasitsvalue.Furthermore,theyadvocateforgreatercooperationandsharingofinnovationsamongAmericantechpanies.ThisperspectivesuggeststhatencouraginganopensourceecosystemcouldstimulatetheoverallpetitivenessoftheUStechindustry.Ultimately,whileDeepSeek'ssuccessmaystimulateshorttermadjustmentsinbusinessmodels,italsohighlightsthepotentialforAItechnologytopopularizeaccessanddriveinnovationacrosstheglobe.TheongoingevolutionoftheAIlandscapewillrequirepaniestoadapttonewrealities,balancingpetitionwithcooperationtoensurethecontinuedadvancementofthetechnology28.WhatistheexpectedindustryfocusinresponsetoDeepSeek'ssuccess?A.Increasinginvestmentsinadvancedchipsandexpansivedatacenters.B.DevelopingmorepowerfulhardwareresourcestopetewithDeepSeek.C.Reducingtheenvironmentalimpactofdatacenteroperations.D.MaximizingAIcapabilitieswithinexistingputationallimits.29.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“validation”inParagraph5mean?A.Confirmation.B.Denial.C.Construction.D.Disapproval.30.Whatistheauthor'sattitudetowardsDeepSeek'sbreakthrough.inAI'development?A.Cautious.B.Indifferent.C.Optimistic.D.Critical.31.WhatdoesthepassageimplyaboutthefutureshifttowardsAIdevelopment?A.ItwillleadtoadecreaseintheoverallpetitivenessoftheUStechindustry.B.ItwillmakeAItechnologyaccessibletomorepeopleandfuelinnovationglobally.C.ItwillincreasethecostofdevelopingAIbusinessmodelsfonallAIpanies.D.ItwilllimittheapplicationofAItechnologytoonlythewealthiestpanies.DImportantasgivingandtakingcriticismisforgettingalongwithothers,oneskilldoesoutperformit:theabilitytogivepliments(赞美).However,givingplimentsisnostraightforwardmatterandrequiresskillsandknowledge.Donewell,wordsofpraisecanbeafortingbalmforhumanrelations.Butdonepoorly;plimentscanbeineffective.evendestructive.Whethertheplimentiseffectiveinupliftingtheotherpersondependsonwhetheritisbelievable,appropriate,andqualified.Ifyoutellmemyhairlooksgood,Iwilldismissitandsuspectyourmotives,becauseIamhairless.Evenifaplimentagreeswithone'sselfconception,itmustmeetthreecriteriatobeacceptedbyitsobject.Thepraisemustefromapersonwithcredibilitytogiveit,itmustbesincereandunscripted,anditmustoccurintheappropriatecontext.Consider,forexample,howyou'drespondtoaflatteringplimentfromasalespersonyou'dnevermetabouthowsmartanddiscriminatingyouarewhenyou'releaningtowardaparticularpurchase.You'dprobablyfindthatkindofplimentoffputting,becausethepersondoesn'tknowyouwellenoughtojudgeyourtruequalitiesandissimplybutteringyouuptomakeasale.Theplimentfailsonallthreecounts:thepraiserlackscredibility,theirsincerityissuspicious,andyourwillingnesstospendmoneyinastoreisnotameaningfulcontextforgradingyourintelligence.Givenallofthis,itmightsoundasthoughgivingaplimentthatcanbeacceptedandbeneficialisdifficultandfraught.Myideais:Movingbeyondotherpeople'sappearanceandperformance.Onequalitypeoplerarelypliment—butshould—iswhatthepsychologistRhettDiessnercalls“moralbeauty,”acharacteristicthatisreflectedinactsofcharity,kindness,sympathy,forgiveness,courage,orselfsacrifice.Diessnerfindsthatwitnessingsuchbeautybringsmoralelevation,whichisexperiencedas“pleasantfeelingsofwarmthinthechest,feelinguplifted,moved,”whichinturnsleadstobeingmore“optimisticabouthumanity.”Inaplicatedandconflictfilledworld,saying“Nicetie!”or“Goodjob!”isfine.Butmakingahabitofrecognizingandplimentingtrueactsofloveandkindnesscanhelpusallgetmoreoftheupliftweneed.32.Whatcanwelearnfromthefirstparagraph?A.Givingplimentsisnotasimportantasgivingandtakingcriticism.BTheimpactofgivingplimentsisoftenstraightforwardandfixed.C.plimentscanbeineffectiveorevendestructivewhenyouarepoor.D.Theimportanceofgivingplimentscanneverbeoveremphasized.33.AccordingtoParagraph2,whatwilltheauthoragreewithaboutpliments?A.Itisalwayschallengingtodeliversincerepliments.B.Dishonestpeopleareunqualifiedtegivepliments.C.Variousfactorsimpacttheeffectivenessofpliments.D.Credibleplimentsshouldbewellpreparedbeforehand.34.Whatpointdoestheauthorillustratebymentioningasalesperson'spliment?A.Salespeoplearenotgoodatgivingsincerepliments.B.plimentsgiveninasalescontextarealwaysbelievable.C.Aplimentmustmeetcertaincriteriatobeaccepted.D.Peopleshouldavoidbelievingplimentsfromasalesperson.35.Whatmightbethebesttitleforthepassage?A.TheArtandScienceofGivingEffectiveplimentsB.ThePsychologybehindReceivingplimentsPositivelyC.TheEffectofplimentsonHumanRelationshipsD.TheChallengesandRewardsofRecognizingMoralBeauty第二节(共5小题；每小题2.5分，满分12.5分)阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。FosteringHappiness:StrengtheningYourRewardSensitivityInourbusylives,weoftenpassupchancesforjoy.Wemightskipabirthdaypartyorcancelalunchdate,thinkingit'snotworththetrouble.Butthisusuallymakesusfeelevenmoredownlater.Thesecrettochangingthisistostrengthen“rewardsensitivity”.36Rewardsensitivityislikeamuscle.Itcangrowstrongerwithregularpractice.Whenwetrainourselvestonoticeandvaluepositiveemotions,wecanbeehappier.37Theyoftenstruggletofeelpleasure,aconditioncalledanhedonia(unabletoexperiencejoy).A2023studyshowedthattherapyfocusingonpositiveemotionshelpsmentalhealthmorethantreatmentsjustreducingnegativesymptoms.Agreatwaytostrengthenrewardsensitivityistoplanasmall,funactivitydaily.38Describeitindetail,focusingonthefeelingsandexperiences.Thispractice,knownas“savoring(尽情享受),”makespositivefeelingsstrongerandgivesyoumoremotivationtoseeksimilarexperiencesinthefuture.39.Insteadofsimplylabelinganexperience“good”,usemoreprecisewordslike“thrilled,”“inspired,or“peaceful”.Sharingpositivemomentswithotherscanmakethesemomentsevenmoremeaningful,strengtheningsocialbondsandspreadinghappiness.It'simportanttorememberthatembracinghappinessdoesn'tmeanignoringpain.46Byusingthesestrategiesinyourdailylife,youcancultivateastrongersenseofrewardsensitivityandchangehowyouexperienceandpursuehappiness.A.Afterward,takeamomenttorecalltheexperience.B.It'stheabilitytofindandtrulyenjoypositiveexperiences.C.Weoftenavoidsuchactivities,whichmakeourmooddecline.D.Thisisespeciallyimportantforthosewithdepressionoranxiety.E.Thispracticehelpsyoubetterunderstandandenjoypositivefeelings.F.Despitelife'schallenges,feelingjoyhelpsrestorebalanceandtoughness.G.Beyondsavoring,expandingyouremotionalvocabularycanalsohelp.第三部分语言运用(共两节，满分30分)第一节(共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分)阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。OnmysonAndrew's15thbirthday,Itookhimtoashoestoretogetapairofsandals.Andrewisnonspeakingautistic(自闭症的)and41shoppingwhenit'snotbusy.“Size41ofthoseblacksandals,please,”Itoldtheclerks.Andrew42hisfeetintotheshoes.Aperfect43.Wepaidandthankedtheclerks.“It'sAndrew'sbirthdaytoday.Fifteen!”Isaid.“Happybirthday!”theysaid.Whatesnextonlyhappenswhenthevoiceinsidesaystodothings44.InsteadofhavingAndrewpointtothe“thankyou”symbolonhispicturechart,Ihelduphisletterboard.For10years,Andrewhasusedapicturecharttomunicatewith45representingimportantandmonwords:places,food,greetingsandactivities.Yearsago,wediscoveredAndrewcouldmunicatemore46aletterboard:analphabetgrid(方格)withlettershecanpointtoand47outwords.It'sasimplebutprofoundtoolaffixed(贴)tothebackofhispicturechart.Andrewpointedto48onebyone:“Thankyou.”Oneclerkspokeup:“CanIaskyouwhatisthat?BecauseIhaveabrotherandhedoesn'ttalk.”“Oh!ThisisanalphabetboardthatAndrewusestomunicate.It'schanged49forourfamily,forAndrew.”Iaskedtheclerkabouthisbrother.HetoldusthatJasonis30anddoesn'tspeak,buthecandoalotforhimself.50,noonereallyknowshim.Maybethere'smore,theclerk51“Andrew,whatdoyouthink?”Iasked.Andrewstartedpointingtoletters:“52Jasonhewillchangeeveryone'sopinionofhimin26letters.”“Wow,thankyou!”theclerksaid.Andrew53.Thisishowwe54anotherperson'slifeinasplitsecond.Ihopetheirwholefamily'slifeischangedbecauseAndrew55onhis15thbirthdaytobuyapairofshoes.41.A.hatesB.wantsC.prefersD.needs42.A.touchedB.walkedC.movedD.slipped43.A.fitB.oneC.shoeD.couple44.A.naturallyB.differentlyC.intentionallyD.casually45.A.peopleB.imagesC.languagesD.others46.A.viaB.onC.underD.over47.A.readB.speakC.spellD.work48.A.wordsB.lettersC.examplesD.pictures49.A.everythingB.somethingC.nothingD.anything50.A.ThereforeB.BesidesC.StillD.Otherwise51.A.doubtsB.arguesC.suggestsD.wonders52.A.BelieveB.TellC.ConsiderD.Hope53.A.smiledB.criedC.acceptedD.nodded54.A.includeB.improveC.impactD.involve55.A.cameupB.backedupC.steppedupD.showedup第二节(共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分)阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。TheChineseanimationfilm“NeZha2”56(release)onJan29,ChineseNewYear'sDay,rankingfirstonthealltimeChineseboxofficelist,accordingtoonlineplatformdata.Howefilms57(base)onChinesemythologyhavebeemassivehitsattheboxoffice?“NeZha2”symbolizesrebellion.TheimageofNeZhahasbeentransformedfromthetraditionaltragichero“returningtohisfather”toamodernreformer58changeshisdestinyagainstGod'swill”,whichisinline59thespiritualhopesoftoday'syouthsandtheirdeterminationtofightagainstlabelingandpursuetheirgoals.This60(adapt)binestraditionalculturalsymbolswithpopularculture,suchaspunkstyleandmodernexpression,fostering61uniqueculturalidentity.Thefilmisalsoagreatinnovationinvisualaesthetics(美学),using5Gandsmarttechnology62improve)thetheaterexperience.Furthermore,thefilm63(address)changingfamilyethicsbytransformingNeZha’sparentsfromstricttolovingfiguresandechoesyoungergenerations’pursuitof“familyroots.”Theindividualandthecollectivehaveharmonizedinthefilm.NeZhafinallytransformsfromarebelliousindividualtoonecarryinggreatresponsibilitiesonhisshoulder.64thespiritofindividualismisnottotallylost.ThisfilmraiseshopesforthefuturepopularityofChineseanimationmoviesboth65(domestic)andinternationally,potentiallyestablishingNeZhaasanewculturalbrandofChina.第四部分写作(共两节，满分40分)第一节(满分15分)假如你是李华，得知英国的一家有关艺术和历史的博物馆：PooleMuseum正在招募志愿者，你想要加入他们，于是写了一封自荐信给这个博物馆招募组。要点如下：1.表达写信目的；2.介绍个人优势；3.希望获准。注意：1.写作词数应为80个左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。DearPooleMuseumVolunteerRecruitmentTeam,___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Bestregards,LiHua第二节(满分25分)阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。ThedoorbellrangonemidDecemberevening.Aftermyhusband'ssuddendeathinthatfall,Ifrequentlyhadunexpectedvisitorsinthoseearlydays,whosometimesbroughtdinner,oftenwithtears.Butwhenmy6yearoldsonopenedthedoor,nobodywasthere.Instead,onthedoormatwasatriangularbox,decoratedwithawidesilverribbonandanotethatread“OntheFirstDayofChristmas……”Amystery.MysonsandIhadalreadymanagedtonavigateHalloween,andourfirstThanksgivingwithoutDaddy.However,IwasfearingChristmas.HowcouldDecemberhavearrivedwithoutmyhusband?Ididn'tturnuptheholidaytunesorturnouttheChristmasdecorations.Thereweremorningswhen,afterIwalkedDannyandJasontotheirelementaryschool,Iwouldcrawlbackintobedandnotemergeuntiltheycamehomefromschool.Thenextnight,thedoorbellrangagain.Anotherpackage.Twosnowmanmugs,apacketforhotchocolatetucked(塞)insideeachone,tiedwiththesamesilverribbonandincludingthesamewhitecard,thisonereading“OntheSecondDayofChristmas...”Wedidn'thearacarengineoranyfootstepsoramuffledgiggle.Wedidn'tseeanyonerunaway.Notashapeorafigure.Thethirdnight,Iturnedontheporchlightandturnedoffthelivingroomlightssowecouldseewhowasleavingthegifts.ThentheboysandIsatonthesofaandwaited.Butasitgrewdarker,theygrewbored,thenhungry.Iwenttothekitchentopreparedinner.