江苏省盐城市阜宁中学等四校2021-2022学年高二英语下学期期中考试试题（Word版附答案）

2021—2022学年第二学期高二年级期中考试英语试题第一部分听力（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上。第一节（共5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。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.Whatdidthewomanfirstdothisafternoon?A.Shegotasleep.B.Shetookawalk.C.Shedidsomeshopping.2.Wheredoestheconversationprobablytakeplace?A.Inadepartmentstore.B.Inapostoffice.C.Inabank.3.Howdoesthewomanfeel?A.Sad.B.Afraid.C.Sick.4.Whydoesthemanwanttorunmore?A.Tobeinbetterhealth.B.Tobeclosetonature.C.Toraceacrossthecountry.5.Howwillthewomanprobablygettotheairport?A.Bybus.B.Bysubway.C.Bytaxi.第二节（共15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。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。听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。6.Whichanimalsdoesthemanlikethemost?A.Tigers.B.Giraffes.C.Monkeys.7.Howmuchdokidspaytogetin?,A.$10.B.$9.C.$5.听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。8.WhatwerethedayslikeinAustraliainJuly?A.Niceandcool.B.Rainyandcold.C.Brightandsunny.9.Wheredidthemanstarthistrip?A.InMelbourne.B.InSydney.C.InPerth.听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。10.Wheredidthewomanstayduringherholiday?A.Inahotel.B.Inthemountains.C.Atafarmer’shouse.11.Whatwastheweatherlikeinthecountry?A.Fine.B.Rainy.C.Windy.12.Whattimedidthewomangethomethismorning?A.At4:30.B.At5:00.C.At9:00.听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。13.Howdothespeakersknoweachother?A.They’reco-workers.B.They’reneighbors.C.They’rebrotherandsister.14.WhattypeofanimalisPenny?A.Acat.B.Adog.C.Abird.15.HowisthemangettingtoNewYork?A.Bytrain.B.Bycar.C.Byairplane.16.Wheredothespeakerslive?A.InFlorida.B.InNewYork.C.InPennsylvania.听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。17.WhenwilltheMotorShowend?A.OnJuly15th.B.OnJuly18th.C.OnJuly22nd.18.WhatproblemdidtheMotorShowhavelastyear?A.Nonewcarsattheshow.B.Nochancestodriveacar.C.Notenoughspaceforparking.19.Whatisdesignedforwomendrivers?,A.Asportscar.B.Anelectriccar.C.Asun-poweredcar.20.Whatisthepriceofafamilyticket?A.Sixpounds.B.Twelvepounds.C.Thirtypounds.第二部分阅读（共两节，满分50分）第一节（共15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和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。A4StudyandHomeworkAppsforAndroid!BrainlyPrice：Free/$15per3months/$24peryearBrainlyisasocialnetworkforlearners.Yousignup,askquestions,andgetanswers(usually).Additionally,youcanbrowsethesite,answerotherpeople'squestions,andhelpthemoutaswell.Theychargeonaquarterbasis($15)orayearlybasis($24).ForestPrice:Free/Upto$1.99Forestisadifferenttypeofapp.Oneofthebiggestdistractionsduringstudyisyoursmartphone.Foresthelpsputastoptothat.Youopentheappandatreegrows,Thetreediesifyouleavetheapp.Thus,thereisalittlemotivationtoleavethethingalonewhileyoustudyordohomework.GooglePlayBooksPrice:Freeapp,bookcostsvaryGooglePlayBooksisanexcellentsourceoflearningmaterial.Sometimesyourtextbookjustisn'tenoughandappslikethishaveplentyofadditionalresources.Bookscostmoneyobviously.However,youonlypayforthemonce.Booksareavailableofflineonyoursmartphoneortablet.QuizletPrice:Free/$19.99peryearQuizletisoneofthemostpopularflashcardappsforlanguagelearning.Youcancreateflashcardsplaymemorygames,andevenshareflashcardswithclassmates.Italsosupports18languagesforaboutanysubjectortopic.Thefreeversionshouldworkjustfineforsimpleuses,though.Thepremiumversioncosts$19.99peryear,whichisn'texpensiveforastudyaid.,1.WhatisspecialaboutForest?A.Ithelpskeepyoufocused.B.Itanswersyourquestions.C.Itprovidestextbooksforyourstudy.D.Itmotivatesyoutoplantmoretrees.2.Whichappcanyouchoosetolearnlanguages?A.Brainy.B.Forest.C.GooglePlayBook.D.Quizlet.3.Whatdotheseappshaveincommon?A.Theyhavenoadvertisements.B.Theychargeforsomeservices.C.Theyhaveenoughlearningresources.D.Theyaredesignedtodohomeworkquickly.【1~3题答案】【答案】1.A2.D3.BBAnadvanceinelectronicpublishingcouldmakethebookyouarereadingseemasdatedasasilentfilm.Publishersarereleasingbookswithaddedsoundtracksandmusicalaccompaniments.ThenoiseinthefirstmultimediabooksreleasedinBritainincluderainhittingawindowinaSherlockHolmestale.WorksbyOscarWildeandRudyardKiplingarealsoavailable.Whentheplotofabookreachesaclimax,backgroundmusicwillcreatetension.InAmerica,worksbyShakespeareandJaneAustenhavealreadybeenreleasedwithmusicandbackgroundnoisesothat,forexample,readerscanhearteacupsclinkinginMr.Darcy'sgardenastheyreadPrideandPrejudice.Supportersarguethatsoundeffectsarethenextlogicaldevelopmentfore-booksandwilladdexcitementforyoungerreaders.Critics,however,willarguethatthenoiseswillruinthesimplepleasureofenjoyingtheimaginationrequiredtoreadabook.CarolineMichel,chiefexecutiveoftheliteraryagencyPFD,said,"Concentrationnowissuchthatpeoplehavesplitcomputerscreenswheretheymaybewatchingtelevisionandreplyinganemailatthesametime.Ifthat'swhatthemarketwants,thenweshouldrespondtothemarket.Booktrack'ssoundeffectsworkbyfiguringouttheuser'sreadingspeed.Eachtimeyou“turn”apage,thesoftwarereassesses(重新评估)whereyouhavereachedinthetextandtimesthesoundstoplayaccordingly.Ifthesoundtrackisnotinagreementwiththewords,aclickonanywordwillre-setit.,Someauthorsfearasoundtrackcoulddestroythepeaceandquietoflibrariesandruinthepleasureofreading.DavidNicholls,authorofOneDay,said,"Thissoundsliketheoppositeofreading.Ihaveenoughtroublereadingane-bookbecauseI'mconstantlydisturbed(干扰)byemailsandsoI'vegivenuponitforthetimebeing.StuartMacBride,thecrimewriterwhosenovelShattertheBoneswasane-bookbestseller,sells18%ofhisbooksaselectronicdownloads.Hesaid,"IfI'mreading,Iwilldothenoisesinmyhead.Idon'tneedsomeonetotellmewhatcuttingatreesoundslike.Thatwouldupsetme.4.Thee-booksoundtrackisintended________.A.tomakereadersfocusonthestoryB.tohelpreaderswithunknownvocabularyC.tostrengthenreaders'impressionofcharactersD.toaddtensionwhenthebookreachesanexcitingpoint5.Theunderlinedword"it"inParagraph5refersto________.A.thesoundtrackB.thespeedofreadingC.thesoftwareD.therequiredtime6.What'sStuartMacBride'sattitudetosoundtracks?A.Supportive.B.Disapproving.C.Unconcerned.D.Disrespectful7.Thetextismostprobablytakenfrom________.A.abookreviewB.apersonaldiaryC.asciencetextbookD.anewspaperreport【4~7题答案】【答案】4.D5.A6.B7.DCTimeandhowweexperienceithavealwayspuzzledus.Physicistshavecreatedfascinatingtheories,buttheirtimeismeasuredbyapendulum(钟摆)andisnotpsychologicaltime,whichleaps,withlittleregardtotheclockorcalendar.Assomeonewhounderstoodthedistinctionobserved,“Whenyousitwithanicegirlfortwohoursitseemslikeaminute,butwhenyousitonahotstove,aminuteseemsliketwohours.”Psychologistshavelongnoticedthatlargerunitsoftime,suchasmonthsandyears,flyonswifterwingsasweage.Theyalsonotethatthemoretimeisstructuredwithschedulesandappointments,themorerapidlyitseemstopass.Forexample,adayattheofficefliescomparedwithadayatthebeach.Expectationandfamiliarityalsomaketimeseemtoflowmorerapidly.Almostallofushavehadtheexperienceofdrivingsomewherewe’veneverbeenbefore.Surroundedbyunfamiliarscenery,withnorealideaofwhenwe’llarrive,weexperiencethetripasiflastingalongtime.Butthereturntrip,althoughexactlyaslong,seemstotakefarlesstime.Thenoveltyoftheoutwardjourneyhasbecomeroutine.Whendaysbecomeasidenticalasbeads(小珠子)onastring,theymixtogether,andevenmonthsbecomeasingleday.Tocounterthis,trytofindwaystointerruptthestructureofyourday-tostoptime,sotospeak.Learningsomethingnewisoneofthewaystoslowthepassageoftime.Oneofthereasonsthedaysofouryouthseemssofullandlongisthatthesearethedaysoflearninganddiscovery.Formanyofus,learningendswhenweleaveschool,butthisdoesn’thavetobe.8.WhatistheunderlinedsentenceinParagraph1isusedtoshow?A.Physicaltheoryhasnothingtodowiththetruesenseoftime.B.Physicaltimeisdifferentfrompsychologicaltime.C.Timeshouldnotbemeasuredbyapendulum.D.Psychologicaltimeisquitepuzzling.9.Whichofthefollowingwillmakeyoufeeltimefliesfaster?A.Adayspentexploringsomethingunknown.B.Stayingwithapersonwhoyoudislike.C.Adaypackedwithappointmentstohandle.D.Drivingtoanewplaceforthefirsttime.10.Whatdoes“novelty”inParagraph3probablymeans?A.Amusement.B.Excitement.,C.Imagination.D.Unfamiliarity.11.Whatisthepurposeofthepassage?A.Toexplainwhytimefliesandhowtoslowitdownpsychologically.B.Todescribehowweexperiencetimepsychologically.C.Toshowthedifferentideasofphysicistsandpsychologistsontime.D.Togivevariousexplanationsabouttime.【8~11题答案】【答案】8.B9.C10.D11.ADOverthephone,Jack'smothertoldhim,“Mr.Belserdiedlastnight.ThefuneralisWednesday."Memoriesflashedthroughhismindlikeanoldnewsreelashesatquietlyrememberinghischildhooddays.“Jack,didyouhearme?"“Oh,sorry,Mum.Yes,Iheardyou.It'sbeensolongsinceIthoughtofhim.I'msorry,butIhonestlythoughthediedyearsago,"Jackreplied.“Youknow,Jack,afteryourfatherdied,Mr.Belsersteppedintomakesureyouhadaman'sinfluenceinyourlife,'shesaid.Asbusyashewas,hekepthisword.Jackcaughtthenextflighttohishometown.Mr.Belser'sfuneralwassmallanduneventful.Thenightbeforehehadtoreturnhome,JackandhisMumstoppedbytoseetheoldhousenextdooronemoretime.Standinginthedoorway,Jackpausedforamoment.Itwaslikecrossingoverintoanotherdimension,aleapthroughspaceandtime.Thehousewasexactlyasheremembered.Everystepheldmemories.Everypicture,everypieceoffurniture.Jackstoppedsuddenly...“What'swrong,Jack?”hisMumasked.“Theboxisgone,"hesaid.“Whatbox?"Mumasked"Therewasasmallgoldboxthathekeptlockedontopofhisdesk.Imusthaveaskedhimathousandtimeswhatwasinside.Allhe'devertoldmewasthethinghevaluedmost.NowI'llnever,knowwhatwassovaluabletohim,"Jacksaid.ReturninghomefromworkonedayJackdiscoveredanoteinhismailbox.'Signaturerequiredonapackage.Nooneathome.Pleasestopbythemainpostofficewithinthenextthreedays,'thenoteread.EarlythenextdayJackretrievedthepackage.Thereinsidewasthegoldboxandanenvelope.Jackshandsshookashereadthenoteinside."Uponmydeath,pleaseforwardthisboxanditscontentstoJackBennett.It'sthethingIvaluedmostinmylife.'Jackcarefullyunlockedthebox.Thereinsidehefoundabeautifulgoldpocketwatch.Runninghisfingersslowlyoverthefinelyetchedcasing,heunlatchedthecover.Insidehefoundthesewordsengraved(雕刻):'Jack,Thanksforyourtime!-HaroldBelser.'12.WhatdidMr.BelserdowhenJackwasachild?A.Heplayedtheroleofafather.B.HetaughtJackschoolsubjects.C.HesponsoredJackforeducation.D.HebroughtJacklongermemories.13.WhywasJackdeeplyimpressedwiththegoldbox?A.ItbelongedtoMr.Belser.B.Itremainedamysterytohim.C.Itwashischildhoodmemory.D.Itwasworthalotofmoney.14.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“retrieved”inParagraph11probablymean?A.Takeover.B.Reachfor.C.Pullout.D.Getback.15.Whatcanwelearnfromthestory?A.Agoldpocketwatchisthebestgift.B.Goodcompanydeservestreasuring.C.Lossoffatherinfluencesaboydeeply.D.Closeneighborsshouldhelpeachother.【12~15题答案】【答案】12.A13.B14.D15.B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。ImproveYourRelationshipsHavingstableandpositiverelationshipsinyourlifecanmakeyouhappierandmorefulfilled.Whetherit'syourfriends,family,orsignificantother,improvingarelationshipcansometimesbeconfusing.____16____Expressyourappreciationfortheperson.____17____Noticethepositivethingsthatthepersonisdoingandgooutofyourwaytoshowyourappreciationforthem.Youcanalsoshowyourappreciationbyrememberingimportanteventslikeanniversariesorbirthdays.____18____Ifyouhardlyseeeachotherortalktoeachother,itcanbedifficulttomaintainarelationship.Takeextratimeoutofyourdayanddevoteittothepersonthatyouwanttoimproverelationswith.Trytoworkaroundtheotherperson'sschedulesothatyoucanspendthetimetogether.Youcanshareameal,watchashow,listentomusic,orgoshoppingwiththem.Turnoffdistractions.Distractionslikeacellphone,socialmedia,orvideogamescancreateadivisioninbetweenyouandanotherperson.Ifyounoticethatyouarealwaysdistracted,youshouldturnoffyourcellphoneorcomputerandtalktothem.____19____Seektherapy(心理治疗)ifyoucan'tgetalong.Tofixorimprovefamilyrelationshipsorrelationshipswithyoursignificantother,youcanturntotherapy.Ifyounoticethatyouandthepersonarealwaysarguingoverthesamekindsofthings,andnothinghasworked,youshouldconsiderseekingtherapywiththem.____20____Andfamilytherapymaybeabletorestorebondsbetweenfamilymembers.A.Spendmoretimewiththeperson.B.Maintainarelationshipifpossible.C.Peopleoftenliketobepraisedforachievements.D.Aspecialistcanhelpsolvelongtermissuesintherelationship.E.Iftheyaretheonealwaysdistracted,askthemiftheycandothesame.F.Followthetipsandyoucandevelopgoodrelationshipswithyourfamily.G.Luckily,byadjustingyourbehaviour,youcanimproveanyrelationshipinyourlife.,【16~20题答案】【答案】16.G17.C18.A19.E20.D第三部分语言运用第一节（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15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。HecamefromsomewheresouthofRome.Ididn’tknowwhenorhowhegottoAmerica,swammaybe.ButoneeveningIfoundhimstandinginthedriveway,behindmygarage,extremelythin.“MynameTonyTrivionnoandImowyourlawn.”hesaid.Itwashardtocomprehendhis____21____English.“Imowyourlawn,”hesaidagainandwalkedaway.Yes,theseDepressiondayswere____22____,buthowcouldI____23____apersonwhohadcometomeforhelp?WhenIgothomethenextevening,thelawnhadbeenmowed,thewalkssweptandthegardenweeded.____24____,mywifeassumedIhadhiredhim.Itoldherofmy____25____thenightbeforeandwethoughtitstrangethathehadnotaskedfor____26____.Thenexttwodayswerebusy,andIforgotabouthim.ButonFriday,Isawhim,behindmygarageagainandbusyaround.Imanagedto____27____somesmallweeklypayforhimandeachdayhecleaneduptheyardandtookcareofanylittletasks.Hewasveryhelpful____28____therewereanyheavyobjectstoliftorthingstofixinmyfactory.“Iwanttobeanapprentice,”hesaidoneday.____29____wehadagoodPrenticeschoolthattrainedlaborers,Idoubtedwhetherhehadtheabilityto____30____blueprintsandmicrometers.Therefore,hetooka____31____inpaytobecomeanapprentice.Manyyearslater,Ifoundhiminour____32____meetingspot,muchheavierthanheusedtobeandtakingonalookof____33____.Hewasamillionairenow!TonycametoAmerica____34____theAmericanDream.Buthedidnotfindit—he____35____ithimself.Tonydidn’tbeginonthebottomrungoftheladder.Hebeganinthebasement.Tony’saffairsweretiny,andallhehadwere24hoursaday.Hewastednoneofthemandsucceededfinally.21.A.repeatedB.brokenC.strangeD.simple22.A.specialB.boringC.ordinaryD.difficult23.A.giveawayB.turnawayC.pickupD.cheerup,24.A.PreciselyB.FortunatelyC.ApparentlyD.Secretly25.A.impressionB.experienceC.competenceD.anxiety26.A.troubleB.awardC.payD.leave27.A.bringinB.leaveoutC.workoutD.takein28.A.wheneverB.whateverC.whoeverD.however29.A.NowthatB.IncaseC.EvenifD.Eversince30.A.readB.recordC.copyD.draw31.A.riseB.cutC.stepD.break32.A.casualB.memorableC.formalD.familiar33.A.confusionB.confidenceC.innocenceD.astonishment34.A.shiftingB.shapingC.searchingD.seeking35.A.discoveredB.acknowledgedC.deservedD.created【21~35题答案】【答案】21.B22.D23.B24.C25.B26.C27.C28.A29.C30.A31.B32.D33.B34.D35.D第二节(共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分)阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当单词或括号内单词的正确形式．AirCaristhelatestgenerationflyingcar______36______transformsfromroadvehicleintoairvehicleinlessthan3minutes.Usefulforleisureandself-driving______37______(journey),thevehiclecangofromdrivingtoflyingmodewiththeclickofabutton.ThefifthgenerationflyingcardesignedbyProfessorStefanKlein______38______(complete)twoflighttestsatPiestanyairportinSlovakiasofar.Thetwo-seatAirCar______39______(weigh)1,100kgandcancarryanadditionalloadof200kgperflight.______40______(power)byaBMW1.6Lengine,thecar-planehasaneffectivepoweroutputof140HP.Theestimatedtravelrangeofthevehicleis1,000kmandtheflight______41______(consume)is18liters(升)perhour.AirCarcantransformfromaground-basedvehicletoaircraftwithitsspeed______42______(reach)upto200km/h.Butmostimportantly,thestabilityandcontrollabilityoftheAirCaris______43______(access)toanypilot.“WithAirCaryouwillarriveatyourdestination______44______thetroubleofgettingarideto,airportandpassingthroughcommercialsecurity.YoucandriveyourAirCartothegolfcourse,theoffice,theshoppingcentreoryourhotelandpark________45________inanormalparkingspace,”saidAntonZajac,KleinVision’sco-founder,investorandpilot.【36~45题答案】【答案】36.that37.journeys38.hascompleted39.weighs40.Powered41.consumption42.reaching43.accessible44.without45.it第四部分写作(共两节，满分40分)第一节应用文写作(满分15分)46.假如你叫李华，你的英语老师Peter在你因病住院期间经常在线辅导你学习英语，鼓励你积极面对生活，战胜困难，请给他写一封电子邮件，内容包括：1.表示感谢；2.回顾帮助；3.邀请来中国游玩。注意：1.词数80左右；2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。DearPeter,____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Yours,LiHua,【46题答案】【答案】DearPeter,I’mwritingtoexpressmygratitudetoyouforyourhelpandencouragementduringmystayinhospital.Undoubtedly,withoutyourhelpwithmyEnglishonlineeveryday,Icouldn’thavemademyEnglishstudygosmoothlyasusual.Andit’syourfrequentencouragementandpositiveattitudestowardslifethatguidemeoutoflowspiritstodealwithmyillness,studyandlifeinsuchasoundway.ThankyouforyourkindnessagainandIdohopeyouwillcometoChinatohaveanicetripwhereyoucanwitnessinpersontheperfectcombinationofcultureandnature.Yours,LiHua第二节读后续写（满分25分）47.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。Mykneesstartedshaking,yetmybodyfroze;itfeltasthoughmysouldeparted(离开)mybodyandIhadnocontroloverit.Anxiously,Ilookedthroughthenamelistpostedonthewallofthelockerroom;myheartwasbeatingharderandharderasIslowlysawallmyfriends’namesonthatlistbutcouldnotfindmine.John,Bryce,Ro,Ithought,everybodyisonhereexceptme.Atthatmoment,Ifroze;IjustcouldnotacceptthatallmyfriendswereonthebasketballteambutIwasnot.IwassoconvincedtherewasamistakethatIwentandfoundthecoach.“Heycoach,areyousurethatthenamelistyoupostediscorrect?”Iaskedanxiously.“Yes.Sorryifyoudidnotmakeitthisyear.Thereisalwaysnextyear,”thecoachrepliedwithouttheslightestbitofregret.Icouldfeelthehot,bittertearsbuildinginmyeyes,andIranoutoftheroomasfastasIcould.AssoonasIwalkedout,Isawmyfriendscrowdingintothelockerroomtolookattheteamlist.IheardthemshoutingandlaughingasIslowlywalkedaway,everyoneofthemjumpingaroundwithexcitementafterseeingthattheymadetheteam.Ifeltdeadinside，likenothingmattered.Itrudged(步履艰难)throughtherestofschool;walkingwassuchaburdenthatitfeltasifIhada100-poundweighttiedtomybackpack.Mymindwasalsoblankfortherestoftheschoolday;everythingmyteacherssaidwentinoneearandouttheother.,Afterschool,asIwalkedtotheparkinglottogetpickedup,Isawallmyfriendsgatherednearthebackofthelot，celebratingandjokingaround.Idetoured(绕道)aroundthesideoftheschooltoavoidthem,tryingnottothinkaboutbeingoneoftheonlypeopleinourfriendgrouptonotmaketheteam.注意：1.续写词数应为150左右。2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。Isawmyfather’sredcarpullupneartheschoollot.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Afteralmostayearoftraining,Itriedoutformyseventh-gradeteam._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________【47题答案】【答案】Isawmyfather’sredcarpullupneartheschoollot.Iwalkeduptothecarandgotin.Hesmiledatme,playedtheradio,andstarteddrivinghome.Andsoonhenoticedmygloomyface,andaskedmewhatwaswrong.“Nothing.Well,it’sjustthatallmyfriendsmadetheschoolteam.Everyone!Exceptme…”Istammered.“Well,whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”heasked.Surprised,Ididn’tknowwhattosay.Nobodywasgoingtogivemeaspotonthatteam.Iwouldhavetoearnit.Idecidedtotrainformygoalofmakingtheteam.Afterall,Ithought,hardworkbeatstalentwhentalentdoesn’tworkhard.Afteralmostayearoftraining,Itriedoutformyseventh-gradeteam.“Step,dribble,shoot,”I,saidtomyself,“Yougotthis!”Afterthetryout,Ifeltconfidentandcongratulatedmyself.Regardlessoftheoutcome,IknewthatIhadworkedhardandlearnedsomethingaboutmentaltoughness.Thenextday,IfoundoutImadetheteam;seeingmynameprintedinlargeboldlettersfeltasthoughallmydreamscametrueinonewondrousmoment.Thegreatertheeffort,thesweeterthereward,andbymakingtheteam,Ihadofficiallymadeaturnaround.