浙江省台州市九校联盟2021-2022学年高二英语下学期期中考试试题（Word版附答案）

2021学年第二学期台州九校联盟期中联考高二年级英语学科试题考生须知：1.本卷共8页满分150分，考试时间120分钟。2.答题前，在答题卷指定区域填写班级、姓名、考场号、座位号及准考证号并填涂相应数字。3.所有答案必须写在答题纸上，写在试卷上无效。4.考试结束后，只需上交答题纸。本试卷分第Ⅰ卷（选择题）和第Ⅱ卷（非选择题）。第Ⅰ卷1至7页，第Ⅱ卷7至8页。第Ⅰ卷（选择题共95分）第一部分听力（共两节，满分30分）第一节听下面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.【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】Wherewillthewomandoexercise?A.Inagym.B.Inapark.C.Athome.【1题答案】【答案】C2.【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】Whatdidthewomandotomakeherfathersohappy?A.Shedidbestinacontest.B.ShepassedherEnglishexam.C.Shegavetheneighborsahand.【2题答案】【答案】A3.【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】Wherearethespeakersprobablylisteningtothesong?\nA.OnaCDplayer.B.Onaphone.C.Onaradio.【3题答案】【答案】A4.【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】Whatwillthespeakersdofordinner?A.Cookathome.B.Gotoarestaurant.C.Getfooddelivered.【4题答案】【答案】C5.【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】Howmanyducksarethereinthelake?A.Two.B.Ten.C.Twelve.【5题答案】【答案】C第二节听下面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。听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】6.Howmuchmoneywillthewomangettomorrow?A.$200.B.$300.C.$500.7.Wheredoestheconversationtakeplace?A.Atacarrepairshop.B.Atthewoman’soffice.C.Atabank.【6~7题答案】【答案】6.A7.C听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】8.Whichgamedidthewomanlikethebest?A.Thefinalmen’smatch.B.Thefirstmen’smatch.\nC.Thefinalwomen’smatch.9.Whatdoesthewomanthinkaboutthefemalewinner?A.Sheisthebest.B.Sheisveryyoung.C.Sheistoooldtoimprove.【8~9题答案】【答案】8.A9.B听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】10.Whatkindofbookisthewomanreading?A.Ajokebook.B.Apuzzlebook.C.Adetectivenovel.11.Wheredoesthewomangethelp?A.Fromherfather.B.Fromhermathteacher.C.Fromtheanswersinthebook.12.Whatistheprobablerelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A.Classmates.B.Brotherandsister.C.Librarianandreader.【10~12题答案】【答案】10.B11.A12.B听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】13.Whatistheschoolraisingmoneyforthisyear?A.Sportsequipment.B.Anexercisepark.C.Schoolmaterials.14Howmuchmoneywasraisedforthesecondyear?A.$1000.B.$2000.C.$4000.15.Whatwillthewomanbeinchargeof?A.Moneycollection.B.Gameorganization.C.Foodandmusic.16.Whichactivityisespeciallypreparedforkids?A.Themagicshow.B.Theoutdoormovie.C.Themusicshow.\n【13~16题答案】【答案】13.B14.A15.B16.A听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。【此处可播放相关音频，请去附件查看】17.Whatisthespeakermainlytalkingabout?A.Hiscareerchoices.B.Hisworkingplaces.C.Hisbusinessdevelopment.18.Whatwasthespeaker’sfirstopinionofcleaning?A.Itwasanart.B.Itwasascience.C.Itwasatrouble.19.Whatdidthecompanycleanwhenitstarted?A.Offices.B.Privatehouses.C.Apartmentblocks.20.Whatkindofcleaningmaterialsdoesthecompanyuse?A.Acids.B.Naturalsoaps.C.Chemicals.【17~20题答案】【答案】17.C18.C19.B20.B第二部分阅读理解（共两节，满分35分）第一节（共10个小题；每小题2.5分，满分25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，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。ALisawalkedintothechorusroomwithasmileonherface.Theclasswasauditioning(试演)forpartsintheholidaymusical.Lisalovedtosingandthiswasherchancetogetoneoftheleadroles.Mr.Beckmanpassedoutlyricsfortheauditions.Lisacouldhardlywaittosingquietlytoherself.Mr.Beckmantappedhisbatononthemusicstandatthefrontoftheroom.“Iknowyou’reallexcitedtoaudition,butbeforewedoIhaveanannouncement.Thisyearwillwitnessaveryspecialperformancebyaselectnumberofstudents,”Mr.Beckmansaid.Lisasqueezedthesheetmusicinherhands.Maybeitwasachancetobefeaturedasoneofthebestsingers.“Theseindividualswillbedressedindistinctivecostumesandwillsetthestagefortherestoftheshow,”Mr.Beckmancontinued.“Brandon,Adriana,Tina,andLisa,wouldyoucomeupfrontplease?”“Yes!”Lisayelled,rushingtothefrontoftheroom.\nMr.Beckmanremovedacostumefromthesupplycloset,“Youfourwillbeourwoodensoldiers!”Lisastaredatthestrangeclothes.“Nooneisgoingtorecognizeuswearingthose!”“Don’tworry,Lisa.YournameswillbelistedintheprogramunderWoodenSoldiers.”Mr.Beckmansaid.“Butevenmyownparentswon’tbeabletotellwhichsoldierisme!”“Thisisaveryspecialhonor,”Mr.Beckmansaid,“Lisa,Iselectedthetopstudentsintheclasstoopentheshowforus.You’llneedtolearnaspecialmarchanddance,butifyoudon’twanttobeasoldier,Icanassigntheparttosomeoneelse.”Lisasawafewofherclassmates’eyeswidenatthethoughtoftakingherplace.MaybebeingasoldierwasagoodthingsinceMr.Beckmanhadchosenher,andshewasn’tgoingtolethimdown.“Canwestartpracticingourmarch?”Lisaasked.21.WhywasLisainthechorusroom?A.Shewaswatchingtheauditionfortheholidaymusical.B.Shewantedtoauditionforapartintheschoolmusical.C.ShewantedtoconvinceMr.Beckmanthatshewasqualifiedtobeasoldier.D.Shewasattendinghermusicclassinherschool.22.WhydidMr.BeckmantaphisbatononthemusicstandinParagraph2?A.Hewantedeveryonetogetinvolvedintheaudition.B.Hewantedpeopletovolunteertobeasoldier.C.Hewastryingtogettheattentionoftheclass.D.Hewashavingtroublingholdingontothebaton.23.WhatcanweinferaboutLisaatlast?A.Shewasunwillingtoberecognizedbyparents.B.Sheexpectedtobereplacedbyothers.C.Shecomplainedaboutbeingasoldier.D.Shethoughtitagreathonortobeasoldier.【21~23题答案】【答案】21.B22.C23.DBClaraBarton,bornonDecember25,1821,iswidelyknownasoneofthemosthonoredwomeninAmericanhistory.ShelivedinWashington,D.C.,whentheCivilWarbeganin1861.Sheheardstoriesofwoundedandsufferingsoldiers.Sheimmediatelyrecognizedthatthepoorlyequipped\nsoldiersneededhelp.Insteadofwaitingforotherstostepin,Claracollectednecessarythingsonherown,askedthepublicfordonationsandlearnedhowtostoreanddistributethemtothesoldiersinthebattlefield.AftertheBattleofCedarMountaininnorthernVirginiain1863,Claraarrivedatafieldhospitalatmidnightwithavehiclefullofsupplies.AdoctornamedPaulSmithatthathospitalwouldlaterwrite,“Ithoughtheavenhadsentoutanangelthatnight—herassistancearrivedatexactlytherighttime.Afterfouryearsofhardwork,ClarafellillandmovedtoSwitzerlandtorecover.ItwastherethatshefirstlearnedaboutagroupcalledtheRedCross.Thisgroupworkedtohelppeoplewhoweresufferingduringtimesofwar.ButtheUnitedStatesdidnottakepartinthen.Clara,returnedhomeandbegantoestablishtheRedCrossinAmerica.Sheworkedhard,travellingtoWashingtonforsupport,gavespeechesandwrotearticlestowinthesupportofthepublic.ShetoldpeopletheRedCrosswasnotonlyimportantduringtimesofwar,butalsousefulinpeacetime.Thisgottheattentionofboththepublicandthepoliticians,andthustheAmericanAssociationoftheRedCrosscameintobeingin1881.ClaraBartonretiredfromtheRedCrossin1904.Shedied8yearslateronApril12,1912.HerlegacywiththeAmericanRedCrossliveson.24.WhatdidClaraBartonwanttododuringthewartime?A.Helpsomefamiliestorebuildtheirhome.B.Advisethegovernmenttobuysomemedicalsupplies.C.Treatthewoundedsoldiersbyherself.D.Collectmoneytobuymedicalsupplies.25.AsismentionedinParagraph2,whenseeingClaraBarton’sarrival,howdidDr.Smithfeel?A.Proudandjoyful.B.Excitedandgrateful.C.Shyandnervous.D.Exhaustedandupset.26.Whatwastheauthor’spurposeforwritingthispassage?A.ToexplainhowdangerousbeingasoldierwasduringtheCivilWar.B.TocompareandcontrasttheRedCrossinSwitzerlandandAmerica.\nC.Todescribeanimportanthistoricalfigure.D.ToillustratethehistoryoftheRedCross.【24~26题答案】【答案】24.D25.B26.CCWhatisbetterforyou?Exercisinginthegreatoutdoors,orsigningupforagym?Totryandfindout,theGuardianwasinvitedtospendamonthworkingwithfitnessandsportspsychologyexpertsatBathUniversityandtheNationalTrust.Theconceptwasthatparticipants—includingme—wouldspendalternateweeksexercisinginagymandonNationalTrustland.Thefirstweekwasspentontheexercisebikes,rowingmachinesandtreadmills(跑步机)inagymat Bath.Gettingstartedatthegymwaseasy.Therewasanicecommunitytoo.Peoplearegentlyteasingandencouragingeachother.Onthedownside,itwashardtoignorethebackgroundnoiseofdanceandpopmusic.Andallthemachinesfacedscreensshowingmusicvideos,rollingnewsandsportschannels.Notaplacetogetawayfromitall.SoitwasareliefinweektwotoheadforthehillsofDyrham,aNationalTrustparklandfullofbirdsanddeer.Weeksthreeandfourfollowedthesamepattern.ThediariesIhadkept,questionnairesIhadfilledin,andheartmonitorsIhadworn,werethenanalysedbyscientistsfromBathUniversity.Thefindingssurprisemeabit.TheheartmonitorsshowedIhadconsumedasimilaramountofenergywhetherexercisinginthegymoroutdoors.But fitnessexpertMartynStandagewasmostinterestedinthefactthatonthedayswhenmyexercisehadbeendoneoutside,Iusedmoreenergythroughtherestoftheday.Standagesaidthisfittedwithstudiesthatsuggestworkingoutintheoutdoorsleadstoagreaterfeelingofvitality(活力).JoBarton,whospecialisesinstudyingoutdoorexercise,suggestedthatworkingoutinthefreshaircouldbe“life-changing”.“Exercisinginnatureliftsyourmoodandincreasesyourself-respect,”shesaid.Myverdict?Itwasmorefunoutsidebutsometimesmoreconvenienttogettothegym.Abitofbothmaybethewayforward.27.Whichshowstheauthor’sexercisepatterninthefourweeks?\nA.intheoutdoors→intheoutdoors→inthegym→inthegymB.inthegym→inthegym→intheoutdoors→intheoutdoorsC.intheoutdoors→inthegym→intheoutdoors→inthegymD.inthegym→intheoutdoors→inthegym→intheoutdoors28.Whatcanweinferabouttheauthor?A.Heusedmoreenergywhenexercisingindoors.B.Hefeltmoreenergeticafterexercisingoutdoors.C.Hewasverytiredafterfinishingdailyexercise.D.Hesummarizedthefindingsaftertheexperiment.29.WhatwasBarton’sattitudetooutdoorexercise?A.Supportive.B.Doubtful.C.Tolerant.D.Uncaring.30.Theunderlinedword“verdict”inthelastparagraphcanbeunderstoodas__________.A.concernB.opinionC.chanceD.challenge【27~30题答案】【答案】27.D28.B29.A30.B第二节（共5个小题；每小题2分，满分10分）根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。Everyonewantstohaveahealthyheart.Thegoodnewsisthatsomesimple,everydayhabitscanmakeabigdifferenceinyourabilitytoliveahealthylifestyle.Herearetheworsthabitsforyourheart,andhowtoavoidthem.1.Leavingdepressionunchecked____31____Itcancausedamagetoyourheart.Everyonefeelsthiswaysomeofthetimeandhowyouhandletheseemotionscanaffectyourhearthealth.Thosewhoarelikelytointernalize(使内在化)stressareingreaterdanger.Researchhasshownthebenefitofsocialsupport.____32____2.WithdrawingfromtheworldIt’snosecretthatonsomedays,otherhumanbeingscanseemannoyingandjustdifficulttogetalongwith.____33____Peoplewithstrongercontactwithfamily,friends,andsocietyingeneraltend\ntolivelonger,healthierlives.Youshouldreachouttoothersandkeepintouchwheneveryoucan.3.Overeating____34____Trytoeatless,avoidoversizeportions,andreplacesugarydrinkswithwater.Doctorsalsosuggestcuttingportionsizesforhigh-caloriecarbohydrates(碳水化合物)andwatchingoutforfoodslabeled“low-fat”,whichareoftenhighincalories.4.____35____“Themostheart-healthydietisaplant-baseddiet”,Dr.Ostfeldsays.Thatmeansloadinguponfruitandvegetables,nuts,wholegrains,low-fatdairy,andprotein,andkeepingjunkfoodtoaminimum.Researchhasfoundthatpeoplewhoeatmorethanfiveservingsoffruitandvegetablesadayhadabout20%lowerriskofheartdiseaseandstrokethanpeoplewhoatelessthanthreeservingsperday.A.LivingonjunkfoodB.AvoidingfruitandvegetablesC.It’susefultohandleyourmoodsproperly.D.Areyoufeelingunhappyandwithouthopeforthefuture?E.Andit’shelpfultogotosomeoneandtalkaboutyourproblems.F.Beingoverweightcanincreasetheriskofdevelopingheartdisease.G.However,itmakessensetostrengthenyourcontactwiththeonesyouactuallylike.【31~35题答案】【答案】31.D32.E33.G34.F35.B第三部分语言运用（共两节，满分45分）第一节完形填空（共20个小题；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，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。Aftersteppingoutoftheinternationalplane,Irealizedmy10-hoursleepyvoyagefinallycametoanend.Igotonthebusandwaswaitinganxiouslyforitto____36____.Awoman,sittingnexttome,andherdaughterbothseemeduncomfortable.Shetoldmethatherdaughterhadanupsetstomachandwouldthrowupcontinuously;____37____,themotherhadlosther____38____.Apartfromalargesumofmoney,thepursealsocontainedherphoneandaphonenumberofanimportant____39____,apersonshewastravelling90kilometerstomeetfordiscussing\na(n)____40____matterwhichhadtobesettledbytomorrowmorning.____41____shefinishedherstory,Ihandedhermycellphoneandtoldherthatshecouldmakeanycallshewanted.IalsoofferedabottleofwaterIhadinmybagto____42____herdaughter’ssickness.Aftermakingseveralcalls,theyfinally____43____totheofficial!Withtheirproblem____44____,asmileofreliefspreadacrossthemother’s____45____andtheythankedmemanytimes.Thewomantriedtopayformy____46____,butIjumpedtodoitbeforeher____47____Iknewshehadlosthermoney.Nextmorning,Ireceivedacallfromthemother,sayingthattheycouldn’ttellhowmuchmy____48____acttouchedthem.Iwas____49____tobethankedinthisway.Ineverthoughtmysimpleoffer____50____somuchinherheart.____51____,Igotmorehelpfromthem.IcametorealizeIhadlostmanyopportunitiesforkindnessbecausemyattentionwasalways____52____bycellphones.This____53____experienceremindedmethatthereshouldbesomethingmoreimportantappealing____54____me:therealityaroundme—somethingwitheasyaccessmaymakeabig____55____toothers.36.A.breakoutB.pickoutC.leaveoutD.setout37.A.neverthelessB.besidesC.thereforeD.thus38.A.appetiteB.phoneC.purseD.device39.A.officialB.politicianC.journalistD.genius40.A.vastB.abnormalC.crucialD.relevant41.A.UltimatelyB.MerelyC.InstantlyD.Barely42.A.easeB.proceedC.resistD.defeat43.A.cameoverB.gotthroughC.lookedupD.walkedover44.A.adoptedB.revealedC.settledD.approved45.A.chinB.waistC.chestD.cheek46.A.waterB.ticketC.routeD.favor47.A.sinceB.thoughC.unlessD.asif48.A.appropriateB.efficientC.kindD.reliable49.A.blessedB.amusedC.astonishedD.ashamed50.A.assessedB.occupiedC.evaluatedD.valued\n51.A.InawordB.InasenseC.InconsequenceD.Inconclusion52.A.distractedB.extractedC.delayedD.bothered53.A.superbB.splendidC.nobleD.occasional54.A.toB.fromC.ofD.in55.A.contributionB.adjustmentC.reputationD.difference【36~55题答案】【答案】36.D37.B38.C39.A40.C41.C42.A43.B44.C45.D46.B47.A48.C49.C50.D51.B52.A53.D54.A55.D第Ⅱ卷(非选择题)第二节（10个小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。Thisyear,IhavebeenlivinginQuebec,aprovinceofeasternCanada.WhenIfirst____56____(arrive),thethingIwasmostscaredaboutwasthewinter.Whatwoulditbeliketohavethreemetresofsnow?Wouldschool____57____(cancel)becausetheweatherwassobad?AndwhatwasIgoingtodoforthose6months?Asyoumightexpect,Ineedn’thaveworried.Heresnowisapartofeverydaylifeforhalfoftheyear.Itisillegal____58____(drive)withoutwintertyresonyourcarbetweenDecemberandFebruary.Nobodywouldeverconsider____59____(wear)anyotherfootwearthansolidlywaterproofwinterbootswhenthereissnowontheground.Andwhat’s____60____(importance)isthatlifegoeson,regardlessoftheweather.Trainsandbusescontinueasnormal,peoplesocializeandevenbetter:alotofnewsportstakeover,such____61____skiing,iceskatingandcross-countryskiing.IthinkthismakesCanadaoneofthe____62____(good)countriestolivein,astherearefewotherplacesintheworld____63____it’spossibletoenjoytherangeofsportsthattheCanadianshave.Therefore,toanswerthosefirstfew____64____(question),havingthreemetresofsnowwasprettyawesome.Iwassooccupiedenjoyingallthesecoolsports____65____winterfinishedsoonbeforeIknewit.【56~65题答案】【答案】56.arrived\n57.becancelled58.todrive59.wearing60.important61.as62.best63.where64.questions65.that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）66.假定你是李华，想邀请你校交换生Allen一同参观正在市艺术中心举办的以MyPeople,MyCountry为主题的书法绘画展（calligraphyandpaintingexhibition)。请给他写一封电子邮件，内容包括：1.参观目的；2.参观内容；3.约定时间。注意：1.词数80左右；2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________【66题答案】【答案】DearAllen,HearingthatyouareinterestedinChineseculture,I’mwritingtoinviteyoutoattendthecalligraphyandpaintingexhibitionbeingheldintheArtsCentreofourcity.Theshow,whosethemeis“MyPeople,MyCountry”,displaysavarietyofclassicpaintingsaboutthediligentChinesepeopleandtheirhappylife,fromwhichyoucanalsolearnaboutthebigchangeandtherapiddevelopmentofthecountryinrecentyears.Besides,somegreatcalligraphyworksfromsomewell-knownartistsareincluded.I’msureyouwillbeveryinterestedinthem.\nWillyoubeavailableonSaturdaymorning?Iwouldliketopickyouupat8:30a.m.attheschoolgate.Lookingforwardtoyourearlyreply.Yourssincerely,LiHua第二节：读后续写（满分25分）67.阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。Backinthe1940s,inmytown,everybodykneweverybodyelse.Weneighborhoodchildrenplayedfreelytogetheronthenarrowstreets,whilefromwindowsandbalconiesadultskeptawatchfuleyeonus.ItwasonlymylonelyfriendJoséManuelwhowasforbiddenfromjoiningus.“Look,Evelyn,”whisperedAmalia.“He’supthereagainwatchingusplay.”Therehewas,sittingonhisbalconyfloor.Hepeeredsadlydownatusthroughtheironrailing.Whilefeelingdangerous,hisgrandmawouldnotlethimplaydownstairs,nomatterhowhardhebegged.Furthermore,shekepttoherselfandneversmiled,somostofuswereafraidofher.“Oneday,”Amaliasuddenlyannounced,“I’mgoingtoaskhisgrandmatolethimcomedownandplay.Maybesheisnotsoserious!”Ifanyonewouldhavethecouragetodothat,itwasmylittlesisterAmalia.ItwasJune23,andthatnightwastheNightofSanJuan.Forthisholiday,thetraditionwastogotothebeachandatexactlymidnight,everyonewouldwalkbackwardintothesea.Peoplesaythatdoingthisthreetimesthatnightbringsgoodluck.IthoughtofmyfriendJoséManuel.Perhapsifhedidthiswithus,hisluckwouldchange,andhisgrandmawouldallowhimtoplaywithusoutsideonthestreet.Backonthestreetweheardthevegetablevendor(小贩)chanting:“Isellcassavaplantains,tomatoes!”Hecamearoundeveryeveningtosellhisfreshcassava,plantains,tomatoes,andotherfruitsandvegetables.Leaningfromherbalcony,abigwomanloweredabasketthatwastiedbyaropetotherail.Initwasthemoneythatthevendorreplacedwithtwogreeneggplants.AsweapproachedourstreetIsawJoséManuelandhisgrandmaoutonthesecondfloor.ShegaveJoséManuelmoneyandwentbackinside.Hewasabouttolowerhisbasketwhenwethoughtmaybetherewasawaywecouldaskhimtojoinus.\n注意：1.所续写短文的词数应为150字左右；2.至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；3.续写部分分成两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；4.续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。Paragraph1:“Tellhimtodropsomethingandwe’llgouptoreturnit!”Amaliajumpedupanddownforthesmartidea._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph2:Withasoundthedoorslowlyopened,andtherestoodJoséManuel’grandmawearingafrown._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________【67题答案】【答案】“Tellhimtodropsomethingandwe’llgouptoreturnit!”Amaliajumpedupanddownforthesmartidea.WewroteanoteandaskedthevegetablevendortoplaceitinJoséManuel’sbasketnexttothevegetables.Weimpatientlywaitedonthecornerwhilewatchingwithourheartspumping.Puzzled,heopenedthenote.Soonhereturnedwithhislittleredball.Hehadjustsatdowntoplaywhensuddenlytheballfellfromthebalcony.Amaliaflewafteritandgotit.Thetimeforustodoourtrickcame.Palmssweating,Amaliaknockedloudlyonthewoodendoor.Withasoundthedoorslowlyopened,andtherestoodJoséManuel’sgrandmawearingafrown.“ThisbelongstoJoséManuel,”AmaliashowedtheballtoJoséManuel’sgrandma.Takingadeepbreathandastepforward,“Wealsowantedtoknowifhecouldcometothebeachtonightwithourfamily.”Muchtoourastonishment,thegrandmanoddedandeveninvitedustocomeinforcookies.\nLatethatnightwasspecial,forwehadJoséwithustothebeachaswasourtraditionontheNightofSanJuan.Bathedinthegentlemoonandsurroundedbyrushingwavers,IwassuregoodluckwouldcometoJosé.