2024屆云南省曲靖市宣威民族中學(xué)高三第一次調(diào)研測試英語試卷含解析

2024屆云南省曲靖市宣威民族中學(xué)高三第一次調(diào)研測試英語試卷請考生注意：1．請用2B鉛筆將選擇題答案涂填在答題紙相應(yīng)位置上，請用0．5毫米及以上黑色字跡的鋼筆或簽字筆將主觀題的答案寫在答題紙相應(yīng)的答題區(qū)內(nèi)。寫在試題卷、草稿紙上均無效。2．答題前，認(rèn)真閱讀答題紙上的《注意事項》，按規(guī)定答題。第一部分（共20小題，每小題1.5分，滿分30分）1．Afterthreeyearsofpreparationforthe2011Xi’anInternationalHorticulturalExpo(西安園博)會），thecityispresentingtheworld______manypeoplethinkisthegreenSpecialOlympics．A．that B．which C．what D．where2．Largequantitiesoftime______forpractisingguidedwritings.A．wasneeded B．a(chǎn)reneeded C．needs D．isneeded3．ononefootwithyoureyescloseD．a(chǎn)ndyouwillsoonloseyourbalance.A．StandingB．StoodC．TostandD．Stand4．(2013·福建)_____________basicfirst-aidtechniqueswillhelpyourespondquicklytoemergencies.A．Known B．HavingknownC．Knowing D．Beingknown5．Therisinghousepriceandthehighincometaxratehavebecomethebiggest______oftheordinarypeopleinChinatoday． A.concern B.influence C.involvement D.occupation6．Itissaidthattheonlysurvivorinthecarcrashwasbadlyinjured.However,somehowthedoctorsmanagedtohelphim______.A．pullthrough B．putthrough C．lookthrough D．breakthrough7．IfKatehadknownwhatwas_______forher,shewouldnothavemarriedTom.A．inresponse B．inreturnC．inreaction D．instore8．Thedoctor’streatmenthasworkedmarvels:thepatienthascompletely．A．repeated B．returned C．recovered D．reminded9．______inpainting,Johndidn’tnoticeeveningapproaching.A．Toabsorb B．TobeabsorbedC．Absorbed D．Absorbing10．He______itonschedule,butsomehowhefellbehind.A．musthavedone B．mightfinishC．couldhavefinished D．couldfinish11．Thegovernmenthastakensomemeasurestosolvetheshortageofelectricity,butitwillbesometime_________thesituationimproves.A．since B．whenC．unless D．before12．Thepetrolinthecar_____onourwaytothebeach,sowehadtowalkthere.A．gaveup B．gaveoff C．gavein D．gaveout13．Iftheweatherhadbeenbetter,we______apicnicyesterday.A．musthavehad B．wouldhaveC．couldhavehad D．willhave14．Asurveyoftheopinionsofexperts_________thatthreehoursofoutdoorexerciseaweek________goodforone’shealth.A．show;are B．shows;isC．show;is D．shows;are15．Idon’tthinkshevisitedtheexhibitionthismorning,______shewaswithmeatthattime.A．thoughB．orC．butD．for16．Whetherthebuildingsinthisareashouldbepulleddownhasremained____；peoplearestilllookingforotherpossiblesolutions.A．unchallenged B．relevantC．controversial D．contradictory17．Hegetsupatsixo’clock,runsforhalfanhourandthenhasameal;thatishismorning______.A．route B．routineC．behavior D．tendency18．—Didyouenjoytheparty?—Yes.We___________wellbyourhosts.A．weretreated B．wouldbetreatedC．treated D．hadtreated19．—Doyouknowourtownatall?—Surely,thisisthethirdtimeI________here.A．cameB．comeC．havecomeD．a(chǎn)mcoming20．Whatsurprisedusmostisthathedoesn’tknow________thedifferencesbetweenthetwobookslie.A．thatB．whatC．whichD．where第二部分閱讀理解（滿分40分）閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項中，選出最佳選項。21．（6分）EndlessplayingofsongslikeAllIwantforChristmasinshopsduringthefestiveseasondoesn’tjustdriveusmad—thesongsalsomakeusmorecarelesswithourmoney,researchhaswarned.WhilerepeatedperformanceofJingleBellsmayseemlikeaninnocentattempttoraisecustomers’spiritsduringthenightmareofChristmasshopping,thesongsalsohaveamoredelicateimpact.“Backgroundmusic,or“Muzak”,canbeusedbymarketerstoimposecultures---suchasthecommercializationofChristmas---ontoconsumersandinfluencetheirbehaviour,”expertssaid.Dr.AlanBradshawofRoyalHolloway,UniversityofLondon,said,“Festivejinglesareforce-fedtoChristmasshoppersinabidtochangetheirmood,influencetheirsenseoftimeandwhatsortofproductstheybuy.Inotherwords,thisisanattempttocontrolyourshoppinghabitsinawaythatyoumighthardlybeawareof.”“Oftenwearetoldthatwehavethefreedomtochoosewherewewanttoshop,butduringChristmastheuseofmusicinthiswayissocommonthatourfreedomtochoosedisappears.”Dr.BradshawandProfMorrisHolbrookofColumbiaUniversityexaminedthephenomenonandfoundthatretailersoften“dumbdown”themusicplayedinshopstorelaxcustomers,meaningitiseasiertocontroltheirbehaviour.Itisthoughtthatslowingdowntherhythmofmusicinshopscantrickcustomersintothinkinglesstimehaspassed,andthereforespendmoretimeexaminingtheshelves,forexample.Someprovidersofbackgroundmusichavebeenknowntopromotetheirservicesbyclaimingtheycanboostprofitsbycontrollingthebehaviourofcustomers.“Acommontrickistotakeapopularcurrentsongandrecordaninstrumentalversionwhichcanbesloweddownorspedupatdifferenttimeofthedaytoinfluencebehaviourindifferentways,”Dr.Bradshawsaid.Backgroundmusicisoftenclassedas“Muzak”inhonoroftheSeattle-basedcompanywhichbeganproducingitssoft-soundingmelodiesinthe1930s.1、AccordingtoDr.Bradshaw,inwhatwaysdoesChristmasmusicinfluencecustomers?①theirmood②theirincome③theirsenseoftime④thesortofproductstheybuyA．①②③ B．①③④ C．②③④ D．①②④2、Shopkeepersslowdowntherhythmofmusicinshopsto___________.A．letcustomersspendmoretimeshoppingB．makecustomersandsalesassistantsrelaxedC．letcustomersenjoythebeautifulmusicD．helpcustomersfindwhattheyreallywant3、Whatkindofmusicisnowoftenadaptedtoinfluencecustomersinshops?A．Classicalmusic B．Popularmodernsongs. C．Folksongs. D．Jazzmusic.4、Whatisthebesttitleofthepassage?A．MusicmakeshappyChristmasB．Christmas“Muzak”C．HowtomakeChristmasmusic?D．Christmasmusicmakesusspendmore22．（8分）BloodDrive&Marrow（骨髓）Registration“Thesepatientsdeserveachanceatanormalhappyfutureandtheyrelyonthekindnessofthestrangerstomakethathappen.”—Daisy,Isabelle’sMotherIsabelleisthedaughterofDaisyandSamanMirzaei.InJanuary2014Isabelle,12-year-old,wasdiagnosedwithageneticblooddisorder,betathalassemia.Isabelle’sbodyisunabletoproducehealthyredbloodcells.Asaresult,Isabellehasbeenreceivingbloodtransfusions(輸血)every4-6weekssinceshewas13yearsold.Alifetimeofregulartransfusionscanleadtoseriousmedicalproblems.Heronlychanceatanormal,healthylifeistohaveamarrowtransplant.Isabelleisonlyachild,sodoctorshavestartedasearchforanunrelatedmarrowdonorthroughTheMatchRegistry.TheMirzaeifamilyasksthatyouconsiderhelpingpatientslikeIsabellebyregisteringtobeamarrowdonorandgivethegiftoflife,thegiftofblood.HeldatWileyHallWednesday,March26BehindHeathmanDormitory/ButterfieldRd.12:00PM-6:00PMDon’tforgettobringyourdriver’slicenseoranotherformofidentificationwhenyoudonate.Visittomakeanappointment,SponsorCode3390.FREEKingstonPizza!!!MarrowDonors:●18to44yearsold●ingoodhealth●giveaswab(化驗標(biāo)本)ofyourcheekcellsformarrowtyping●FREE—sponsoredbyMichael’sF800－283－8385TheRhodeIslandBloodCenterdistributesbloodproductstohospitalsinRhodeIslandandSouthernNewEngland.1、WhendidIsabellereceivethefirstbloodtransfusion?A．In2014.B．In2015.C．In2016.D．In20172、WhatisthepropersolutiontoIsabelle’sproblem?A．Tobeamarrowdonor.B．Tohaveamarrowtransplant.C．Toproducemorebloodcells.D．Tohavealifetimeofregulartransfusions.3、Whatisamustforthedonor?A．Beingasiudeni.B．Thesimilarexperience.C．Bringingidentification.D．Theswabofyourface.23．（8分）Foodproductiondoesgreatharmtoourenvironment.Therearemanyproceduresinvolvedinthemanufactureoffoodthatresultingreenhousegasesandotherpollutants.Someproceduresrequiretheconsumptionoflargeamountsoffossilfuels,suchasthetransportationandstorageoffoodproducts.Otherfactorsthatcausegreatdamagetoourenvironmentincludetheoveruseoffreshwater.Theproductionofbeefismoredamagingtotheenvironmentthanthatofanyotherfoodweconsume,Raisinglargenumbersofcattlerequirestheproductionoflargeamountsoffoodfortheanimals.It’sestimatedthatproducingonepoundofbeefrequiressevenpoundsoffeed.Landuseisalsoaproblem.Ifthecattlearefree-rangecattle,largeareasoflandarerequiredforthemtoliveon.Thishasledtodisastrousforestcuttingandthelossofrareplantsandanimalspecies,particularlyintropicalrainforestsinCentralandSouthAmerica.Anotherproblemspecifictobeefproductionismethaneemissions(甲烷排放).Althoughmanypeopleareawareofthedamagingeffectsofcarbondioxide,theydon’trealizemethane’sglobalwarmingpotentialis25timesworse,makingitamoredireproblem.Unfortunately,beefconsumptionisgrowingrapidly.Thisistheresultofsimplesupplyanddemandfactors.Specifically,therearetwomaincausesofdemandthatareencouragingtheproductionofmoresupply.First,theincreaseintheworldpopulationmeanstherearemorepeopletoconsumemeat.Thesecondfactorissocioeconomicadvancement.Ascitizensindevelopingnationsbecomefinanciallystable,theycanaffordtobuymoremeat.Therefore,onewaytoreducethegreenhousegasemissionsisforpeoplearoundtheworldtosignificantlycutdownontheamountofbeeftheyeat.1、WhichofthefollowingisTRUE?A．Raisingfree-rangecattleiseco-friendly.B．Peoplecutdowntreesforanimalhabitats.C．Producingbeefcandamagetheenvironment.D．Carbondioxidecausesfarmoreharmthanmethane.2、Theunderlinedword“dire”inPara.4means.A．urgentB．commonC．typicalD．a(chǎn)voidable3、Beefproductionisgrowingrapidlybecause.A．morepeopleareindemandofbeefB．developingcountriesraisemorecattleC．morelandisavailabletoraisecattleD．thecostofraisingcattleisrelativelylow4、Theauthorwritesthisarticleto.A．describetheboomingofthebeefproductionB．emphasizetheadvantagesofbeefproductionC．condemnthedeforestationoftherainforestD．a(chǎn)rgueforadecreaseinbeefconsumption24．（8分）NEWDELHI—InIndia’sspacecenteronthebarrierislandofSriharikota,thewhite-jacketedscientistsheldtheirbreaths.Thecountry’strustyred-and-whitesatellitelaunchvehiclehadliftedoffmomentsbeforeandblastedintoorbit.ThePolarSatelliteLaunchVehicleC-37wasabouttoperformadelicatemaneuver(操縱，任務(wù))—carefullysending104satellitesintotheheavens,thehighestnumbereverattemptedinonemission.OneIndianspaceanalystontelevisionlikenedthecomplicatedmaneuvertodroppingchildrenatdifferentbusstops.About10a.m.Wednesday,theannouncementcame:Allthesatelliteshadbeensuccessfullylaunched.Thescientistsbreathedacollectivesighofrelief,andbackslappingandapplausefollowed.“Thisisagreatmomentforeachandeveryoneofus.Todaywehavemadehistory,”projectmanagerB．Jayakumarsaidafterward.Thetotalnumberofsatellitesfaroutstripped(超過)thepreviousrecord—37atthesametimesentintospacebyRussiain2014.Wednesday’slaunchwasanothersuccessfortheIndianSpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO),whichisrapidlygainingareputationgloballyforitseffectiveyetlow-costmissions.Indiahadalreadysentupdozensofsatellites,including20inonelaunchlastyear.In2014,IndiabecamethefirstAsiannationtosendaprobe(探測器)intoorbitaroundMars,a$74millioneffortthat,asPrimeMinisterNarendraModinotedatthetime,costlessthanwhatittooktomaketheHollywoodspacemovie“Gravity”.ThefiercenationalpridethatresultedafterthatsuccesssenttheMarsproberocketingontothefaceofthecountry’snew2,000rupee($30)currencynote(鈔票)inNovember.“NowIndiaisshowingitscompetitivenessinthe$300billionglobalspacemarket,”saidRajeswariPillaiRajagopalan,headoftheNuclearandSpacePolicyInitiativeattheObserverRearchFoundationinNewDelhi.1、Whatdoestheunderlinedword“l(fā)ikened”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．a(chǎn)pictureoftheLong-marchrocketC．a(chǎn)pictureoftheThree-gorges(峽谷)projectD．PresidentXiJinping’sportrait4、Itcanbeinferredthatafterthesuccessinthe104-satellitelaunch,Indiawill________.A．becomeNo.1intheglobalspacemarketB．takeupalargermarketshareinthefutureC．showitsabilityamonglocalcompetitorsD．haveanorderof$300billion25．（10分）Long,longagotherewerealotofdonkeys.Thedonkeysworkedhardeveryday.Theyhadnotimetoplayortorelax,buttheyneverfeltappreciatedfortheworktheydid.Onedaytwodonkeysgotbored.Theywantedtoliveacomfortablelife,sothedonkeyswenttoseeawiseoldman.Theytoldhimtheirproblem.Thewiseoldmanagreedtheyworkedtoohard,andhewantedtohelpthedonkeys.“Ihaveanidea,”hesaid.“Whatisyouridea?”askedthedonkeys.“Iwillpaintyouandnoonewillknowyouaredonkeys,”saidtheman.Themanwentofftofindsomepaintandhereturnedinjustamatterofminutes.Hehadtwopotsofpaints.Onepotwasfilledwithwhitepaint,andtheotherblackpaint.Theoldmanfirstpaintedthemwhite,andthenpaintedstripes(斑紋)overthewhitepaint.Whenhefinished,thedonkeysdidnotlooklikedonkeysatall.“Younolongerlooklikedonkeys,”theoldmansaid.“Everyonewillbefooled.Iwillcallyousomethingelse,zebras.”Thezebraswenttoafieldtoeatgrass.Nowtheydidnothavetowork.Soon,otherdonkeyssawthezebras.Theyaskedthezebraswheretheycamefrom.Whenthezebrastoldthedonkeystheirsecret,thedonkeysallrushedtoseetheoldman.“Pleasemakeusintozebras,too,”theypleaded.Sothewiseoldmanpaintedmoredonkeys.Ashedid,moreandmoredonkeyscame.Theoldmancouldnotpaintfastenough.Soonthedonkeysbecameimpatient.Theybegantokickabout,andtheyknockedoverthepaintpots.Therewasnomorepaint.Thepainteddonkeysranofftobecomezebras.Theunpainteddonkeys,becauseoftheirimpatience,hadtoreturntowork.1、Thetwodonkeyswenttoseeawiseoldmaninorderto________.A．a(chǎn)skhimforhelpB．becomepatientC．changeintozebrasD．haveashortrest2、Whatdoestheunderlinedword“pleaded”(inParagraph9)mean?A．relaxedB．knockedC．beggedD．a(chǎn)greed3、Whatfinallyhappenedtotheimpatientdonkeys?A．Theywerestilldonkeysworkinghardallthetime.B．Theylookedforanotherwisemantopaintthem.C．Theywonpraisefortheworktheydid.D．Theyhatedthezebrasandfoughtwiththem.4、Whatcanweinferfromthepassage?A．Bothdonkeysandzebrashadtoworkhard.B．Beingpatientisveryimportant.C．Thewiseoldmanwaskilledbytheseimpatientdonkeys.D．Thereisalwaysagoodwaynottoworkhard.第三部分語言知識運用（共兩節(jié)）第一節(jié)（每小題1.5分，滿分30分）閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的A、B、C和D四個選項中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項．26．（30分）Iwas23andstudyingtobeateacherwhenfriendsnoticedIwasslurring(含糊地發(fā)音)myspeechandlosingmybalance.Myconcentration1anditfeltasifmybrainwasslowingdown.Iwas2tofindananswer,andaftercountlesstests,Iwasfinallydiagnosed(診斷)withmultiplesclerosis(多發(fā)性硬化癥).Itwasa3,butIwasrelievedfinallytofindoutwhatwaswrongwithme.Soonaftermydiagnosis,Idecidedto4teaching,theonlycareerIhadeverwantedtochase.Itwasadestructivedecision,butIcouldn’tseea(n)5.Overthenextsevenyears,mysymptomsdidn’t6,buttheycameandwent,whichis7ofmultiplesclerosis.Eventually,Ifeltwellenoughto8ajobasateachingassistant.Iwasgladtobebackineducation,butlivingwiththe9meantthatIwasnevergoingtolivemydreamofbeingateacher.Then,13yearsaftermy10diagnosis,adoctortoldmethatinfactIdidnothavemultiplesclerosis.Iwasvery11.Ipicturedallthoseyearsbed-bound,theinjections(注射),theimpactonfamilyand12,andallforwhat?Idemandedanswersbutthedoctor’sreplieswere13.HesuggestedthatmysymptomsmayhavebeencausedbyalackofvitaminD．Andtherewasno14.I15tothehospital,butnoactionwastaken.Iwenttoalawyer,butbecauseitwasahardcasetoprove,Icouldn’tget16aid.However,acceptingthatmylifewasnolonger17bytheillnesshadthebiggesteffectonmyrecovery.Istartedthejourneybacktobecominga18andcompletedafour-yearOpenUniversitydegreeintwoyears.Iwantedto19thetimeIhadlostinmy20s.I’vejuststartedanewjobinalargeprimaryschool.Itrytoforgettheaccident.What20iswhoIamnow.1、A．increasedB．slippedC．disappearedD．lasted2、A．worriedB．thrilledC．contentD．desperate3、A．shockB．wonderC．dilemmaD．mystery4、A．giveupB．focusonC．setaboutD．stickto5、A．consequenceB．a(chǎn)dvanceC．a(chǎn)lternativeD．purpose6、A．occurB．worsenC．continueD．exist7、A．shortB．fullC．typicalD．worthy8、A．takeoffB．takeonC．takebackD．takein9、A．moodB．jobC．a(chǎn)ssistantD．condition10、A．initialB．theoreticalC．a(chǎn)ccurateD．positive11、A．calmB．a(chǎn)ngryC．happyD．regretful12、A．careerB．healthC．conscienceD．marriage13、A．directB．negativeC．vagueD．proper14、A．excuseB．responseC．questionD．a(chǎn)pology15、A．cateredB．a(chǎn)ppliedC．complainedD．a(chǎn)ppealed16、A．financialB．medicalC．legalD．technical17、A．definedB．simplifiedC．pushedD．a(chǎn)bandoned18、A．leaderB．teacherC．lawyerD．doctor19、A．takeadvantageofB．keeppacewithC．runoutofD．catchupon20、A．stressesB．functionsC．remainsD．counts第二節(jié)（每小題1.5分，滿分15分）閱讀下面材料，在空白處填入1個適當(dāng)?shù)膯卧~或括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。27．（15分）Somepopularplacestovisitarebuiltbypeoplewhileotherfamousplacesarethe1．(create)ofnature.InthenortheastoftheUS,therewasafamousrockonahighmountainthatlookedjustlike2．oldman.3．(locate)inthetownofFranconia,NewHampshire,hehadthickhair,abignoseandabeard.Peoplecalledhim“TheOldManoftheMountain”,whichwasalsoknown4．theGreatStoneFaceanditmeasuredforty5．(foot)tall.Scientiststhoughtthatthestoneface6．(possible)datedbackto17,000yearsago.InMay2003,therewasverybadweatherneartheOldManoftheMountain.Theskywasso7．(cloud)thatpeoplecouldn’tseethestonefaceformanydays.Assoonasthestormwasover,peoplelookedfortheOldMan.Theydiscoveredthathe8．(fall)apart.Anumberofscientistsclimbedup,9．(hope)torepairthestoneface.Buttheyweredisappointedat10．theysaw--thedamagefromtheweatherwasjusttoobad.第四部分寫作（共兩節(jié)）第一節(jié)短文改錯（滿分10分）28．（10分）假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改作文，請你修改你同桌寫的以下作文。文中共有10處語言錯誤，每句中最多有兩處。每處錯誤僅涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號（∧），并在其下面寫出該加的詞。刪除：把多余的詞用斜線（\）劃掉。修改：在錯的詞下劃一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。注意：1、每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；2、只允許修改10處，多者（從第11處起）不計分。Itwas9a、m、、Thesunhasshonebrilliantly、Istoodbythelake,waitedformyturntoboat、Justthen,alittledoglieatmyfeetquietly、“AmIsupposedtotouchthem?”Withlittleexperienceofdealingwithanimals,Ihesitated、Afterwhile,itseemedtobedisappointinganddisappearedfrommysight、LaterIgotachancetorowaboatinthelake、Seeingsomepigeonflyingthewhitewingsintheskyandothersfeedingthemselvesonthebank,Imerrilyrowedtheboat,agentlewindpassingmepleasant、Itisnotuntilyouexperienceinpersonwhenyoucangettherealmeaningfromnature、第二節(jié)書面表達(dá)（滿分25分）29．（25分）《中國詩詞大會》節(jié)目為書香中國，全民閱讀推開一扇窗，迎來一縷曙光。假如你是某校的學(xué)生會主席李華，為配合學(xué)校即將開展的讀書周（ReadingWeek）活動,你打算倡議同學(xué)們多讀書，讀好書。請根據(jù)下面的提示給同學(xué)們些一封倡議書。內(nèi)容包括：1.讀書周活動的宗旨2.讀書的益處3.多讀書的建議注意：1.詞數(shù)不少于100詞。2.可適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié),以使行文連貫。Dearfriends,IamLiHua,presidentoftheStudents’Union.Iamwritingtoappealtoyoutodomorereading.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

參考答案第一部分（共20小題，每小題1.5分，滿分30分）1、C2、B3、D4、C5、A6、A7、D8、C9、C10、C11、D12、D13、C14、B15、D16、C17、B18、A19、C20、D第二部分閱讀理解（滿分40分）閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項中，選出最佳選項。21、1、B2、A3、B4、D22、1、B2、B3、C23、1、C2、A3、A4、D24、Maybenooneforgetstheirfirstbikeandthereisnoexceptiontoawomanlikeme.MinewasaSchwinncoasterbike,second-hand,paintedredandyellowbyitspreviousowner.IrememberridingtoofastdownthebighillonSpringfieldAvenue.Iknewatoncethattheworldwasminetoexplore.Acoupleofyearslater,whenIwas11,mygrandmothervisitedfromEngland,bringingmeabike.Itwasadarkgreenone,withthreegears(齒輪)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(學(xué)校),Isimplyrodewhateverbikesitsgraduateshadleftbehind.Irodearoundthelittletownonbikeswithgearsandbrakesthatoftenfailed.IdidnottakeanyofthosebikeswithmewhenImovedsouthtothecoastaltownwhereInowlive.ButafterawhileImissedriding.Finally,onafallday,Iboughtabike.Calledacomfortbike,ithaswidertiresthanmyoldbikeandsevengears.Butitisgreen—abrightergreenbike.Still,Iwasabitworried;Iwasalotolder.Ibroughtthebikehomeandputon