【統(tǒng)考】湖南省岳陽市2024屆高三下學(xué)期三模英語試題

姓名____________________準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)____________________岳陽市2024屆高三教學(xué)質(zhì)量監(jiān)測(cè)（三）英語試卷注意事項(xiàng)：1.本試卷分為四部分，共12頁(yè)。2.答題前，考生務(wù)必將自己的姓名，準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)與校名填寫在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置。3.全部答案在答題卡上完成，答在本試卷上無效。選擇題部分第一部分聽力（共兩節(jié)，滿分30分）做題時(shí)，先將答案標(biāo)在試卷上。錄音內(nèi)容結(jié)束后，你將有兩分鐘的時(shí)間將試卷上的答案轉(zhuǎn)涂到答題紙上。第一節(jié)（共5小題；每小題1.5分，滿分7.5分）聽下面5段對(duì)話。每段對(duì)話后有一個(gè)小題，從題中所給的A、B、C三個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。聽完每段對(duì)話后，你都有10秒鐘的時(shí)間來回答有關(guān)小題和閱讀下一小題。每段對(duì)話僅讀一遍。例：Howmuchistheshirt?A.￡19.15. B.￡9.18.C.￡9.15.答案是C。1.Whatwillthewomanprobablydonext?A.Helpwearatie. B.Buydadasuit. C.Talkaboutamatch.2.Howisthemanfeelingnow?A.Excited. B.Annoyed. C.Tired.3.Whereprobablyarethespeakers?A.Inthestreet. B.Inasupermarket. C.Inabank.4.Whatarethespeakerstalkingabout?A.Aformercolleague. B.Achangeoftheirjobs. C.Anewcompany.5.Whatisthetotalvalueofthetoycars?A.￡50. B.￡130. C.￡150.第二節(jié)（共15小題；每小題1.5分，滿分22.5分）聽下面5段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白。每段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白后有幾個(gè)小題，從題中所給的A、B、C三個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。聽每段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白前，你將有時(shí)間閱讀各個(gè)小題，每小題5秒鐘；聽完后，各小題將給出5秒鐘的作答時(shí)間。每段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白讀兩遍。聽第6段材料，回答第6、7題。6.Whatdoesthewomanwanttodo?A.Cleanthewindow. B.Takeaseat. C.Buyacard.7.Whatistheprobablerelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A.Strangers. B.Neighbors. C.Classmates.聽第7段材料，回答第8至9題。8.Howdoesthemanexercisethisweek?A.Bygoingtothegym. B.Byplayingwiththedog. C.Bycyclingtoandfromwork.9.WhatdidthemandothisWednesday?A.HewatchedTV. B.Heattendedameeting. C.Hedidalotofexercise.聽第8段材料，回答第10至13題。10.Whatisthewoman’strouble?A.Shefailstopayattentioninclass.B.Shecan’tkeepupwithherclassmates.C.Shedoesn’tknowhowtowritethepaper.11.Whatisthemanbusydoing?A.Formingagroup. B.Chairingmeetings. C.Gettingreadyforaplay.12.Whatwillthewomanprobablydotonight?A.Watcharace. B.Haveagoodrest. C.Gotoabirthdayparty.13.Whydoesthemandecidetotakepartintheruntomorrow?A.Tosupportthewoman. B.TohelpthekidsinAfrica. C.Toraisemoneyforaparty.聽第9段材料、回答第14至17題。14.Whenistheconversationprobablytakingplace?A.InJune. B.InSeptember.C.InOctober.15.Whydidthespeakersgotothemuseum?A.Theirteachertookthemthere.B.Itwasfortheirhistoryhomework.C.Theirteacheradvisedthemtogothere.16.Whatdidthewomanfindmostimpressive?A.Thecalligraphyexhibition.B.Theuniquedesignofthebuilding.C.Thenumberofthemuseum’scollections.17.Howwillthespeakersprobablygobacktothehotel?A.Bybicycle.B.Onfoot.C.Bysubway.聽第10段材料，回答第18至20題。18.Whydoesthespeakergivethetalk?A.Tosharehisteachingexperience.B.TointroduceanEnglishprogram.C.ToencouragestudentstolearnEnglish.19.HowoldisSpeakUpLondon?A.5yearsold. B.10yearsold. C.15yearsold.20.Whatdoesthespeakersayabouttheclasses?A.Theyaregiveninmanyways.B.Theyaredesignedforthebeginners.C.Theyarearrangedinafixedschedule.第二部分閱讀（共兩節(jié)，滿分50分）第一節(jié)（共15小題；每小題2.5分，滿分37.5分）閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。ARewardsatWestExeSchoolWestExeSchoolisafullyinclusivecomprehensivesecondaryschool.Listedbelowarethewaystheschoolcelebratesuccesswithstudents,parentsandstaffduringtheacademicyear.MeritBadgesMeritbadgesareawardedinlinewiththestudentqualities.E.g.,whenastudentreaches200meritsinasemesterforbeingkind,theyreceivetheirkindmeritbadge.TheWestExeshieldisawardedtostudentswhohaveachievedallsixmeritbadges.TheGoldenTicketEverytwoweeks,allmembersofstaffhavea‘GoldenTicket’whichtheycanawardtoanystudentwhohasdisplayedwhatthestudentqualitiesstandfor.Therewillbeabi-weeklyfocusononeofthestudentqualitiesaspositivereinforcement.Thegoldenticketsawardedarethenplacedinaprizedraw,forprizessuggestedbythestudentbody.PunctualityAwardStudentswhoareontimeforeverylessonacrosstheweekwillbeenteredintoaprizedraw.Thisistopromotetheimportanceofpunctualityinschoolandinlife.HeadteacherRewardHeadteacher’sRewardisgiventostudentswhohavebeennominated(提名)bystaffmemberseverymonthfordemonstratingthequalities,behaviorsandvaluesofwhatitmeanstobeanexceptionalWestExeStudent.Theyarealsoawardedtostudentswhohaveshownexceptionalachievement,eitherinschooloraspartofanextracurricularactivity.Thisincludesacertificateandpen,withalettergoinghometoparentstosharenewsoftheyoungperson’sachievement.21.Whichofthefollowingrewardsisgivenmostfrequently?A.MeritBadges. B.TheGoldenTicket.C.PunctualityAward. D.HeadteacherReward.22.WhatdoweknowaboutHeadteacherReward?A.Allstaffmemberscanbenominatedfortheaward.B.Studentsrewardedwillreceiveacertificateandaletter.C.Parentsofthestudentsawardedwillbehonoredwithaletter.D.Onlystudentsmakingoutstandingachievementsinschoolcanbeawarded.23.Whereisthetextprobablytakenfrom?A.Aschoolwebsite.B.Anewsreport.C.Atravelleaflet. D.Abookreview.BDebraFerrellgotthestandardwellwishesonFacebookonher53rdbirthday,butshegotsomeunusualmessagestoo.OnewasaboutafamilyinMinnesotawhohadjustlosttheirfour-year-oldsontocancer..Hisolderbrother,autistic(患孤獨(dú)癥的)andnonverbal,wasextremelysad.CouldFerrellhelp?Thatmessageandthe30orsootherslikeitwereexactlywhatFerrellwaslookingfor.Tocelebrateher53rd,thelongtimesocialserviceprofessionalandwell-knownsweetiehadputoutacallonherFacebookpage.Shewantedtocommit53randomactsofkindnessbytheendofherbirthmonth,andsheneededinformationonpeoplewhocoulduseone.WhenshegotthenoteabouttheMinnesotafamily,shesentawindchime(風(fēng)鈴)withthemessage“ListentothewindandknowthatIamnear”writtenontheclapper.Itnowhangsinthefour-year-old’sbedroom,wherehisbrothercangotolistentoitwheneverhewants.ThisisnotthefirsttimethatFerrelldecidedtogivegiftsforherbirthday.Forher47th,in2014,shefoundedLovewithSkinOn,anorganizationdedicatedtodoinggooddeedsnearherhomeinRoanoke,Virginia,andbeyond.Itsmottoissimple:BeLove,DoStuff.Overtheyears,Ferrellhasreachedoutandtouchedwellover100strangers,somefoundviaFacebookcallouts,otherswithhelpfromhergrandkids.Inanotheractofgiving,shesharesherfavoriteinexpensiveandcreativegiftideasonPinterestforotherstouse.Ferrellpaysforeverythingherself:giftcards,pay-it-forwardpurchasesatdrive-throughs,andcarepackages,aswellasthegasittakestoplayfairygodmother.Herfamilyoftengiveshersomeextrabirthdaycashwithaseriouswarningnottospenditonanyoneelse,whichshenaturallyignores.“IgotacoupleofAmazongiftcardsformybirthdaythisyearandwaslike‘YESSS!’”It’sFerrell’sparty,andshe’llgiveifshewantsto.24.WhatdidDebraFerrellreceiveonherbirthday?A.Messagesaskingforhelp. B.Randomactsofkindness.C.GiftsfromLovewithSkinOn. D.Wishesondifferentsocialmedia.25.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“It”inparagraph2referto?A.Theclapper.B.Thewindchime.C.Themessage.D.Thenote.26.Whatcanbeconcludedfromthelastparagraph?A.Ferrelwillholdaparty.B.Ferrelcareslittleaboutherfamily.C.Ferrelwillcontinuehelpingstrangers.D.Ferrelpaysforeverythingforherfamily.27.WhichofthefollowingwordscanbestdescribeFerrell?A.Generousandloving. B.Selflessandindependent.C.Warm-heartedandtolerant. D.Determinedanddemanding.CRichvarietyexistsinprimates(靈長(zhǎng)目動(dòng)物).MonkeysrollonsnowyJapanesemountains,gorillaschewfruitonSumatra,lemursjumpbetweentreesinMadagascar,andthenakedapes—humans—walkproudlyontwolegsworldwide.ScientistscannowstudytheDNAdifferencesbeyondthatdiversity,thankstoadatabankofgenomes(基因組)from233species.Tounderstandthegoodandbadofhumanevolution—bothourextraordinaryadaptationsanddisease-causingchanges—scientistsmustcomparethegenomesofHomosapiens(智人)toourclosestevolutionaryrelatives,theprimates.Butresearchersinvestigatingdiversetopics,fromcontemporarygeneticdiseasestohumanorigins,havelongfacedaroadblockwhenpursuingthisapproach:Whilegenomicdataexistsfrommillionsofpeople,mostofthe500-plusprimatespeciesneverhadtheirgenomesread.So,in2019,TomàsMarquès-BonetattheInstituteofEvolutionaryBiology,inBarcelona,Spain,andotherbiologiststeamedupwithdiseaseresearchersatthecompanyIllumina,determinedtoobtainasmanyprimategenomesaspossible.Navigatingwildernessandlocalpermittinglaws,theinternationalresearchersobtainedhundredsofbloodsamplesfromwildandcagedanimalsinSouthAmerica,Africa,andAsia.ArrangingDNAfromthesesamplesandaddingdatafrompreviousstudies,theteambuiltabankof809genomesfromindividualbaboons,gorillas,gibbons,andmore,representingnearlyhalftheknownprimatespecies.Thedatarevealedinsightsabouthumanoriginsandhealth,aswellasprimateconservation,publishedbymorethan100scientistsacross10papersinScienceandScienceAdvancesinJune2023.OnestudytrainedartificialintelligencetosearchhumangenomesforDNAdifferenceslikelytocausedisease,basedonwhethernonhumanprimatescanlivewiththosevariants.AccordingtoMarquès-Bonet,“Wenowhaveareallygoodlistofthefoundationsofourspecies”anda“goodideaofthekindofvariationsthataretoleratedinanyprimate”—includinghumans.28.Whatcanwelearnfromparagraph1?A.Primatesvarymainlyinhabitats.B.Scientistsfocusonthediversityofprimates.C.Thereare233speciesofprimatesintheworld.D.PrimategenomesareimportantforstudyingtheDNAdifferences.29.Whydidthescientistsbuildthedatabankofgenomes?A.Tocurehuman’svariousgeneticdiseases.B.Tohelphumanadapttotheenvironment.C.Toinvestigatetheprocessofhumanevolution.D.Tounderstandthestrengthanddrawbackofhumanevolution.30.Whatisparagraph3mainlyabout?A.Thereasonsforbuildingthedatabank.B.Theprocessofbuildingthedatabank.C.Theimpactsofbuildingthedatabank.D.Thedifficultiesinbuildingthedatabank.31.WhatdoesMarquès-Bonetthinkofthedatabank?A.Itstillneedstobeimproved.B.Itisofgreatvaluetofutureresearch.C.Itisoflittlehelptofutureresearch.D.Itisunclearwhetherit’sofhelptofutureresearch.DGenerativeAlmustseemlikeasuperweapontopeoplewhoaimtocausedisagreementandargumentonline.Deep-fakevideosimitatepublicfigures.Crowdsofconversationalchatbotsworsenconflict,andeffortstodetectandrelievesuchcampaignsremainintheirearlyperiod.ButcanGenerativeAIalsonegotiateconfict?ChrisBail,aleadingexpertonartificialintelligenceandhumanbehavior,andhiscolleagueshaveconductedresearchindicatingthatLargeLanguageModelssuchasChatGPTcanmakeonlineconversationsmoreproductive,reduceincivility,andincreasewillingnesstohavedifficultconversationsacrosssocialdisagreements.What’smore,they’realreadyseeingpracticalapplications.Inspiredbysuchresearch,Nextdoor,acommunity-basedsocial-mediaplatformthathasstruggledtoboycottonlinepoison,recentlylaunchedasuccessful,large-scale(大規(guī)模的)efforttoreduceincivility.InastudyrecentlypublishedintheProceedingsoftheNationalAcademyofSciences,ChrisBailandhisteamexaminedwhetherLargeLanguageModelscanteachpeopleconflict-negotiationtechniquesonalargescale.Theyenlistedalargegroupofpeoplewithdifferentopinionsaboutguncontrolandpairedthemtodiscussthistopicwithsomeonewhodoesnotsharetheirviewonanonlinechatplatformtheteambuilt.Afterexchangingseveralmessagesontheirplatform,halfoftheresearchparticipantsbegantoreceivepop-upmessagessuggestingalternativephrasingsforthemessagestheywereabouttosendtotheirchatpartner.Thesepop-upsemployedGPT-3torephraseeachpostusingconflictnegotiationprinciples—withoutchangingtheopinionexpressedwithinthem.Participantshadtheoptiontosendtheserephrasedversionsoftheirmessageorignorethem.TheresearchersfoundthatGPT-3issurprisinglygoodatprocessingdifficultconversations.PeoplewhosepartnerusedtheAI-generatedre-phrasingsdescribedtheconversationsasmoreproductive,lessstressful,andexpressedgreaterwillingnesstoconsideralternativeviewpoints.32.Whatcanweinferfromthefirsttwoparagraphs?A.GenAIcanbeusedinwars.B.GenAIcanstoponlineincivility.C.GenAIcanbeusedtodealwithconflictonline.D.GenAIcanmakeconversationsmoredifficult.33.WhatdidChrisBail’steamaimtodoinarecentstudy?A.Tobuildtheironlinechatplatform.B.Toshareideasontheirownplatform.C.Tocollectdifferentideasaboutguncontrol.D.TotestthefunctionofLargeLanguageModels.34.HowdoesGPT-3helpprocessdifficultconversations?A.Byignoringrephrasedmessages.B.Bymakingchoicesfortheparticipants.C.Bychangingtheopinionsofparticipants.D.Byexpressingthemessagesinadifferentway.35.Whichofthefollowingisthebesttitleforthetext?A.PeopleShareIdeasonGunControlB.ANewStudyAboutPracticalApplicationsC.GenAICauseDisagreementAndArgumentOnlineD.GenAICouldMakeOnlineConversationsMoreCivil第二節(jié)（共5小題；每小題2.5分，滿分12.5分）閱讀下面短文，從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。HowtokeepyourheartyoungClearly,itisimportanttotakecontrolofyourhearthealthnomatteryourage.Regularexerciseandaproperdietcanhelpmakeyourhearthealthyandstrong.36.________Managestressandanxiety.Stressplaysarolein77percentofallhealthconcerns,includingdigestivetrouble,aninabilitytoloseweight,andheartdisease.37.________Trytakingadeepbreath,takingawalk,orsimplyspacingoutforafewminutes.Openthewindowsinyourhouse.Therearedozensofpossiblesources,includinghairspray,candles,orsmokefromawoodstoveorfireplace.38.________Butthechemicalmixturestheycreatewhenmixedtogethercancauseinfection,raisebloodpressure,andhardenarteries(動(dòng)脈).Openwindowsanduseafantocirculatetheairandreduceindoorpollutionlevels.39.________Asoundsleepisgoodforyourheart,butasyouage,yourbrainandneuronsbegintochangeandyour“sleeparchitecture”suffers.Shortersleepdurationandpoorerqualityofsleepseemtobeassociatedwithincreasedheartdiseases.Afewclassictipsforabetternight'ssleep:Avoidafternoonnapsandcaffeinewithinsixhoursofyourbedtime.Beactiveandbekind.40.________Meanwhile,astudyfoundthatthosewhospentmoneyonotherpeoplehadlowerbloodpressurethanthosewhospentmoneyonthemselves.Dosomethingphysicallyactiveonbehalfofsomeoneelse.Whileyou'reoutremovingsnow,clearyourneighbor'swalkwaytoo.A.Giveprioritytosleep.B.Stressreliefcancomeinmanyforms.C.However,wehavemorewaystokeepslim.D.Anyofthesemightbeharmlessinsmallamounts.E.Peoplewhoalwayssittendtodevelopsomeheartproblems.F.Butthesetipsfromheartspecialistsoffersurprisinglyhelpfuladditionstoyou.G.Trytoembracenaturetoenjoyandplayinsteadofstayingathomedoingnothing.第三部分語言運(yùn)用（共兩節(jié)，滿分30分）第一節(jié)（共15小題；每小題1分，滿分15分）閱讀下面短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。Themomenttheboysenteredthegymandsawtheclimbingwallstoweringoverthem,theygotexcited.ButSteviewasa(an)41,whowasstandingasidelookingathisthinarmssilently.Steviedidn’tlikeclimbing.Itwasn’this42.Gettingalongwithpeoplewasn’thisthing,ether.Hejustfeltnobodylikedor43himatschool.ThencameMr.Taylor,the44,whotaughttheboyssomebasicskillsand45thateveryonehaveaclimbingpartnerandshowedthemhowtoprotecttheirpartner.Themomenthefinished,theboyscouldn’twaitto46themselveswithapartnerexceptStevie.Noticinghis47,Mr.Taylorraisedhisvoiceandsaid,needsomeoneIcanreallytrusttoteamupwith!”Thenhiseyes48Stevie.“Me?”Steviewidenedhiseyes.“Iguess.”HearingMr.Taylor’swords,Steviemanageda49smile.Heworkedupthe50andclimbedupslowly.“Doneit!”Steviecalledfromthetopwithexcitementandlater51safeonthefloor.Nowit’sStevie’sturntocontroltherope.HecarefullywatchedasMr.Taylorclimbeduptothe52,andthenstartedtolethimdown,hisheartracingwildlyandhispalmssweatinguncontrollably.Finally,Mr.Taylordropped53downtothebottomandtheboysburstintowildapplause.Fromthatdayon,Stevieopenedhishearttothepeoplearoundhim.54forwhatMr.Taylorhaddone,Stevieknewdeepdowninhisheartthatitwashisteacher’strustthatallowedhimto55hisnewselfandothers.41.A.exceptionB.troubleC.exampleD.victim42.A.taskB.timeC.thingD.job43.A.respectedB.trustedC.supportedD.attracted44.A.doctorB.teacherC.coachD.climber45.A.orderedB.urgedC.advocatedD.required46.A.matchB.equipC.arrangeD.combine47.A.excitementB.embarrassmentC.fearD.tension48.A.fellonB.restedonC.watchedonD.reflectedon49.A.sadB.sweetC.wideD.weak50.A.decisionB.courageC.patienceD.hope51.A.stayedB.droppedC.landedD.lay52.A.wallB.roofC.floorD.top53.A.carefullyB.smoothlyC.painfullyD.excitedly54.A.SorrowfulB.ThoughtfulC.GratefulD.Fearful55.A.embraceB.knowC.meetD.greet非選擇題部分第二節(jié)（共10小題；每小題1.5分，滿分15分）閱讀下面短文，在空白處填入1個(gè)適當(dāng)?shù)膯卧~或括號(hào)內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。Horse-faceskirt,alsoknownas“horse-facedpleated(有褶的)skirt”,isoneofthemainskirt56.__________(style)ofancientChinesewomen.Itisnotonlyakindofclothing,butalsoatreasureofChineseculture.OriginatingintheSongDynasty(960-1279),thehorse-faceskirt57.__________(grow)popularduringtheMingDynasty(1368-1644)dueto58.__________(it)functionalityandaesthetic(美學(xué)的)style.DuringtheMingDynasty,deeplypleatedversionsoftheskirtwere59.__________(extreme)popular.AfterthedevelopmentoftheYuan,MingandQingdynasties,thehorse-faceskirthasgraduallybecome60.__________uniquedressstyle.Today,designersskillfullycombinetraditionalelementswithmoderndesign61.__________(create)anamazingfashionwork,whichmakesthehorse-faceskirtshinewithnewvitality.Wearingahorse-faceskirt,asifstepping62.__________thetimetunnelofthousandsofyears,wecanfeeltheancientandmysteriouscharm.Itcarriesthememoryofhistory63.__________conveysthefeelingsofthenation.Intheeyesofexpertsandfashionindustryinsiders,traditionalChineseclothing.64.__________(represent)bythehorse-faceskirt,isasignificantsymbolofChinesecivilization65.__________hasinfluencedwesternfashionformanyyears.Let’senjoythecharmofhorse-faceskirttogether,passontheeleganceofthetreasure,anddazzletheworld.第四部分寫作（共兩節(jié)，滿分40分）第一節(jié)（滿分15分）你校英文報(bào)正面向?qū)W生征集“傳播中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)文化”的活動(dòng)提案。請(qǐng)你寫一篇短文投稿，內(nèi)容包括：1.提議并介紹1-2個(gè)活動(dòng)；2.說明你的理由。注意：1.寫作詞數(shù)應(yīng)為80個(gè)左右；2.請(qǐng)按如下格式在答題紙的相應(yīng)位置作答。___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________第二節(jié)（滿分25分）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文?！癝aiBaba!SaiBaba!Hahahaha!”Rani’scheeksburnedwithshameandtearswelledupinhereyesasshepushedherwaytotheexitthroughthecrowdoflaughingboysinthepackedschoolbus.Itwasn’tthefirsttimeshe’dbeencalledSaiBaba,afterthefamousHinduholymanshe’dseenonTVwithhistrademarkafro(非洲式卷發(fā))toweringoverhishead.Butthistimewastheworst.Ranijumpedofftheschoolbusandlandedhardinthemuddyrainwater.IthadbeenaFridayfullofdisasters!AngrythoughtsraninsideRani’sheadasshemarchedhomeinthedrizzlingrain.Whydidtherainhavetocomepouringdownsohardjustattheendoftheschoolday?Whydidshehavetoforgetherraincoatbackhome?Whydidherhairhavetobelikeagiantcottoncandyballoonjustwhenshewantedittobehave?Why,why,why,Ranigrewangrierassheturnedthebackdoorkey.“Rani,isthatyou?”Papacalledfromthefamilyroom.“Ihatemyhair!”Ranicriedastearsofangerandshamestreameddownhercheeks.“Why,yourhair’sbeautiful!”“Thenwhydoeseveryonemakefunofitalthetime?Theboysteasedmeaboutmyhaironthebusridebackhome…”Shepausedandthentoreatherhairandpulledoutacoupleofpaperballsstuckinit.“Look,theyevenshotpaperballsatmyhair.”PapawentuptoRani,hugginghertightlyinhisarms.“Listen!Thoseboysarebullies.Theydidsoonlytogetanemotionalresponsefromyou.Whatyouneedtodoiseitherignorethemorspeakupforyourself.”Raninoddeduncertainly,rememberingthehours,daysandweeksshehadspenttryingtobringherhairundercontrol.“Papa?”shemurmured,“Idon’twanttoparticipateinthespeechcompetitiononMonday.”“Why?”Papasoundedpuzzled.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ThenextMondaymorningdawnedbrightanditwastimeforthecompetition.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________