四川省内江市威远中学校2023-2024学年高一上学期12月第二次月考英语试题（含答案 无听力音频 含听力原文）

威远中学校2023-2024学年高一上学期12月第二次月考
英 语
注意事项: 1. 本试卷分第I卷(选择题)和第II卷(非选择题)两部分;
2. 答题前, 考生务必将自己的姓名、准考证号填写在答题卡相应的位置;
3. 全部答案在答题卡上完成, 答在本试卷上无效。
第一部分听力(共两节, 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小题; 每小题1.5分, 满分1.5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. What will the man do at seven o’clock tomorrow evening
A. Phone the woman. B. Attend a meeting. C. Have supper.
2. How much should the man pay for a dozen red roses now
A. 15 dollars. B. 17 dollars. C. 20 dollars.
3. When did the woman want to be a writer
A. When she was a kid.
B. When she worked at a bookstore.
C. When she had some books published.
4. Where does the smell probably come from
A. The kitchen. B. The bedroom. C. The living room.
5. What is the possible relationship between the speakers
A. Father and daughter. B. Mother and son. C. Husband and wife.
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。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6、7小题。
6. What is the woman going to do on Saturday afternoon
A. Go to a festival. B. Take a part-time job. C. Meet her friends.
7. Where are the speakers probably
A. In a factory. B. In a company. C. In a supermarket.
听下面一段对话, 回答8至10小题。
8. Where does the man come from
A. Ohio. B. Birmingham. C. Los Angeles.
9. How long will the woman stay there
A. Two days. B. Three days. C. Two weeks.
10. What are the speakers probably doing
A. Waiting for their friends.
B. Visiting several places of interest.
C. Spending a holiday.
听下面一段对话, 回答11至14小题。
11. Who needs to be nursed in the man’s family
A. His wife. B. His mom. C. His kid.
12. Why is someone in her forties preferable
A. She likes taking care of old people.
B. She can live with the man’s mother.
C. She is more patient and experienced.
13. How much is a live-in nursing worker’s monthly salary at least
A. 3,400 dollars. B. 4,300 dollars. C. 5,000 dollars.
14. What will the man probably do next
A. Check the workers. B. Fill out a form. C. Meet a nursing worker.
听下面一段对话, 回答15至17小题。
15. What are the speakers mainly talking about
A. How to learn a language well.
B. When the course will be finished.
C. Which course they should take.
16. What might the woman do
A. Take an advanced class. B. Get a private tutor. C. Get a part-time job.
17. Who are the speakers probably
A. Foreign students in China.
B. Overseas Chinese students.
C. Experienced Chinese learners.
听下面一段独白, 回答18至20小题。
18. What did the woman’s father think of her plan
A. It was a fantastic idea.
B. It wasn’t suitable for her.
C. It wasn’t an interesting sport.
19. How did the woman feel before the marathon started
A. Confident. B. Nervous. C. Painful.
20. What do we know about the woman’s father
A. He offended her daughter a little.
B. He knew his daughter very much.
C. He promised to help his daughter train.
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。
A
It is very challenging when it comes to trying to master the English language. However, there are some things you can do to improve your English learning. The following books are an excellent way for people trying to learn English or get better at it.
Oxford Picture Dictionary
This is a great book for those who like to learn things visually. You can use the pictures to learn many new words each day. There is also a bilingual version for those who want to learn using their own native language.
Word Power Made Easy
This useful dictionary provides one of the best ways to learn over 1, 000 of the words which are most commonly used in English. The book has many interesting activities and games, and gives tips on avoiding spelling errors.
NTC Vocabulary Builders
Students who are more advanced in the English language will greatly like NTC Vocabulary Builders. If you want to build your English vocabulary, then this book is a good choice.
English Vocabulary in Use Series
This is one of the best-selling books by Cambridge University Press. The book is good for students of the English language of all levels who want to have a wider vocabulary. You can choose to learn British English or American English.
Improving your English is one of the best ways to make sure that you will do great in life. It can open many doors for you. For those who are not native English speakers, these books will come in handy. With hard work, anyone can be a master of the English language.
21. Which book provides ways to help you make fewer mistakes in spelling
A. Oxford Picture Dictionary B. Word Power Made Easy
C. NTC Vocabulary Builders D. English Vocabulary in Use Series
22. What is special about Oxford Picture Dictionary
A. It is designed for language beginners.
B. It offers advice on language learning.
C. It provides many pictures to help learn language.
D. It gives learners a lot of interesting daily tasks.
23. What do the four books have in common
A. They only provide English versions. B. They are all for beginners.
C. They help you to do great in life. D. They help to learn vocabulary.
B
I was 11 years old standing outside in just my underwear while I watched the house that I grew up in rapidly burn to the ground.
A few minutes earlier I had been in bed when a scream woke me up. My grandma’s bedroom was just next to mine and my brother’s. A fire had broken out there and awakened her. Hearing her, my brother jumped into action, running from room to room quickly waking everyone in the house. Before we could do anything the fire destroyed it. We all had just made it outside when the flames (火焰) took hold of every room.
I stood there shaking while the fire destroyed my books, clothes, and toys. I watched helplessly while my mom cried and my dad sighed. I wondered what was going to happen to us because we had lost all our things.
As I looked around, though, I realized something for the first time: The things that mattered were not things. I saw my brother running around to get help. I saw my grandma and dad wrapped in each other’s arms and my mom holding our little dog. I realized at that moment that we were all alive. Our lives would continue without the “stuff” that was burning. We would all live to love each other for many years to come. And that was all that mattered.
24. Who first found the house was on fire
A. The author. B. The brother. C. The grandma. D. The parents.
25. What was the author thinking about when seeing everything destroyed
A. He was wondering how the fire got started.
B. He was worried about their life after the fire.
C. He was mad about losing his clothes and toys.
D. He felt lucky that they were saved by the firefighters.
26. What does the author mainly want to tell readers in paragraph4
A. That their life and family matter most.
B. That his family was lucky enough to escape.
C. That family and pets both meant a lot to him.
D. That the things burned in the fire didn’t matter at all.
27. Which of the following quotes is the author most likely to agree with
A. “Keep calm and carry on.” — the Ministry of Information, UK
B. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
C. “You'll be alive. That's what matters. Enjoy what you have.” — Richelle Mead
D. “Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst.” — Marjorie Pay Hinckley
C
Reading can be a social activity. Think of the people who belong to book groups. They choose books to read and then meet to discuss them. Now, the website turns the page on the traditional idea of a book group.
Members go on the site and register (登记) the books they own and would like to share. BookCrossing provides an ID number to stick inside the book. Then the person leaves it in a public place, hoping that the book will have an adventure, traveling far and wide with each new reader who finds it.
Bruce Pederson, the managing director of BookCrossing, says, “The two things that change your life are the people you meet and books you read. BookCrossing combines both.”
Members leave books on park benches and buses, in train stations and coffee shops. Whoever finds their book will go to the site and record where they found it.
People who find a book can also leave a journal entry describing what they thought of it. E-mails are then sent to the BookCrossers to keep them updated about where their books have been found. Bruce Pederson says the idea is for people not to be selfish by keeping a book to gather dust on a shelf at home.
BookCrossing is part of a trend among people who want to get back to the “real” and not the virtual. The site now has more than one million members in more than 135 countries.
28. Why does the author mention book groups in the first paragraph
A. To explain what they are. B. To introduce BookCrossing.
C. To stress the importance of reading. D. To encourage readers to share their ideas.
29. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to
A. The book. B. An adventure. C. A public place. D. The ID number.
30. What will a BookCrosser do with a book after reading it
A. Meet other readers to discuss it. B. Keep it safe in his bookcase.
C. Pass it on to another reader. D. Mail it back to its owner.
31. What is the text mainly about
A. A new reading habit
B. A social activity of exchanging books
C. A new trend of on line reading
D. A website that connects people through books
D
The meaning of silence can be different among cultural groups. Silences may be thoughtful, or they may be empty when a person has nothing to say. A silence in a conversation may also show uneasiness or worry. Silence may be viewed by some cultural groups as extremely uncomfortable; therefore, attempts may be made to fill every gap with conversation. Persons in other cultural groups value silence and view it as necessary for understanding a person’s needs.
Many Native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and Thai persons do. Therefore, when a person from one of these cultures is speaking and suddenly stops, what maybe implied (暗示) is that the person wants the listener to consider what has been said before continuing. In these cultures, silence is a call for reflection.
Other cultures may use silence in other ways, particularly when dealing with conflicts among people or in relationships of people with different amounts of power. For example, Russian, French, and Spanish persons may use silence to show agreement between parties about the topic under discussion. However, Mexicans may use silence when instructions are given by a person in authority rather than be rude to that person by arguing with him or her. In still another use, persons in Asian cultures may view silence as a sign of respect, particularly to an elder or a person in authority.
Nurses and other care-givers need to understand the possible meanings of silence when they come across the personal anxiety their patients maybe experiencing. Nurses should recognize their own personal and cultural construction of silence so that a patient’s silence is not interrupted too early or allowed to go on unnecessarily. A nurse who understands the healing (治愈) value of silence can use this understanding to assist in the care of patients from their own and from other cultures.
32. What does the author say about silence in conversations
A. It implies anger. B. It promotes friendship.
C. It depends on culture. D. It is based on context.
33. Which of the following people might regard silence as a call for careful thought
A. The Chinese. B. The French. C. The Mexicans. D. The Russians.
34. What does the author advise nurses to do about silence
A. Let it continue as the patient wants. B. Break it while treating patients.
C. Evaluate (评估) its harm to patients. D. Make use of its healing effects.
35. What can be a suitable title for the text
A. Sound and Silence B. What It Means to Be Silent
C. Silence to Native Americans D. Speech Is Silver, Silence Is Gold
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。
Stepping out of your comfort zone (区域) helps you to improve yourself and become a happy and fun person. You’ll experience greater enjoyment as you try out new experiences.
36 .
Unplug (拔掉插头)
Take a break from today's interconnected world. 37 . You may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you will know that is just part of the process to let you know better about yourself.
Go to another country
You will experience new cultures, different customs, unique landscapes and another language from travel. 38 . Additionally, the excitement of exploring different scenery and experiencing different cultures are lifelong treasure.
39
Try diving, skydiving or a roller coaster ride. If those are too frightening, try giving a speech or taking a dance class. Once you overcome your inner fear, you will have a sense of satisfaction that comes from overcoming it.
Talk with someone new
This doesn’t have to be a complete stranger. Start a conversation with someone new at work, the barista (咖啡师) in your local coffee shop, a neighbor or someone in the queue. 40 . By focusing on other people rather than your own internal thoughts, you can improve your own mental health.
A. Do something that is fearful for you
B. Become uncomfortable with the Internet
C. You can end your conversation with your friends anytime
D. Leave your phone at home, turn off the TV and the Internet
E. Here are some ways that can probably lead you to a new life
F. See if you can continue the conversation for 30 seconds or longer
G. Besides, using cash from different countries is also good for your brain
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四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
There are always some persons in your life who touch your soft heart with kindness.
As a little girl, my favorite thing was 41 . And when I thought about 42 I wanted to be when I grew up, I figured I’d be a librarian, just because the two librarians changed my life.
At that time, the town library limited the number of books a person borrowed 43 two once a week. I 44 the books in just three days. So to read more, I was 45 about what books to choose. The librarian, Mrs. Tonne, was a warm person. Every time I went into the library, she greeted me, 46 . When learning about my trouble, she often 47 some better books. Thanks to her help, I 48 a lot from these books.
Gradually, I developed an interest in writing, 49 poems. When I was in fourth grade, our school librarian, Mrs. Ketelsen, encouraged me to write more. When my poem was not accepted, she 50 me with comfortable words. Once she helped 51 some poems I’d written about dinosaurs to Highlights magazine. It was my first published writing!
Later, at the University of Iowa, 52 I majored in journalism, my dream was different. I realized that I was shy about interviewing people, which made me 53 . When I recalled Mrs. Tonne and Mrs. Ketelsen, I made a decision without 54 to be devoted to writing. And now I am an editor at Reader’s Digest.
Whenever I think of the help from them, how 55 I am. It is their kindness that makes me what I am.
41. A. reading B. painting C. exploring D. creating
42. A. how B. why C. where D. what
43. A. of B. to C. from D. between
44. A. published B. edited C. presented D. finished
45. A. in the lead B. in panic C. at a loss D. on the rocks
46. A. shouting B. smiling C. crying D. dancing
47. A. exchanged B. recommend C. designed D. adapted
48. A. reflected B. devoted C. expected D. benefited
49. A. extremely B. fortunately C. especially D. slightly
50. A. inspired B. challenged C. contented D. tricked
51. A. admit B. send C. revise D. settle
52. A. although B. because C. when D. since
53. A. relaxed B. satisfied C. impressed D. upset
54. A. hesitation B. tension C. exception D. argument
55. A. concerned B. relieved C. grateful D. regretful
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。
Ancient China’s most famous travel writer and geographer, Xu Xiake contributes to Jiangyin’s popularity. As 56 hometown of Xu Xiake, Jiangyin has made itself a modern destination for travelers from home and abroad. But ancient adventurer, Xu Xiake, remains the main reason 57 people come there. So far, the Travel Diary of Xu Xiake 58 (read) widely.
Xu Xiake spent over three decades travelling throughout 16 provinces, 59 `
(describe) his explorations in detail. His diaries belong to the category of travel literature,
60 (know) not only for taking travel as its subject but also describing the author’s
61 (experience).
Xu Xiake was born to a wealthy father, who 62 (prefer) nature to power, and landscapes over official positions 63 particular. Xu Xiake took after his father. He enjoyed books on history, geography and adventure. 64 (obvious) he enjoyed reading about China’s mountains and rivers. The little child decided he would see the beautiful scenery 65 (he) and he finally made it when he grew up.
第四部分写作 (共两节, 满分40分)
第一节 (满分15分)
66. 假定你是李华, 正在为你的朋友Mark准备生日聚会。请你写一封邀请信, 邀请你们共同的朋友John参加聚会。内容要求如下:
1. 聚会的时间、地点;
2. 你为Mark准备的惊喜;
3. 提醒John准备一份生日礼物。
注意:
1. 词数80左右;
2. 可适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯。
第二节 (满分25分)
67. 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。
That night, I quarreled with my mother, then stormed out of the house. While on the road, I remembered that I did not have any money in my pocket, I did not even take my cell phone with me to make a call home.
At the same time, I went through a noodle shop, and I suddenly felt very hungry. I wished for a bowl of noodles, but I had no money!
The seller saw me standing before the counter and asked, “Hey little girl, you want to eat a bowl ”
“But … but I do not carry money …” I shyly replied.
“Okay, I’ll treat you.” the seller said, “come in, I will cook you a bowl.”
A few minutes later the owner brought me a steaming bowl of noodles. After eating some pieces, I cried.
“What is it ” He asked.
“Nothing. I am just touched by your kindness!” I said as I wiped my tears. “Even a stranger on the street gives me a bowl of noodles, and my mother, after a quarrel, chased me out of the house. She is cruel (残忍的)!!”
The seller sighed, “Girl, why did you think so Think again. I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you felt that way. Your mother has been taking care of you since you were little, why were you not grateful and why did you hurt your mom ”
I was really surprised after hearing that.
Why did I not think of that A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel grateful, and my mother has raised me since I was little and I have never felt so, not even a little.
注意: 1. 续写词数应为 150 左右;
2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
Just at that moment, many memories came back into my mind.
When arriving home, I saw my mother sitting at the dinner table, worried and tired.
威远中学校2023-2024学年高一上学期12月第二次月考
英语答案
听力理解
1—5 CBBAC 6—10 BABBC 11—15 BCABA 16—20 CABAB
阅读理解
21—25 BCDCB 26—30 ACBAC 31—35 DCADB 36—40 EDGAF
完形填空
41—55 ADBDC 46—50 BBDCA 51—55 BADAC
语法填空
56. the 57. why / that 58. has been read 59. describing 60. known
61. experiences 62. preferred 63. in 64. Obviously 65. himself
书面表达
66. Dear John,
To show our passions for Mark, I’m going to throw him a birthday party. Now I’m writing to invite you to join us at 6:00 p.m. this Sunday in my home.
There’re many activities designed for the party. Firstly, Mark’s favorite songs will be played to make a comforting atmosphere. After some exciting shows, we’re scheduled to dine together. And, the most inspiringly, we will present gifts to Mark with generosity at last.
Looking forward to your coming at the appointed time. Don’t forget to take your gift.
Yours,
Li Hua
67. Just at that moment, many memories came back into my mind. When I was ill she was always the one taking care of me. When I had trouble with my study, she never lost faith in me and encouraged me to keep going. When I arrived home during the weekend, she always prepared my favourite food. All her kindness came back to me. I should be grateful for all she had done for me. I realized that I should return home immediately and say sorry to my mother.
When arriving home, I saw my mother sitting at the dinner table, worried and tired. She must have been looking for me everywhere. I was ready for her anger and shouts. However, before I could apologize, my mother saw me and gently said: “Oh, honey, thank God, you’re back! Come inside.You are probably very hungry I cooked your favorite noodles, come and eat while they are still hot…” No longer able to control myself, I cried in her arms. “I’m sorry, mom, please forgive me.” I whispered to her through tears, extremely ashamed of myself.
【解析】
【导语】本文以人物为线索展开，讲述了作者因为和妈妈吵架跑了出去。之后她饿了，但是没带钱，幸运的是好心的店主给了她一碗面条，她因为感动而落泪。而店主知道后对她说，“你妈妈从小就照顾你，你为什么不感恩，为什么要伤害你妈妈？”店主的话让作者开始反思自己的故事。
【详解】1.段落续写：
①由第一段首句内容“就在那一刻，许多回忆涌上我的脑海。”可知，第一段可描写作者的回忆，回忆妈妈是如何照顾作者，支持作者的。
②由第二段首句内容“到家时，我看见妈妈坐在餐桌旁，又担心又累。”可知，第二段可描写作者回到家之后妈妈的反应，妈妈没有责怪她，反而在关心作者，作者也因为愧疚向妈妈道歉，希望能得到妈妈的原谅。
2.续写线索：开始回忆——回忆妈妈如何照顾自己——意识到错了，应立刻回家——回家后妈妈的反应——向妈妈道歉，希望得到原谅
3.词汇激活（一个词汇要写出相近的表达）
行为类
①照顾：take care of/look after/tend
②到家：arrive home/get home
③大叫：shout/yell
情绪类
①感谢：be grateful/showing one’s appreciation/show one’s gratitude
②生气：anger/angry
【点睛】[高分句型1] I should be grateful for all she had done for me.(省略that引导的定语从句)
[高分句型2] I realized that I should return home immediately and say sorry to my mother. (运用了that引导的宾语从句)
[高分句型3] I whispered to her through tears, extremely ashamed of myself. (运用了形容词作状语)
第一部分 听力
1—5 CBBAC 6—10 BABBC 11—15 BCABA 16—20 CABAB
听力原文
【1】W: I’ll call you up tomorrow evening to discuss the plan. Let’s make it seven o’clock.
M: I’m sorry, but I’ll attend a meeting at four o’clock. And we’ll be having dinner at that time.
【2】M: Oh, so many kinds of roses. How much are the red roses
W: We always sell them at 20 dollars a dozen, but now I can give you a 15 percent discount.
【3】M: Linda, what really made you want to become a writer
W: I always loved reading books when I was small. After graduating I got a job at a children’s bookstore. That was when I first started thinking about making books. Now I have several books published.
【4】M: Darling, I smell something burning.
W: Oh, dear. I forgot to turn off the gas.
M: We’re lucky that you didn’t set the whole house on fire.
W: I know! I was cooking when the telephone in the living room rang.
【5】M: Can you tell me what this word is
W: Let me take a look! These words are being printed smaller and smaller, aren’t they
M: Absolutely right. I can hardly get through this newspaper. Honey, where are my glasses
W: Our daughter put them in the study before she went to work
【6】M: Hi, Mary. Are you going to the culture festival on Saturday
W: No, I can’t. I have a part-time job in the afternoons. How about you
M: I can’t, either. I work part-time, too.
W: That sounds tiring. What do you usually do on Saturday nights
M: Uh, I usually meet my friends who work in a company. What about you
W: I’m usually pretty tired after working in this factory.
M: So what do you do after you finish work here
W: I just relax at home in the evening. I get up early on Sundays, do the cleaning and go to a supermarket.
【7】M: So many people. Is it so crowded here all the time
W: I’m not sure. Actually, this is my first time here.
M: Me, too. I think this is a great place for a holiday. Where are you from
W: Ohio. How about you
M: I’m from Birmingham, England.
W: How long will you stay here
M: For about two weeks. I have been to Los Angeles. I want to visit Houston, too. I’ll probably visit that city on Monday.
W: Ah, it looks like you are having a great time.
M: Yes, I am. How long will you stay here
W: I’ll stay here for 3 days. My kids have wanted to come to this city for a long time.
M: That’s great.
W: My friend is waiting for me. I hope you enjoy your stay in America.
【8】W: Good morning. What can I do for you
M: Well, I am looking for a nursing worker to take care of my mother. She needs long-time help.
W: Do you need a live-in or one that only comes during the day
M: One that lives in would be perfect. We have a place for her to stay. My job requires me to travel often and I work late as well. My wife is very busy, too.
W: Do you have any request for her age
M: Someone in her forties would be preferable. She is more patient and understanding with much experience in taking care of old people.
W: No problem. I have taken it all down.
M: How about the salary
W: The salary will be higher, at least 3,400 dollars a month. Someone might get 4,300 dollars a month. But they don’t get more than 5,000 dollars unless they have some medical skills.
M: That sounds reasonable. When do I see her
W: You will hear from me in a week. We will arrange that. Now please fill out this form.
【9】W: I’ve been meaning to ask you what you are going to do when our Chinese course is finished.
M: I don’t know. I think I might take a more advanced class.
W: Oh, is there a chance of you doing that
M: Maybe, but I’m not quite sure. If I don’t take a more advanced class, I may get a private tutor. What do you think I should do
W: Well, I don’t know. As for me, a part-time job will be beneficial to my Chinese study.
M: Practice in daily life can make the language more lively.
W: Yes, in that case, I can communicate with the local Chinese speakers to improve my Chinese.
M: That’s interesting. Will you really do that way
W: Yes, I feel it makes sense. I can have a chance to practice Chinese in the company where I work part-time.
M: I would like to join you, if it is convenient, please fill in the application form for me, too.
W: With pleasure.
【10】W: My senior year of college seemed a perfect time to run my first marathon. At the age of twenty-one, I had already completed a few half-marathons. I had the blind optimism of youth.
When I told my dad, a lifelong runner, of my plan, he replied that marathons aren’t for me. What a shame! I said to myself as I began training in July. I began to doubt myself only when I felt extremely tired during a particularly hilly twenty-two-mile training run in the hot weather. The marathon took place on a perfect November day. Though I started out promisingly and confidently, I couldn’t keep up with my running partners. Close to the twenty-mile mark I felt a sharp pain in my knee. My friend joined me for the last part, to offer encouragement.
I finished with a time just over five hours. At the finish line I walked slowly toward my father and fell into his hug, no longer offended by his statement. From then on, I realized that marathons are not for everyone.