省2027届高一第二次阶段考试
英语试卷
第一部分 听力 (共两节,满分30分)
第一节 (共5小题;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. What is the weather like now
A. Cloudy. B. Rainy. C. Sunny.
2. How does the man probably feel after the holiday
A. Tired. B. Relaxed. C. Upset.
3. How much will the man pay
A. $15. B. $20. C. $25.
4. What does the man probably do
A. A history teacher. B. A mailman. C. A doctor.
5. What is the girl’s favourite story about
A. A train B. A carpet. C. A boy.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
6. What is the relationship between the speakers
A. Co-workers B. Father and daughter. C. Doctor and patient
7. How does the woman feel about Daisy’s illness
A Shocked. B Worried. C. Angry.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
8. What is the woman going to do today
A. Write a report. B. Visit a customer C. Talk with Mr. Smith.
9. Where will the speakers meet
A. At a coffee shop. B. At the home office C. At an exhibition centre
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
10. Who is the woman probably
A. A boss B. A patient. C. A nurse.
11. What day is Dr. Milton’s day off
A. Wednesday. B. Thursday. C. Friday.
12. When is Mr. Store going to meet Dr. Melton
A. At 5: 30 p. m. B. At 6: 15p. m. C. At7 p. m.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
13. What does the woman do probably
A. A writer. B. A reporter. C. A director.
14. What does the woman think of The Napoleon’s Coach
A. Difficult. B. Inspiring. C. Popular.
15. Who is the leading character of the new novel
A. Ben. B. John. C. Jack
16. What does the man say about the new novel
A. It will hit the big screen.
B. It needs to be improved.
C. It will be hard for new readers.
听下面一段独白,回答以下小题。
17. What is the speakers mainly talking about
A . An English course B. An online video. C. A study on English.
18. Who will be interested in the introduction most probably
A. Language researchers. B. English learners. C. Video lovers.
19. Why do they offer this kind of service
A. To advertise their new product.
B. To study different English accents.
C. To help people improve their English.
20. How can people enjoy the service offered
A. They need visit a web page.
B. They should bu it online.
C. They have to ask a librarian.
第二部分:阅读理解 (共两节,满分50分)
第一节 (共15个小题;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和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。
A
GET A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD’S MOST ATTRACTIVE FEATHERED ANIMALS WITH THESE BOOKS.
Flamingo
Biologist and photographer Claudio Contreras Koob spent 20 years travelling deep into the wet lands and forests of his native Mexico — and beyond — to feed his flamingo attraction. This book offers a unique window into the behavior and life of red-feathered birds, with more than 120 show-stopping shots displaying their beauty. teNeues, 35.
Around the World in 80 Birds
Inspiring secrets, national pride or scientific discoveries, every bird has a story to tell, from the weaver bird building multi-nest “apartment blocks” in Namibia to the bar-headed goose taking on a twice-yearly trans- Himalayan journey at an extreme altitude. Mike Unwin’s tour is accompanied by beautiful illustrations from Ryuto Miyake. Laurence King Publishing, 22.
A World on the Wing
Pulitzer-shortlisted Weidensaul, who’s at the forefront of research into bird migration, here tracks some of nature’s most remarkable journeys. He sails through the stormy Bering Sea, encounters trappers in the Mediterranean and visits former headhunters in northeast India, where a bird migration crisis has become a conservation success story. Pan Macmillan, 9.99.
Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds
Explore this updated version of the 1968 title, Galapagos: Islands of Birds, by late bird expert Bryan Nelson, with previously unpublished material from his wife, June. The couple spent a year living on two Galapagos islands, studying birds, including the Galapagos albatross. This is their clever and amusing description. Bradt Guides, 11.99.
1. By whom is the second most expensive book illustrated
A Claudio Contreras Koob. B. Ryuto Miyake. C. Mike Unwin. D. Weidensaul.
2. Which book best suits those concerned about the survival of migratory birds
A. Flamingo. B. Around the World in 80 Birds.
C. A World on the Wing. D. Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds.
3. What feature may Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds have
A. Its moving plot. B. Its vivid imagination.
C. Its romantic style. D. Its humorous content.
B
Zhu Zhiwen, in his 30s,has been on the road, on his most recent bicycle trip since March.
Zhu started this adventure, an “Olympic trip”, from Beijing and had spent several months going across the country’s vast land, including Shijiazhuang of Hebei province and Urumqi of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
“My destination is Paris, France, before the Summer Olympics on July 26, 2024,” says Zhu, who was originally from a small village in East China’s Jiangxi province. “It’s my way of celebrating the Games.”
Over the past 11 years, Zhu has traveled through 45 countries and regions across four continents, covering a distance of over 90,000 kilometers. From Asia to Africa, from South America to North America, he has encountered many wonderful people and experiences, and witnessed various unique customs.
People’s good will has been a highlight of his trips. “I met a small hotel owner when I was cycling in Ecuador, South America, in 2016. After I knew the owner had been to China multiple times and was a fan of the Chinese culture and food, I took the initiative to cook him a Chinese dinner. He was very happy and, in return, offered me a night of accommodation for free,” Zhu says.
Yet, it hasn’t all been smooth riding. Zhu came across severe weather on his way to the Arctic in 2020.Moreover, he suffered robberies during his stay in South Africa and escaped attacks from bears and other wild animals in Canada.
After the Olympic tour, Zhu says he will continue to explore the world on his bicycle and fulfill his childhood dream of touring the whole world with his feet. Being an experienced traveler, Zhu has often been asked about his understanding of travel. “I think it is to accept what is possible during travel and get pleasure from it, no matter if it is good or bad,” Zhu says.
4. Why did Zhu Zhiwen start his recent bicycle trip
A. To bicycle across China’s vast land.
B. To visit his birthplace in Jiangxi province.
C. To reach his destination before July 26, 2024.
D. To celebrate the Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
5. What’s Zhu Zhiwen’s purpose in mentioning his trip in Ecuador
A. To express his gratitude to a hotel owner.
B. To present his skill in cooking Chinese dinner.
C. To show people’s kindness he experienced in his trips.
D. To introduce a devoted fan of Chinese culture and food.
6. What do we know about Zhu Zhiwen’s bicycle journey
A. It is a bitter-sweet riding for Zhu Zhiwen.
B. People’s good will fails to impress Zhu Zhiwen.
C. Zhu Zhiwen has traveled through all the countries in Asia.
D. Zhu Zhiwen gave up his trip in Canada for the attacks from wild animals.
7. What does travel mean to Zhu Zhiwen
A. Fulfilling his lifelong dream.
B. Exploring the entire world by bicycle.
C. Becoming an experienced adventurer.
D. Embracing all the experiences travel offers.
C
Since the last ice age, humans have cleared nearly half of the earth’s forests and grasslands for agriculture. With the world population expanding, there’s ever-increasing pressure on farmland to produce not only more food but also clean energy. In places such as Yakima County, Washington, it’s created competition for space as land-hungry solar panels (板) consume available fields. Last month, the state approved plans to cover 1,700 acres of agricultural land with solar panels, fueling concerns over the long-term impacts of losing cropland.
A recent study from the University of California, however, shows how farmers may soon harvest crops and energy together. One researcher, Majdi Abou Najm, explains that visible light spectrum (光谱) can be separated into blue and red light waves, and their photons (光子) have different properties. Blue ones have higher energy than red ones. While that gives blue light what is needed to generate power, it also results in higher temperatures. “From a plant angle, red photons are the efficient ones,” says Abou Najm. “They don’t make the plant feel hot.”
A goal of the study is to create a new generation of solar panels. He sees potential in the organic solar cells, which come from carbon-based materials. Thin and transparent, the cells are applied like a film onto various surfaces. This new technology could be used to develop special solar panels that block blue light to generate power, while passing the red light on to crops planted directly below. These panels could also provide shade for heat-sensitive fruits during the hottest part of the day.
By 2050, we’ll have two billion more people, and we’ll need more food and more energy. By maximizing the solar spectrum, “we’re making full use of an endlessly sustainable resource,” says Abou Najm. “If a technology kicks in that can develop these panels, then the sky is the limit on how efficient we can be.”
8. What problem does the first paragraph focus on
A. Losing cropland to solar panels.
B. Distribution of the world population.
C. Reduction in forests and grasslands.
D. Competing for land between farmers.
9. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to
A. Generation of solar power.
B. Hot weather increasing efficiency.
C. Blue photons having higher energy.
D. Separation of visible light spectrum.
10. What do we know about the organic solar cells
A. They make fruits heat-sensitive.
B. They can cool down in hot days,
C. They allow red light to pass through.
D. They can store carbon-based materials.
11. What does Abou Najm think of the future of the new solar panels
A. Limited. B. Promising.
C. Uncertain. D. Challenging.
China’s first group of e-sport major graduates emerged in the summer of 2021, with data showing that even though this major had been underestimated by the public, the future appeared promising as there were hundreds of thousands of related jobs available.
After the Ministry of Education decided that “electronic sport and management” should be listed in colleges’ major departments in September 2016, around 30 Chinese universities kicked off their e-sports major courses in the same year, to meet the needs of the rise of e-sport related industries in the Chinese market.
“The major is designed to meet the demand,”said Zheng Duo, co-founder of Tianjin Hero Sports Management and a visiting professor from the Communication University of China (CUC).
Chinese passion for e-sport is not in doubt, with more than 18,000 e-sport companies registered as of 2021, according to corporate database Qichacha. The number of e-sport users in China reached 500 million in 2021, and the market had a value of more than 145 billion yuan as of 2020, according to Chinese consulting group iResearch. Meanwhile, the industry chain is becoming more complete.
Jobs in areas such as supervision and content production require talent and training. The number of available jobs is estimated at 500,000, and could reach 3.5 million in the next five years, according to China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
Well-known universities such as CUC and the Shanghai Theatre Academy have responded to the country’s call and are preparing graduates for the e-port market. Yet not every major graduate is qualified for the positions available, as the jobs normally require practical experience, which is something a lot of graduates lack.
Industry insiders have indicated that e-sport is an industry with rapid iteration, and some companies prefer to hire people with experience instead of spending time training recruits.
Roughly half of the graduates will enter the gaming industry, said Xiao Pi, an -sport major graduate from CUC. “Some of the rest will pursue further studies for their master’s degree.”
“Even though e-sport majors have advantages in finding jobs, students need practical experience to better suit the different positions,”said Gu Liming, president of Perfect World Games.
12. What do the public think of the e-sport major according to data
A. It attracts many companies.
B. It deserves a promising future.
C. It doesn’t make much difference.
D It can replace many other majors.
13. Why did universities start to offer e-sport major courses in 2016
A. The Chinese had the potential for e-sport.
B. The Chinese had great passion for e-sport.
C. They wanted to respond to the country’s call.
D. Industries of e-sport were developing quickly.
14. Why are some major graduates disqualified for the positions available
A. They haven’t got a master’s degree.
B. They are short of practical experience.
C. They are unfamiliar with the e-sport market.
D. They have lost out in the fierce competition.
15. What is the passage mainly about
A. E-sport appears to be more of a blessing.
B. E-sport presents a new lifestyle for teenagers.
C The training for E-sport can’t be overestimated.
D. Changes in sports bring about job opportunities.
D
第二节 (共5个小题;每小题2.5分,满分12.5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。
Sometimes the toughest thing about feelings is sharing them with others. Sharing your feelings helps you whether your feelings are wonderful or terrible. Sharing also helps you to get closer to people you care about and who care about you. But how
You can’t tell your friends what's inside our backpack if you don't know what's in there yourself. ___16___.Before you can share them with anyone, you have to figure out what feelings you have. ___17___You can do this in your mind or by writing them out or even by drawing pictures. Is something bothering you Does it make you frustrated or terrified Do you feel this emotion only once in a while or most of the time
The way a person feels inside is important. If you keep feelings locked inside, it can even make you feel sick! ___18___ It doesn't mean your problems and woes magically disappear, but at least someone else knows what's bothering you and can help you find solutions.
Your mom and dad want to know if you have problems and what's happening in your life. But what if a kid doesn't want to talk with pparents Then find another adult you trust like a relative or a teacher at school. ___19___
Once you know who you can talk with, you'll want to pick a time and place to talk You can talk publicly in your family. But some kids are more private than others and they will feel shy about sharing their feelings. ___20___. A kid doesn't have to share every feeling he or she has.
A. Feelings are the same way.
B. Making a list of your feelings can help.
C. And there is always a person you can turn to.
D. Thinking about what you can do is of great importance.
E. Then find a quiet place or write it down on a piece of paper.
F. But if you talk with someone who cares for you, you will almost always start to feel better.
G. Maybe this person can help you talk with your parents about your problem or concern.
第三部分:语言运用 (共两节,满分30分)
第一节:完形填空 (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,并在答题卷上将该选项标号涂黑。
There comes a time for every family when the tables turn and the parent has to answer to the child. Mine came recently when my wife and I stayed with our son in Los Angeles. A whole week under his ___21___!
“Dad, don’t leave the ___22___ running when you brush your teeth,” Nathaniel ___23___ us off on our first night. All right, I figured, this is California where drought is a ___24___. But I also got caught for pulling extra paper towels to wipe the kitchen counter and was ___25___ to use the dishcloth, which didn’t seem sanitary (卫生的).
___26___ I wondered how I’d raised such a tyrant (暴君). Then I remembered how often I threw the golden rule of parenting at Nathaniel when he was young. “Someday, you’ll have a home of your own and can live ___27___ you want,” I’d say. Now it was ___28___ time.
So I ___29___ followed Nathaniel’s household orders, but with a touch of rebellion (叛逆), ____30____ sneaking (偷拿) a separate roll of paper towels into the storeroom, or moving one of his favorite photographs a few inches.
Our role reversal (反转) revealed another side to my boy, giving me hope for his future ____31____ ability. We were walking along El Matador Beach our last afternoon and hit an extended patch of rocks—____32____ the end of the line, I thought. Nathaniel wouldn’t hear of it and coaxed (诱哄) me across one large stone to the next, patiently telling me where to place my feet and hands. I was ____33____ but after a couple hundred yards we ____34____ it to a fresh sandy stretch.
“You did it! I’m really proud,” he said, as if I’d just learned to ride a bike. It was then that I knew for sure that the son also ____35____ fatherhood.
21. A. control B. guidance C. roof D. influence
22. A. kid B. pet C. show D. water
23. A. told B. let C. put D. saw
24. A. concern B. surprise C. failure D. scene
25. A. forced B. instructed C. allowed D. convinced
26. A. Once in a while B. At one time C. Over time D. At first
27. A. however B. whenever C. wherever D. whichever
28. A. reward B. award C. reaction D. payback
29. A. unwillingly B. smilingly C. seriously D. strictly
30. A. besides B. except C. like D. beyond
31. A. exploring B. surviving C. learning D. parenting
32. A. possibly B. clearly C. unfortunately D. unbelievably
33. A. cornered B. caught C. terrified D. identified
34. A. made B. got C. beat D. lost
35. A. contributes to B. rises to C. sticks to D. amounts to
第二节:语法填空 (共10小题;每小题1.5分,满分15分)
语法填空
Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts, and it is valued in both Eastern and Western cultures. One of the most famous sayings about friendship in China can ___36___ (find) in the words of Confucius: “Isn’t it ___37___ joy when friends visit from faraway places ” In the U.K., there is an ___38___ (equal) famous poem about friendship. It reminds people ___39___ (remember) and value old friendships, as they look to the years ahead. That poem is Auld Lang Syne.
“Auld Lang Syne” is Scots and is translated word for word as “old long since”, ___40___ (mean) “days gone by”. The poem was written by the great Scottish poet Robert Burns and was printed in1796. And over the years it ___41___ (become) the song that is so familiar to us today. ___42___ (attract) but at the same time a bit sad, Auld Lang Syne has featured in many films, including Waterloo Bridge, the very film ___43___ made the song widely known to Chinese audience.
Today, Auld Lang Syne has been translated into many different languages, and is one of the world’s best-loved songs, played ___44___ some special occasions and even at some shopping centers. It has become a symbol of friendship and shared experience — ____45____ we can sing it or not.
第五节:书面表达 (共1题,满分15分)
46. 假设你是李华,是一名高中生。最近,你的笔友艾米(Amy)给你寄来一封信,表达了她对自己健康状况的担忧,特别是由于体重增加而感到苦恼。她希望你能给她一些建议,帮助她改善健康状况。请根据下列要点给她写一封建议信。内容包括:
①表达对Amy的理解和关心;
②给出具体建议。
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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。
Sally’s birthday was approaching, and the excitement that usually filled her heart was now replaced with disappointment and stress. Turning eleven was a big deal, and she had always celebrated it with a grand party surrounded by her friends. However, this year was different. The burden of excessive homework and her parents’ struggling business weighed heavily on her, forcing Sally to make the difficult decision of not having a birthday party, even though it was an event she enjoyed dearly every year. One day, during the break, her best friend, Jane, with a curious look in her eyes, approached. “Are you going to have a birthday party this year ” Jane asked, sensing Sally’s sadness. “No,” Sally sighed and replied sadly, “there’s just too much going on and my parents are going through financial difficulties.”
She smiled weakly, trying to conceal (掩饰) her extreme disappointment and stress, but Jane saw through her pretence easily. Jane nodded thoughtfully and did not say anything. After the break, Sally saw her talking to one of their classmates, Sarah, secretively. Curious, Sally went over to them, but as soon as Jane saw her, she quickly walked away. Sally was scared by Jane’s strange actions and turned towards Sarah. “What did she say ” Sally asked. However, Sarah simply shrugged and walked away, leaving Sally standing there, feeling left out and anxious.
“What is happening ” Sally wondered anxiously. “Are they keeping something from me ” As Sally’s birthday drew nearer, Jane was often found chatting softly with their other classmates. Whenever Sally went over to them, they would just walk away or tell her that they were talking about a secret which Sally was not allowed to know. “Jane has never kept secrets from me before,” Sally thought. Her heart fell. Even her friends were distancing themselves from her! She swung between confusion and sadness with each passing moment, desperately trying to figure out what was happening. Why were her friends distancing themselves from her And what were they hiding
注意:
1. 续写词数应为150个左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
On the day of Sally’s birthday, she went to school and found her classroom in total darkness.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tears sprang from Sally’s eyes and her face broke into a radiant smile.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
省2027届高一第二次阶段考试
英语试卷
第一部分 听力 (共两节,满分30分)
第一节 (共5小题;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. What is the weather like now
A. Cloudy. B. Rainy. C. Sunny.
2. How does the man probably feel after the holiday
A. Tired. B. Relaxed. C. Upset.
3. How much will the man pay
A. $15. B. $20. C. $25.
4. What does the man probably do
A. A history teacher. B. A mailman. C. A doctor.
5. What is the girl’s favourite story about
A. A train B. A carpet. C. A boy.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
6. What is the relationship between the speakers
A. Co-workers B. Father and daughter. C. Doctor and patient
7. How does the woman feel about Daisy’s illness
A Shocked. B Worried. C. Angry.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
8. What is the woman going to do today
A. Write a report. B. Visit a customer C. Talk with Mr. Smith.
9. Where will the speakers meet
A. At a coffee shop. B. At the home office C. At an exhibition centre
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
10. Who is the woman probably
A. A boss B. A patient. C. A nurse.
11. What day is Dr. Milton’s day off
A. Wednesday. B. Thursday. C. Friday.
12. When is Mr. Store going to meet Dr. Melton
A. At 5: 30 p. m. B. At 6: 15p. m. C. At7 p. m.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
13 What does the woman do probably
A. A writer. B. A reporter. C. A director.
14. What does the woman think of The Napoleon’s Coach
A. Difficult. B. Inspiring. C. Popular.
15. Who is the leading character of the new novel
A. Ben. B. John. C. Jack
16. What does the man say about the new novel
A. It will hit the big screen.
B. It needs to be improved.
C. It will be hard for new readers.
听下面一段独白,回答以下小题。
17. What is the speakers mainly talking about
A . An English course B. An online video. C. A study on English.
18. Who will be interested in the introduction most probably
A. Language researchers. B. English learners. C. Video lovers.
19. Why do they offer this kind of service
A. To advertise their new product.
B. To study different English accents.
C. To help people improve their English.
20. How can people enjoy the service offered
A. They need visit a web page.
B They should bu it online.
C. They have to ask a librarian.
第二部分:阅读理解 (共两节,满分50分)
第一节 (共15个小题;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和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。
A
【1~3题答案】
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. D
B
【4~7题答案】
【答案】4. D 5. C 6. A 7. D
C
【8~11题答案】
【答案】8. A 9. C 10. C 11. B
【12~15题答案】
【答案】12. C 13. D 14. B 15. A
D
第二节 (共5个小题;每小题2.5分,满分12.5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。
【16~20题答案】
【答案】16. A 17. B 18. F 19. G 20. E
第三部分:语言运用 (共两节,满分30分)
第一节:完形填空 (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,并在答题卷上将该选项标号涂黑。
【21~35题答案】
【答案】21. C 22. D 23. A 24. A 25. B 26. D 27. A 28. D 29. B 30. C 31. D 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. B
第二节:语法填空 (共10小题;每小题1.5分,满分15分)
【36~45题答案】
【答案】36. be found
37. a 38. equally
39. to remember
40. meaning
41. became 42. Attractive
43. that 44. on
45. whether
第五节:书面表达 (共1题,满分15分)
【46题答案】
【答案】Dear Amy,
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re worried about your health and especially frustrated about your weight gain. I totally understand how you feel.
Here are some suggestions that might help you. Firstly, you should keep a balanced diet. Try to avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. Instead, include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals. Secondly, make sure to get enough exercise. You could go for a walk or a run every day. It would also be great if you could join a sports club or take up a favorite sport like swimming or dancing. Also, try to get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can affect your metabolism and lead to weight gain.
I believe if you follow these suggestions, you’ll gradually improve your health. Hope you’ll feel better soon!
Yours,
Li Hua
第二节 读后续写 (满分25分)
【47题答案】
【答案】On the day of Sally’s birthday, she went to school and found her classroom in total darkness. A wave of confusion washed over her as she stepped hesitantly into the room, her heart pounding. She reached for the light switch, but before her hand could find it, a chorus of voices broke the silence. “Surprise!”, her classmates, led by Jane, jumped out from all sorts of hiding places. As the room flooded with light, Sally’s eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. The classroom was decorated with balloons and streamers, a beautiful cake sat on the teacher’s desk, and in the corner, a pile of presents waited to be unwrapped.
Tears sprang from Sally’s eyes and her face broke into a radiant smile. She turned towards Jane, who was grinning from ear to ear. “We knew you couldn’t have a party this year, so we decided to bring the party to you,” Jane said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. The cloud of confusion lifted from Sally’s mind as she realized that her friends hadn’t been distancing themselves from her, they were planning this surprise all along. The sadness that had been looming over her birthday disappeared, replaced with joy and gratitude. As she cut the cake and opened her presents, Sally realized that this was indeed a grand birthday party, just like the ones she used to have.