河南省洛阳市2024-2025学年高一下学期7月期末质检英语试卷
学校:___________姓名:___________班级:___________考号:___________
一、听力选择题
1.What will Lucy do
A.Go to the gym. B.Work on her paper. C.Do exercise.
2.How is Harry going to travel
A.By car. B.By train. C.By plane.
3.Which city does Lisa pick to study in
A.Montreal. B.London. C.Beijing.
4.What’s wrong with John
A.He’s sleepy in class. B.He lost his job. C.He can’t get good grades.
5.What can we know about the man’s son
A.He is drawing a rocket. B.He took many pictures. C.He’s good at drawing.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
6.Who is Linda
A.Mr. Clark's secretary. B.Jack's assistant. C.Jack's personal doctor.
7.When will Jack and Mr. Clark meet
A.At 10 am next Thursday. B.At 10 am next Tuesday. C.At 10 am this Saturday.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
8.What camp is the woman asking about
A.A tennis camp. B.A running camp. C.A boxing camp.
9.How old is Jim
A.Five. B.Six. C.Ten.
10.What’s the woman going to do
A.Surf online. B.Work out. C.Make a call.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
11.Who’s the man most probably
A.A salesman. B.Cathy’s teacher. C.Cathy’s friend.
12.Where does the conversation take place
A.At the cinema. B.At the clothes store. C.In the hotel.
13.Why did the man mention the Australian woman
A.To recommend the new jeans.
B.To warn Cathy of the danger.
C.To tell a moving true story.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
14.Why did Jason fail to go to the music festival in 2021
A.Because of his new project.
B.Because of a car accident.
C.Because of a sudden flood.
15.When was the music festival in 2021 scheduled to begin
A.On August 12. B.On August 21. C.On August 22.
16.Who are greatly concerned
A.The organizers. B.The audience. C.The performers.
17.How does the woman feel about the global climate
A.Hopeful. B.Confident. C.Worried.
听下面一段独白,回答以下小题。
18.What was Leo's dream
A.A screenwriter. B.A film director. C.An actor.
19.What did Leo manage to do at the age of twelve
A.He completed a screenplay.
B.He was hired on a project.
C.He starred in The Princess.
20.Who was Mia
A.Leo's partner. B.The author's best friend. C.A famous writer.
二、阅读理解
Forfar Marine (海洋的) Science Program
Live in beachfront houses, study on the clear Caribbean waters, and earn your certifications during a marine science program through the nonprofit International Field Studies (IFS). Forfar Field Station, located on Andros, Bahamas, has been home to unique field study experiences for students since 1970 and IFS is happy to use the past 55 years of experience to support our program designed to give young adults a professional and academic experience of a lifetime. Students will join in lecture-based activities and journeys throughout the island as they explore the wonders of Andros.
Program Overview
Our program will allow students to conduct real-life marine-based field studies with an introduction to ecotourism and the Bahamian culture. We will also explore how climate change is specifically affecting the ecosystem on the island. Students will take classes from our qualified (合格的) staff of Environmental Educators and Certified Instructors while enjoying hands-on labs and exploring the ocean, blue holes, and unique island ecology of Andros. As a recent college graduate or post-high school student taking a gap year, this experience is sure to help you stand out as you start your career path.
Program Details
Ages: 18-24 years old
Length: about 6 weeks
·Fall Group: October 27th — December 5th, 2025
Application Deadline Extended: September, 27th
·Winter Group: January 17th — February 25th, 2026
Application Deadline Extended: October 31st
·Summer Group (shortened program): May 30th — July 1st, 2026
Application Deadline Extended: February 20th
Pricing:
·Fall/Winter Groups: $5,500
·Summer Group: $4,700
·Discounted rates for Bahamian residents available. Please note interest on your application.
Focus: Marine Science, Coastal Ecotourism. Island Ecology, Climate Change, Diving, and Sea Kayaking.
Certifications you’ll receive: PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver. (PADI is the world’s leading diver training organization.)
21.Whom is the program mainly designed for
A.High school and college students. B.High school and college graduates.
C.Teenagers under eighteen years old. D.Adults above twenty-four years old.
22.When may you submit an application if you are interested in Fall Group
A.On September 10th, 2025. B.On September 30th, 2025.
C.On October 1st, 2025. D.On October 10th, 2025.
23.How will the program benefit the participants
A.They will get a well-paid job after graduation. B.They may go on a free tour of the Bahamas.
C.They may become a member of staff at PADI. D.They will get two diving-related certificates.
“Bike buses” are taking over neighborhoods. Many families are giving up cars and starting a morning ride with friends, biking in organized groups led by grown-up volunteers. The effort is a call to fight against climate change, encourage exercise and reduce school drop-off traffic. And both parents and kids say it just makes the children happier.
Dad Devin Olson organized a bike bus for his local school zone. Olson says cycling creates connectivity between all walks of life. Six years ago, Olson partnered Minneapolis Public Schools to run a 2-mile bike bus that dropped off students at two elementary schools. So far, Olson has led 11 semi-annual bike buses that have grown from about 60 participants to nearly 150. “We meet at 8 a.m. to play soccer and eat donuts (甜甜圈),” said Olson. “Then we review safety measures and start our ride. It’s nothing but laughing and pure joy.”
The group makes about eight stops along the way to pick up children, many of whom are accompanied by parents. “We want kids to celebrate going to school,” explained Olson, adding that the kids who participate enjoy opportunities to communicate with students in different grades.
Luke Bormheimer co-runs SF Bike Bus, which organizes city-wide school routes, with the goal of inspiring people around the country to start bike buses. “Our first 3-mile ride included more than 100 kids, families, and adults in one trip to school,” said Bornheimer. According to him, a successful bike bus takes place on a “slow street”. The bike bus experience has comforted parents who were nervous about their children’s safety on the road. “Our hope is to create a bike bus for every school,” he said.
24.What are the advantages of “bike buses” according to paragraph 1
A.Saving transportation costs, improving road safety, and increasing car usage.
B.Reducing air pollution, promoting physical exercise, and easing school traffic.
C.Replacing public transportation, decreasing activities and creating job opportunities.
D.Improving family relationships, encouraging sports and speeding up school drop-off.
25.What can we infer from Devin Olson’s words and actions
A.He believes bike buses mainly benefit teenagers’ parents.
B.He thinks bike buses should only focus on transportation.
C.He plans to reduce the number of stops for the bike bus.
D.He aims to make the school trip more enjoyable for kids.
26.What’s a “slow street” most probably
A.It’s a road where traffic jams often take place.
B.It’s a road that is used only by public transports.
C.It’s a shared road for bicyclists and car drivers.
D.It’s a safe road for those lovers taking bus rides.
27.Why does Luke Bornheimer run SF Bike Bus
A.To ensure children’s safety on roads through “slow street” routes.
B.To organize school trips for over 100 kids and families in the city.
C.To encourage more cities to establish bike buses across the country.
D.To replace traditional school transportation with eco-friendly biking.
You’ve never seen a passenger pigeon (鸽子). But not too long ago, millions of them filled the skies. Suddenly, the bright noonday sky turns black, and the sound of millions of flapping (拍打) wings fills the air. The cloud of birds passes on, and on, and on, and you think it will never end. That’s what it was like when a group of passenger pigeons passed overhead. Yet now, they are extinct.
Passenger pigeons, which once lived in the woodlands of eastern North America, were the most common bird in the world. But in 1914, the last bird died in a Cincinnati zoo. Her body was stuffed and put on display, so visitors could see what she had looked like.
The billion-bird groups of passenger pigeons needed huge areas of wild forest to nest in, and to find nuts to eat. When European settlers arrived with guns, they couldn’t believe their luck. Pigeon was a popular food at that time. And here were whole forests full of dinner! Pigeon hunters destroyed the trees, shooting all the pigeons they could. Sometimes people shot passenger pigeons just for fun, to see who could get the most.
Like all pigeons, passenger pigeons were social birds. They liked to hang out together in trees and fly together in big groups. They were also friendly and not afraid of humans. Unfortunately, this made them easy to hunt.
The pigeons’ forest homes were disappearing, too. As more people moved west, they cut down trees for wood and to make room for farms. By the late 1800s, the birds were in trouble. Female passenger pigeons laid just one egg per year. So not enough babies were born to take the place of all the birds being killed.
Extinction is a part of the cycle of nature. When conditions change, species must adapt to survive. Some evolve (进化) into new species. Some that don’t adapt will die off. They go extinct. Species can go extent when some sudden disaster happens, like the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs.
28.Why did European settlers hunt passenger pigeons
A.For food and fun. B.For wood and food.
C.For sport and money. D.For farms and power.
29.What made passenger pigeons easy to hunt
A.Their flying way. B.Their large groups.
C.Their love for nuts. D.Their social nature.
30.What does the text mainly talk about
A.Where the passenger pigeon has gone. B.Why the passenger pigeon went extinct.
C.How humans conserve the passenger pigeon. D.What the life of the passenger pigeon is like.
31.What’s the structure of the text
A.Cause-effect. B.Definition-example.
C.Problem-solution. D.Comparison-contrast.
If you live in Singapore, you may have heard the adults in your family complaining about having to pay five cents for each disposable (一次性的) plastic shopping bag the supermarket. Why are supermarkets now charging for a plastic bag that used to be free
Every year, about six billion kilogrammes of rubbish ends up in the oceans. Most of this is plastic, and about sixty percent comes from the Asia-Pacific region. Some of the ocean plastics in Southeast Asia come from local consumers, but a lot of them are also exported into the region by some rich, developed countries, who do not wish to deal with their own rubbish, so they send it to developing countries with weaker regulations.
Most plastic waste cannot actually be recycled because it is too dirty or mixed with other materials. In Singapore, waste is burnt, which contributes to air pollution. In other countries, rubbish is done with in landfills, which can pollute surface and groundwater resources, or might be dumped (丢弃) illegally in rivers. Plastic waste is dangerous to marine life as it can cause animals to choke. It slowly breaks apart into little pieces called microplastics, but cannot break down completely. Microplastics are swallowed by the tiniest micro-organisms and even end up in our food and bodies.
However, it is not all doom and gloom. As mentioned at the beginning, charging consumers for plastic bags is an effective way to cut down on the amount of plastic that is thrown in rivers and the sea. Another way to stop plastic from entering the ocean is placing traps in rivers, such as the Interceptor, a rubbish collector, in Klang River, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this system, floating booms (水栅) channel rubbish into the collector that collects it, and this enables rubbish to be done with properly.
32.How much of the rubbish in the oceans each year is from the Asia-Pacific region
A.About 2 billion kilogrammes. B.About 3.6 billion kilogrammes.
C.About 16 billion kilogrammes. D.About 60 billion kilogrammes.
33.What may be written between paragraph 3 and paragraph 4
A.How plastic waste in the sea can be recycled.
B.How microplastics in the sea come into being.
C.How plastic in the sea affects animals and humans.
D.How we can prevent plastic from getting into the sea.
34.What does the underlined part “doom and gloom” in the last paragraph mean
A.Excitement and joy. B.Surprise and curiosity.
C.Success and achievement. D.Sadness and depression.
35.What’s the function of the booms
A.They direct and send rubbish towards the collector.
B.They break down the plastic waste into small pieces.
C.They move and catch plastic waste on the water surface.
D.They prevent plastic waste from flowing along the water.
If you’re a student, fan, or follower of Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, you also know that many of his success tips go far beyond investing (投资). 36 Here are four tips that really stand out.
Learn to say no. Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” From a self-help standpoint, if you think you’re taking on too much and you’ve been labeled a “workaholic”, 37 This piece of advice in practice may mean saying no many times to things that don’t serve you and saying yes to the few things that truly matter.
Face your fears. 38 In fact, he was once terribly afraid of public speaking. That lasted until he took Dale Carnegie’s course to improve this very important business skill. Since overcoming his fear of speaking, he’s become one of the most frequently quoted speakers in the world.
39 Buffett is a firm believer in the importance of slowing down and thinking in the long run. True success comes from focusing on those steady, small, and consistent day-to-day actions that pave the way for long-term results.
Surround yourself with people more successful than you. Buffett has always explained that success depends on surrounding yourself with the right people. He said, “Pick out partners whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift (自然进入) in that direction.” 40
A.Play the long game.
B.Believe you can succeed.
C.Buffett is no stranger to fear.
D.Buffett’s “no” advice should hit home.
E.They can help you live a more successful life.
F.Good partners will give you advice in the path of success.
G.This is a good life lesson about learning from successful people.
三、完形填空
I walked into the classroom, feeling nervous. It wasn’t the first time that I had taught my students about the human body. But today’s lecture was 41 . I started by showing them a patient who 42 from cancer. I described the treatment she had 43 before going into remission (缓解). Finally, I said “I am that 44 .”
When I started my teaching 45 , I never had dreamed of giving a lecture which was concerned with my personal 46 . But that all changed in the second year, when I was found to have cancer. But I 47 my work while receiving treatments, which meant that the signs of my chemotherapy (化疗), like hair loss, were clearly seen by my students. I 48 the care my students showed me-leaving cards and praying (祈祷) for my 49 . When my hair grew back, I hoped my experience would show them that the science they were learning had a connection with the real world. So I 50 my lecture about that patient.
For 5 years, I had been giving that lecture with the 51 news that I was in remission. Besides, I thought my work would 52 my stress of doctors’ visits, tests and scans.
Maybe I can’t become an excellent 53 and teacher in the future. However, my cancer helps me 54 with my students on a personal level, and show them why the science they are learning matters. I’m also 55 my personal story is one of the most important lessons I’ve ever taught.
41.A.unusual B.regular C.occasional D.depressing
42.A.differed B.learned C.suffered D.heard
43.A.died from B.gone through C.related to D.dreamed up
44.A.doctor B.student C.lecturer D.patient
45.A.method B.design C.plan D.career
46.A.emotion B.preference C.history D.introduction
47.A.retired from B.continued C.was devoted to D.found
48.A.appreciated B.respected C.recognized D.rejected
49.A.faith B.recovery C.cooperation D.return
50.A.developed B.applied C.attended D.delayed
51.A.normal B.worthwhile C.positive D.countless
52.A.add B.affect C.motivate D.relieve
53.A.professor B.politician C.researcher D.scientist
54.A.learn B.connect C.progress D.deal
55.A.enthusiastic B.concerned C.confident D.surprised
四、语法填空
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。
What was life like in ancient China If you’ve ever thought about this question, a studio called Shenlouzhi may give you some insights.
“Ancient life is like an illusion (幻想) for us, 56 appears to be amazing but is 57 (complete) out of reach, so we’ll never really know what things were really like back in those days. That’s how we came up with this name,” Wu Yicheng, 58 (found) of the studio, said.
59 (introduce) traditions and cultures from all over China, the studio usually creates short stories set in different dynasties and regions and turns them into videos. Amazingly, all stories are told in the dialect (方言) of their geographical origin, 60 (impress) audiences nationwide.
One story is told in the Suzhou dialect. It tells the tale 61 a Ming Dynasty cook who had the chance to listen to some Kunqu Opera after she had prepared a meal for a hungry opera performer. Gardens, food, and tradition... The video 62 (include) a large number of Suzhounese elements, reflecting the city’s exquisite (精致的) lifestyle in ancient China. Another one of its 63 (highlight) is the use of artificial intelligence.
“The experience made me reevaluate 64 relationship between dialects and 65 (advance) technologies,” Wu said.
五、书信写作
66.假定你班将举行英语辩论赛, 题目为“Online Friendship VS Real-Life Friendship, Which Is Better ”。请你作为辩论代表,写一篇发言稿,内容包括:
(1)你的观点;
(2)你的理由。
注意:
(1)写作词数应为80个左右;
(2)请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Online Friendship VS Real-Life Friendship, Which Is Better
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
六、书面表达
67.阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落的开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。
In a comfortable home, 17-year-old Eric’s life had taken an unexpected turn since he got a new smartphone last month. Once an active and sociable kid who loved sharing his day with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Eric was now spending hours glued to his phone screen.
At the dinner table, which used to be filled with lively conversations, there was now only the occasional sound of Eric tapping on his phone. Mrs. Brown would try to start a chat, asking about his school day or his plans for the weekend, but Eric would just give short, distracted answers without looking up. “Eric, did you hear me I asked how your math test went,” Mr. Brown said one evening, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Oh, it was fine, I guess,” Eric mumbled (嘟囔), his eyes still fixed on the screen.
As the days passed, the gap between Eric and his parents grew wider. His grades started to drop, and he no longer showed interest in his old hobbies like soccer or reading. One weekend, when his parents suggested a family hike, Eric refused, saying he was too busy. In reality, he just wanted to stay at home and play mobile games. This led to a big argument. “All you do is stare at that phone! You’re ignoring your family and your responsibilities,” Mr. Brown shouted, his face red with anger. “You don’t understand! My friends are on here, and it’s fun. You’re just being unfair,” Eric talked back, storming out of the room and slamming (砰地关上) the door behind him.
That night, as Eric lay in bed, he stole a look at the family photo on his bedside table. It was a picture of them on a happy vacation, all smiles and full of joy. Memories of the good times they shared flooded his mind. Meanwhile, in their bedroom, Mr. and Mrs. Brown were also reflecting on the situation, worried about their son and the state of their relationship.
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。
The next morning, Eric woke up with a heavy heart.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Moved by their son’s words, Mr. and Mrs. Brown’s anger disappeared.
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河南省洛阳市2024-2025学年高一下学期7月期末质检英语试卷参考答案
题号 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
答案 B A C A C A B B C C
题号 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
答案 C B B C C A C B B A
题号 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
答案 B A D B D C C A D B
题号 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
答案 A B C D A E D C A G
题号 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
答案 A C B D D C B A B A
题号 51 52 53 54 55
答案 C D D B C
1.B
【原文】M: Lucy, what about going to the new gym tonight I just got a membership card there.
W: Sorry, Mark. I have no time for exercise today. I have to work on my biology paper. It is due tomorrow.
2.A
【原文】W: Harry, I heard you’re going to take a trip next week. So how will you travel, by train or plane
M: Neither. I’m not going far. I’ll just rent a car and travel around Florida with my parents.
3.C
【原文】M: Lisa, if you could go to Beijing, London, or Montreal to study, which one would you pick
W: That’s easy. I have been looking forward to experiencing Chinese culture for years.
4.A
【原文】W: John, it seems that you cannot concentrate well in class these days.
M: Yes. I don’t get enough sleep these days. I’m working part-time at a convenience store now.
W: Well, if I were you, I wouldn’t take a job. I’ ll put my study first.
5.C
【原文】W: Look at the rocket. It is vivid and its color is wonderful. Who drew it
M: My son. He loves drawing and the picture won first prize in a school drawing competition last month.
6.A 7.B
【原文】M: Hello, may I speak to Mr. Clark
W: I'm sorry. Mr. Clark isn't in right now. This is Linda. Can I take a message
M: Hi, Linda. It's Jack. Please tell Mr. Clark that I won't be able to meet him as scheduled.I' ve come down with terrible flu and I' ve been away from my work for a couple of days.
W: I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you get better soon.
M: Thanks. Can you reschedule my meeting with Mr. Clark
W: OK, let me check his schedule. He' ll be available at 10 am next Tuesday. Is that OK for you
M: Great. I' ll meet him then. See you then.
W: See you.
8.B 9.C 10.C
【原文】W: David, do you know any camps that provide outdoor exercise I want to find one for Jim.
M: Yes. You can try Super Soccer Stars on 606 Columbus Ave. It’s for kids who like to run outside.
W: So can kids like Jim join
M: Yes. It accepts kids aged from 3 to 5. It also has programs for children aged from 6 to 12. Jim is 10, right
W: Right. He’ll celebrate his birthday in just one week.
M: Then he can join any of the programs for older children. You can get more information on its website or I can give you the contact number.
W: Well, let me write down the number. I’d like to call it later.
11.C 12.B 13.B
【原文】W: What do you think of the jeans displayed in the shop windows
M: They look nice, Cathy.
W: Let’s go in and check. I want to buy a pair. Look! Many people are wearing these jeans.They seem to be very popular this year.
M: I agree, but I don’t think you should get these jeans. I heard that wearing skinny jeans can damage your muscles and nerves.
W: Really
M: Yes. I read a news story on the Internet the other day. A 35-year-old woman from Australia had to be cut out of her skinny jeans after her lower legs ballooned.
W: What caused it
M: She was moving house that day. She wore those jeans all day and they damaged her muscles. The woman wasn’t able to walk by herself for four days.
W: That sounds horrible. I don’t want that to happen to me.
M: So do you still want the jeans
W: Absolutely not.
14.C 15.C 16.A 17.C
【原文】W: Jason, did you go to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2021
M: No. I had gotten the tickets, but a rainstorm flooded parts of Tennessee just before the start of the festival.
W: It must have been a big storm.
M: You' re right. The storm killed 20 people. Weather experts said 50 centimeters of rain fell onAugust 21, just one day before the scheduled festival.
W: So the festival was canceled that year, right
M: Right. The wet weather made it impossible for the expected 85,000 people to get to the festival's location, about 100 kilometers from Nashville, Tennessee.
W: So did you go to it the following year
M: No. I was busy with a new project in my department then.
W: I'm afraid the organizers are greatly concerned. There are more and more extreme weather events these days.
M: You' re right. I hope more measures will be taken to prevent climate change.
W: Me, too. If the global climate keeps worsening, there' ll be more and more problems.
18.B 19.B 20.A
【原文】M: Hello, everyone. Today I want to share something about my best friend, Leo. When he was little, he dreamed of becoming a film director. He spent lots of time watching movies. One of his favorite movies was about a fairy tale adventure. It centers on a young princess who travels from her castle to a fairy-tale kingdom to protect her people from the evils of another castle. Leo loved the story because it was funny. When he was in sixth grade, he decided to sign up for a two-year film course. Though he was just 12 then, he got hired on a project that would eventually become The Princess, which he would go on to write. That was when he met a girl named Mia.They decided to write the screenplay together. Three years later, they finished writing it. It was the first screenplay that he wrote. To their joy, it got picked up for a movie. Now Leo not only writes screenplays but also directs movies. I'm glad that he found something he loved doing when he was young. So I hope all of us can pursue what we love though it is a long and challenging process.
56.which 57.completely 58.founder 59.To introduce 60.impressing 61.of 62.includes 63.highlights 64.the 65.advanced
66.范文
Online Friendship VS Real-Life Friendship, Which Is Better
Ladies and gentlemen,
I firmly believe that real-life friendship is superior to online friendship.
My reasons are as follows. First, real-life interactions provide genuine emotional connection through face-to-face communication, body language, and shared experiences, which online chats often lack. Second, offline friends offer immediate and practical support during both joys and hardships, something online friends cannot always provide due to physical distance. Most importantly, building trust and understanding deepens naturally through consistent real-world contact over time.
Therefore, while online friendships have benefits, the depth, reliability, and richness of real-life friendship make it irreplaceably better.
67.范文
The next morning, Eric woke up with a heavy heart. He thought about how, lately, every meal had been spent with his eyes glued to the screen, responding to messages instead of asking about his parents’ day. The photo on the shelf — taken at the beach last summer, all three of them grinning with sand in their hair — seemed to mock him now. He’d brushed off their attempts to chat, snapped when they asked him to put the phone down, and missed the way their smiles faded each time. So he sincerely apologized to his parents.
Moved by their son’s words, Mr. and Mrs. Brown’s anger disappeared. Mrs. Brown reached across the table to squeeze his hand, her eyes softening. “We noticed you pulling away, but we didn’t know how to reach you,” she said. Mr. Brown nodded, adding, “Let’s start fresh.” That night, they pulled out board games, and Eric laughed as his dad cheated at chess and his mom told silly stories from her childhood. By bedtime, the tension was gone, replaced by a warmth he hadn’t felt in months.