浙江省衢州五校2025-2026学年高二上学期11月期中英语试题
一、听力选择题
1．What did the man fail to do
A．Attend the class on time. B．Complete his homework. C．Bring his homework to school.
2．In which room will the speakers watch a film
A．The study. B．The living room. C．The bedroom.
3． Why is the man trying to find Sherry
A．To invite her to a party. B．To return a phone to her. C．To meet her for lunch.
4．What does the man do
A．He is a zoo worker. B．He is a farm owner. C．He is a supermarket salesperson.
5．How does the woman sound
A．Patient. B．Confused. C．Angry.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
6．Where is the man from
A．The US. B．China. C．Italy.
7．What are the speakers mainly talking about
A．An old art form. B．A new Apple phone. C．A famous businessman.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
8．Where are the speakers
A．In a desert. B．In a town. C．On a beach.
9．What does the woman worry about
A．Deep sand. B．The weather. C．Sources of food.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
10．What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A．Brother and sister. B．Teacher and student. C．Friends.
11．How will the man improve himself
A．By eating healthier foods.
B．By being more thankful to others.
C．By improving his grades at school.
12．When does the conversation probably take place
A．In February. B．In November. C．In December.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
13．What is the man doing
A．Giving a science lesson.
B．Sharing a special experience.
C．Collecting opinions for a study.
14．What was the most unforgettable thing for the man
A．Doing scientific research.
B．Jumping three meters high.
C．Viewing the Earth from space.
15．How long did the man’s trip take
A．2 days. B．10 days. C．16 days.
16．What will the man probably do next
A．Answer some questions. B．Play a ball game. C．Tell a story.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
17．Who is Victoria
A．A business owner. B．A government leader. C．A firefighter.
18．What will Daniel Gold receive
A．A better job. B．An award. C．A free meal.
19．What does Daniel Gold usually do after lunch
A．Pick up rubbish in the park.
B．Take a walk on the beach.
C．Spend time with his family.
20．What is the speaker inspired to do
A．Be a kind person. B．Exercise regularly. C．Work harder.
二、阅读理解
NYU Virtual Art Program
The NYU Virtual Art Program is an online program for high school students interested in exploring fine arts. Students will work directly with art professionals and peers to enhance their technical and creative skills.Goals for Our Virtual Students
●Create a new body of work that students can use in potential college applications.
●Gain experience in tools and technologies used to create digital art, like video and digital image-making software.
●Learn about the NYU art department, its faculty, and its unique approach to contemporary art in a first-hand way.
Who Can Apply
High school students going into their Sophomore (10th), Junior (11th), or Senior (12th) year can apply. Non-native English speakers outside the U.S. must send scores from an English proficiency test. However, they may send a school report instead if they have studied in an English-speaking school for at least three years.How to Apply
Applicants must complete an online application and a collection of work (10-20 images). Work included does not have to be finished. All media are welcome.Program Costs
●Tuition: $3,000, including a $500 registration fee
●Materials Fees: No more than $50 per course
Courses
Every student takes 3 foundational courses and chooses 2 optional courses.
21．What is one of the goals for the students in this program
A．To teach courses in the NYU art department. B．To become experts in art software.
C．To create work for future college applications. D．To organize art exhibitions for profit.
22．What must all students provide to complete their application
A．A recommendation from a teacher. B．A collection of 10-20 finished artworks.
C．A report from an English-speaking school. D．A completed application on the website.
23．What is the highest program cost for a student
A．$3,250 B．$3,500 C．$3,750 D．$3,850
Poetry and music are sister arts. Both rely on sound and rhythm (韵律) to communicate their message. Both have the ability to calm, to disturb, to frighten, to anger, or to spread joy. Because of the closeness of this relationship, it’s easy to see why many poets use music as a theme for their writing.
Listen is a glorious celebration of the magic of music, enjoyed through the magic of poetry. It’s a list poem, with the title’s powerful moving into the nature of the sounds, and then encouraging readers to taste music and feel it through their body. It ends with a coming together of instruments through time and space, leading to a splendid description of music’s magic.
The poet Peter Sutton describes the writing process that produced Listen. When he was working on poems inspired by music and his own play, the title and first line of Listen introduced themselves as a thought stored in a computer file. It was while developing this train of thought that the four elements of the poem suggested themselves as Listen, Taste, Touch and Sound.
Peter recalls, “Originally, the poem was in open form, though already containing sound patterns, such as alliteration and internal rhymes. To create these, I made much use of a dictionary.” He adds, “I would not claim that to be hard work, but it was certainly time-consuming.” Finding the perfect word is not useful only for fitting into the rhythm. When a revised word shifts the poem’s direction, it can reveal something new not just for the reader but as a bonus for the poet. It’s no coincidence that the beautifully crafted result is a very special piece of writing.
24．Why do many poets choose music as a theme in their writing
A．Music and poetry both rely on visual elements to convey meaning.
B．Music can be used to express only anger or joy.
C．Poetry and music share common artistic bases and emotional purposes.
D．Poetry is unable to communicate emotions without music.
25．How does the poem Listen guide its readers to experience music
A．By explaining musical theories. B．By involving various senses.
C．By describing its magic directly. D．By comparing different instruments.
26．What inspired the four elements of the poem Listen
A．The success of the poet’s own play. B．The development of the poet’s thought.
C．The storage of the thought in a computer file. D．The advice from other famous writers.
27．What does the author of the text convey about finding the perfect word
A．It takes much time and effort. B．It relies heavily on dictionary use.
C．It seeks mainly to surprise its readers. D．It has value beyond fitting the rhythm.
Electric vehicles (EVs) can help cut fuel expenses and lower emissions compared to gasoline-powered cars. However, their success depends heavily on the availability of convenient charging options. For people living in apartments or dense urban neighborhoods, access to charging stations is often limited, which continues to slow wider EV adoption.
To help close this gap, researchers at Penn State designed a framework to develop and assess streetlight-based charging systems as a solution. The team set up 23 upgraded streetlights in Kansas City, Missouri, to test the concept. Their findings showed that streetlight chargers were not only more cost-efficient and time-efficient than traditional charging stations, but they also produced fewer environmental impacts.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the researchers partnered with organizations and companies to upgrade existing streetlights to function as EV chargers. They then established a framework — focused on demand, practicality and benefits — for other communities to use to develop streetlight EV charger s.
To determine demand, the researchers looked at factors including land use, station density, points of interest nearby, and traffic volume and then used the data to train artificial intelligence models to make demand predictions based on these factors.
Compared to traditional EV charging ports, the researchers found that streetlight charger s were much cheaper to set up, since the streetlights already existed. They also found that the streetlight chargers offered significantly faster charging speeds, likely because they draw power from dedicated electrical lines and face less competition from multiple vehicles charging at the same time. The streetlight charging stations also benefited the environment, since there were energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions by using locations where cars were already parking.
For next steps, the researchers said they would like to build on their models by adding more detailed socioeconomic data and weather information. It will help identify communities with limited EV access or adoption potential, ensuring a fairer setup of facilities. Weather data is also critical, as extreme temperatures can affect battery performance, travel frequency and overall energy demand.
28．What is the primary focus of the Penn State research project
A．The comparison of electric and gasoline vehicles.
B．The creation of a highly efficient EV charging network.
C．The development of energy-saving streetlights.
D．The application of AI in urban traffic management.
29．What did the researchers do to determine demand for streetlight chargers
A．They surveyed public charging habits. B．They developed a beneficial framework.
C．They trained AI models for predictions. D．They upgraded the existing streetlights.
30．What is an advantage of streetlight chargers over traditional ports
A．They win greater public favor. B．They require much less maintenance.
C．They charge significantly faster. D．They use more eco-friendly materials.
31．According to the text, what will the research team do next
A．Improve their models with more specific data.
B．Expand the system to rural areas nationwide.
C．Design new chargers for extreme weather.
D．Lower the production costs for electric vehicles.
A groundbreaking study recently published in Nature Aging has shed new light on the relationship between inflammation (炎症) and aging, suggesting that inflammation commonly related to aging, known as “inflammaging”, may not be a universal phenomenon.
Historically, scientists have viewed inflammaging as a primary driver of age-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. This condition is characterized by the immune system’s chronic (慢性的) state of overactivity, which can lead to organ damage and various health problems. However, the findings from the new study challenge the assumption that this biological process occurs similarly across different populations.
The study involved analyzing blood samples from over 2,800 individuals to assess levels of inflammation-causing substances. The researchers identified the same pattern of increasing inflammatory markers in the Italian and Singaporean participants, linked to a higher rate of chronic diseases. In contrast, the native Tsimane people of the Bolivian Amazon and the Orang Asli from Malaysia showed no such pattern. Despite high inflammatory markers, the Tsimane experience significantly lower rates of chronic illnesses common in industrialized nations.
These results raise critical questions about the nature of inflammaging. One potential explanation is that the phenomenon may be a byproduct of sedentary lifestyles and high-calorie diets popular in modern societies. In contrast, traditional lifestyles characterized by higher physical activity and diverse diets might lead to a different immune response where inflammation serves a protective role, rather than an unhealthy one.
The implications of this study are profound. What is beneficial for individuals in urban settings may not necessarily hold true for those following traditional lifestyles. Moreover, the research highlights a significant gap in our understanding of human health, emphasizing the need for more inclusive studies that encompass diverse populations and environments.
The study serves as a critical reminder that our perceptions of aging are shaped by our environments and lifestyles. What has been perceived as a universal truth in the biology of aging may, in fact, reflect local adaptations influenced by cultural practices and health behaviors.
32．What is the finding of the study published in Nature Aging
A．Evidence denies that inflammatory is universal.
B．Analysis confirms that inflammatory drives age-related diseases.
C．Results suggest that inflammatory benefits the elderly.
D．Data indicate that inflammatory weakens with age universally.
33．What did the study reveal about the Tsimane people
A．Effective local medicines for age-related illnesses.
B．Sharp decrease in inflammation with age.
C．Unique genetic protection against chronic diseases.
D．High inflammation yet low chronic disease rates.
34．What does the underlined word “sedentary” probably mean in paragraph 4
A．Socially isolated. B．Physically inactive.
C．Nutritionally poor. D．Chronically stressful.
35．What is the main idea of the text
A．Urban lifestyles offer the defense against chronic diseases.
B．Genetic factors play a role in human health outcomes.
C．Universal drug treatments represent the future for elderly care.
D．Specific contexts shape aging processes across populations.
Many people have fallen into the habit of neglecting to express gratitude to others and failing to take moments to appreciate the invisible yet wonderful aspects of life. 36 However, there are several effective tips to help cultivate a habit of gratitude.
Practice mindfulness. It is highly beneficial for expressing gratitude, as it enables individuals to fully engage with and appreciate the present moment, according to Michelle Maidenberg, a therapist in private practice in Harrison, New York, who also teaches a graduate course in Mindfulness Practice at New York University. 37
Keep a gratitude journal. 38 The idea is that you’ll get in the habit of noticing those things you appreciate more regularly throughout the day and more frequently.
39 Notice the things that are around you that are important to you or meet your values. For example, if you love nature, take a minute to enjoy when the sun is out.
Give back. Practicing gratitude can also be giving back through charity work and service for others. Gratitude isn’t just about speaking, it’s in the doing. One example is to look for the good that can come out of a crisis, such as collecting supplies for people affected by a hurricane.
Reframe. Reframing your mindset is a powerful way to bring more gratitude into your life. 40 For example, instead of saying or thinking “I have to go to work today,” reframe it as “I get to go to work today and use my skills and talents.”
A．So practicing mindfulness can help.
B．Write a thank-you note to someone every week.
C．Take the time to appreciate what you truly enjoy.
D．Toward the end of the day write down your daily gratitude.
E．And you do this by changing the way you speak or the way you think.
F．Avoid discussing negative experiences to focus only on positive things.
G．This lack of appreciation harms relationships and blocks life’s small pleasures.
三、完形填空
In the state of Kerala, India, an extraordinary story has emerged. A 104-year-old woman, Kuttiyamma, has achieved an 41 feat — she passed the Kerala State Literacy Test. What makes this even more surprising is that she only began learning to read and write last year.
42 just a single year of tuition and being much older than the average student, Kuttiyamma 43 her tests, scoring an impressive 89 percent. Her achievement was so inspiring that Kerala’s education minister publicly 44 her on social media, sharing a photo of the smiling student. Another official also took to the platform, recognizing Kuttiyamma’s 45 and predicting that her story would surely serve as a(n) 46 to others.
Kerala is well-known for 47 great importance to education and having India’s highest literacy rate at 96.2 percent. The state has heavily 48 education, especially adult education, which is exactly what Kuttiyamma 49 . Her efforts clearly show that age is just a 50 . When one puts his heart into something, anything is possible.
Kuttiyamma never had a 51 education as she didn’t go to school. Yet, her state-assigned tutor 52 her as “a very sharp woman”. A state official even called her a role model and a source of motivation for all women in 53 education.
Now, Kuttiyamma has set new 54 . She wants to start writing letters and continue her studies to further improve her skills. Her story is a powerful 55 that learning knows no age limits and can bring about incredible changes.
41．A．alarming B．embarrassing C．encouraging D．amazing
42．A．Because of B．In spite of C．Thanks to D．Instead of
43．A．went through B．broke through C．got through D．lived through
44．A．persuaded B．ignored C．praised D．criticized
45．A．movement B．commitment C．agreement D．enjoyment
46．A．inspiration B．determination C．imagination D．destination
47．A．paying B．offering C．contributing D．attaching
48．A．financed B．doubted C．opposed D．observed
49．A．ran out of B．made use of C．took advantage of D．thought highly of
50．A．barrier B．number C．limitation D．factor
51．A．special B．remote C．precious D．formal
52．A．compared B．described C．appointed D．treated
53．A．preschool B．primary C．secondary D．adult
54．A．goals B．records C．dreams D．efforts
55．A．threat B．lesson C．reminder D．warning
四、语法填空
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
A conference, “The Three-Body Problem’s Overseas 10-Year Impact”, was recently held in Zhengzhou in Henan province, on Aug 22. Author Liu Cixin, along with over 400 publishing experts, scholars and readers from around the globe, gathered to reflect 56 the novel’s decade-long journey and discuss the future of Chinese science fiction on the 57 (globe) stage.
Since the English version was first released in 2014, the 2015 Hugo Award-winner 58 (publish) in 42 languages, with foreign-language sales 59 (reach) 6.5 million copies. It has become one of contemporary China’s most translated and highest-selling literary 60 (work) overseas.
Liu noted that the success of The Three-Body Problem comes from science fiction’s narrative power to portray a “shared human identity” and the “sense of futurism” 61 (bring) by China’s modernization. The 62 (combine) of a historic driving force and a strong literary influence has jointly created this world-class cultural marvel.
The conference 63 (conclude) with a sense of optimism, signaling a new chapter for Chinese science fiction’s global expansion, evolving from simply “going out” to establishing deep cultural connections 64 influencing the international literary landscape. Organizers expressed the belief 65 moving forward, Chinese science fiction will continue to explore universal themes through its unique cultural perspective.
五、书信写作
66．假定你是高中学生李华，你校英语社团将举办一场题为“AI in Our Studies: Friend or Enemy ”的专题讨论会。请你准备一份发言稿，分享你的观点，内容包括：
1. AI在学生生活中的普及现象；
2.你如何看待AI与学习的关系并陈述理由；
3.发出倡议。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
AI in Our Studies: Friend or Enemy
Dear fellow students,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you.
六、书面表达
67．阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
“Ow! Owl” I shouted as I broke my jump rope rhythm and twisted my feet in the rope. “Something in my shoe is biting me.” I burst into tears. The first graders waiting to jump and the two rope turners circled around me on the dirt playground. My teacher, Miss Bell, heard me and hurried over, leaving the other teachers on rest in mid-conversation.
“It’s still stinging me.” I cried as the circle of children opened for Miss Bell. When she asked which foot it was, I stuck up my right foot as she bent down to inspect it, only to scream again from a new sting. “Here. Let’s take off your shoe,” she instructed. But then, I remembered the holes in my welfare socks, a common and shameful thing for our family in the years following the Great Depression. I began to cry from the pain, but I refused to let her take off my shoe. I could not bear for her and the others to see the hole in my faded red sock.
Then I was taken inside to the principal, Mr. Stewart’s office. He lifted me onto his desk and was about to take the shoe off when I saw the hole. I grabbed the shoe back on, the stinging worsening with my panic. “Why won’t you let us take off your shoe ” he asked, utterly puzzled.
Just then, Miss Womble, the fifth-grade teacher and my kind neighbor, entered. Seeing my distress, she placed her hands on my shaking shoulders and looked into my red eyes. “Oh, yes,” she said, as if recalling a fact, “I had a bite from one of those ants. Did you know they are sock eaters By the time I got my shoe off, that ant had eaten almost the entire bottom off my sock.” She nodded seriously at the other two adults. “Must be sock-eater ants.”
Her wonderful, terrible lie saved my pride. My grip loosened.
Paragraph 1:
“Let me see here.” Miss Womble freed my heel from the shoe.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
“It’s class time.” Mr Stewart remarked, as he and Miss Bell hurried to their class.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1．C
【原文】M: Sorry, Ms. Wilkins, I forgot my homework at home. May I give you my paper later today
W: Please, get it now. All students must hand in their homework on time.
2．B
【原文】W: John, could you help me clean the study I’m a little tired.
M: All right, you just go rest in the bedroom for a while, honey.
W: You’re so sweet. After you’re done, let’s watch a movie in the living room.
M: OK.
3．A
【原文】M: Have you seen Sherry I’ve been trying to find her.
W: I haven’t seen her. She must be out at lunch. Do I need to phone her now
M: No. If you meet her, tell her that she is invited to my birthday party.
4．B
【原文】M: These are our cows. The milk they produce is the best in this area.
W: Cows, pigs, chickens, you have many animals.
M: These animals are what I have to earn my living. Follow me, I’ll show you the cheese we make.
5．A
【原文】W: Don’t judge others easily, sweetheart. Also, always tell others something positive and how they could improve.
M: So, I should only say nice things to my friends
W: Not exactly, dear. Be honest with them and give helpful comments.
6．C 7．A
【原文】W: This handwriting was written by Yan Zhenqing, the great artist of the Tang Dynasty of ancient China.
M: That’s amazing.
W: Yeah. I grew up learning this art at school when I was a child.
M: I’ve never seen this before. But, of course, this wasn’t taught at my schools back home in Italy.
W: You know, Steve Jobs, the American creator of Apple, studied this when he was in college. He said this ancient art form inspired Apple’s design to some degree.
8．A 9．B
【原文】M: The sand here is too deep for the trucks.
W: The Sahara is the biggest and driest desert in the world. How will we make it to the next town
M: Let’s not worry about that for now. It looks like the next town is just 500 kilometers from here. We have enough food to last us for several days, and we can sleep under the stars at night.
W: All right, Dennis — if you think it’s safe.
M: I think we have no choice. But with teamwork, we’ll make it.
W: You’re right. But what about the temperature changes This area can be 40 degrees at noon but five degrees at night.
10．A 11．B 12．C
【原文】W: I determine to exercise and eat healthier foods for the next year. What’s your New Year plan
M: A New Year plan — like a promise to myself
W: An improvement you want to make in honor of the New Year. For example, Dad is giving up smoking, and Mom is exercising with me
M: Well, I don’t know. I don’t drink or eat unhealthy things, and I exercise five times per week.
W: What about at school Could you study more, or maybe improve your grades
M: My school grades are excellent at the moment.
W: No one is perfect, George. Even if you’re doing quite well, there’s always room for progress
M: I know — I’m going to express my thanks to others more. I just got wonderful Christmas presents and spent quality time with our family and my best friends last Sunday. So, I should feel as thankful as possible.
W: Now, that’s the spirit of the holidays.
13．B 14．C 15．C 16．A
【原文】W: We are so pleased to have you on campus, sir. My fellow classmates and I can’t wait to hear about your trip to the moon.
M: Sure, and thank you for leading this question-and-answer period. So, the moon’s gravity (重力) is only 16% of the gravity we experience on the Earth. If you weigh 60 kilograms here, you’ll only weigh about 10 kilograms on the moon.
W: Unbelievable! How did walking around there feel
M: It felt more like jumping. If you can jump about half a meter high here, you could jump three meters on the moon.
W: Was that the most unforgettable part of your trip
M: Well, nothing can compare with seeing the Earth from 400,000 kilometers away. It’s amazing to see everything you know on a tiny blue ball from space.
W: That’ll make the trip worth it.
M: Yes. It took 16 days in total — with two days spent on the moon.
W: Thank you for sharing your story with us. Now, let’s take some questions from the crowd.
17．B 18．B 19．C 20．A
【原文】
W: Hi, everyone. I’m Victoria, president of the town government, and a proud member of this community. I’m so honored to announce our next award winner. But before that, I want to say congratulations to the firefighters who have just received their medals. Now is our award for our town’s most giving person. Most mornings, you can find Daniel Gold walking along the beach while picking up rubbish. After that, Mr. Gold opens his cafe for customers while giving away free meals to those in need. After lunch, you can find Mr. Gold spending time with his grandchildren in the park. But above all the charity work Mr. Gold has done, he has inspired us all to be kinder and more generous. And he’s still inspiring us at 80 years old! I could go on for hours, but our award dinner will end in around 45 minutes. So, without further comment, here’s Daniel Gold, the winner of our Person of the Year honor.
21．C 22．D 23．A
24．C 25．B 26．B 27．D
28．B 29．C 30．C 31．A
32．A 33．D 34．B 35．D
36．G 37．A 38．D 39．C 40．E
41．D 42．B 43．C 44．C 45．B 46．A 47．D 48．A 49．C 50．B 51．D 52．B 53．D 54．A 55．C
56．on 57．global 58．has been published 59．reaching 60．works 61．brought 62．combination 63．concluded 64．and 65．that
66．范文一：
AI in Our Studies: Friend or Enemy
Dear fellow students,
I’m Li Hua, and I’m delighted to share my perspective on the topic “AI in Our Studies: Friend or enemy ”
The prevalence of AI tools like learning assistants and ChatGPT in our daily life is undeniable. They offer instant answers, help organize ideas, and even provide writing templates. However, I view AI as a double-edged sword that demands a cautious approach.
While AI can be a fantastic helper, over-reliance on it may weaken our critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The convenience of ready-made answers could discourage deep, independent thinking, which is fundamental to true learning. Therefore, I believe we should utilize AI as an assistant to enhance efficiency, while always maintaining our active engagement in the learning process. By doing so, we can harness its power without losing the essence of education.
Thank you.
67．续写范文一
Paragraph 1:
“Let me see here.” Miss Womble freed my heel from the shoes. Just as she had thought, the ant had eaten part of my sock: the faded red sock with its shameful hole was exposed, but her body sheltered me from others. She gently slipped off the worn-out shoe and sock, shaking out two red ants. Miss Bell handed her the cotton ball soaked in cool, stinging alcohol. Stroking the alcohol ball across the angry bites, Miss Womble lifted her head and smiled at me. “I think she’s going to be okay now,” she said, as she glanced toward the two adults. The sharp pain was washed away by a wave of immense relief. My tense shoulders finally relaxed. Her wonderful, terrible lie had not just saved my pride, but had built a small, safe shelter for my wounded heart.
Paragraph 2:
“It’s class time.” Mr. Stewart remarked, as he and Miss Bell hurried to their class. “You were a pretty brave girl to take that many bites.” Miss Womble helped me down from the desk, my bare foot still tingling from the treatment. “Wait for me after school, and we’ll walk home together.” she whispered. I was grateful that Miss Womble had saved my pride with her sock-eating ant story. That day, I learned a lesson deeper than any from a textbook: that true compassion is a gentle act of seeing a wound and choosing to cover it with grace, allowing dignity to remain whole. Miss Womble had treated not just my physical stings, but had mended my fragile dignity with the golden thread of compassion, weaving a lesson of kindness that I have tried to pass on.
续写范文二
Paragraph 1:
“Let me see here.” Miss Womble freed my heel from the shoes. She gently slipped off the worn-out sneaker and shook it over the trash bucket. Out tumbled two red ants, scurrying for escape before Mr. Stewart’s swift shoe ended their mischief. Miss Bell, meanwhile, had already prepared a cotton ball soaked in cool, soothing alcohol. As Miss Womble dabbed the stinging welts on my foot, she whispered, “Those pesky sock-eater ants are quite the troublemakers, aren’t they ” Her eyes met mine with a knowing kindness. I bit my lip, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. The sharp pain began to fade, replaced by the gentle touch of care and a newfound sense of dignity.
Paragraph 2:
“It’s class time.” Mr. Stewart remarked, as he and Miss Bell hurried to their class. Miss Womble helped me down from the desk, my bare foot still tingling from the treatment. “Wait for me after school,” she said softly, “we’ll walk home together.” When the final bell rang, I stood by the gate, shoe in hand, my heart light despite the throbbing bites. As we walked, she didn’t mention the holes or the ants again. Instead, she talked about the wildflowers along the path and how even the toughest weeds could bloom with a bit of sun. That day, I learned that true compassion isn’t about exposing someone’s lack— it’s about gently covering it with grace.
