大名县第一中学2025-2026学年高二上学期12月月考英语试题
一、听力选择题
1．What happened to Molly
A．She fell ill. B．She had to work. C．She was sent home.
2．What does the woman mean about the beach
A．She will walk there.
B．It’s close to the hotel.
C．It covers one square mile.
3．What was wrong with the car
A．It had a flat tire.
B．It wasn’t cleanly washed.
C．It was parked wrongly.
4．What are the two speakers doing
A．Choosing candies.
B．Reserving hotel rooms.
C．Talking about a film.
5．Where are the speakers now
A．At home. B．At a restaurant. C．In a cinema.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
6．What’s the probable relationship between Elliot and the woman
A．Teacher and student.
B．Mother and son.
C．Boss and employee.
7．What will the man do
A．Explain his work.
B．Talk with Elliot.
C．Ask parents for help.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
8．What problem does Thomas have
A．A headache. B．A toothache. C．A stomachache.
9．What does the woman mean about Thomas
A．He is homesick.
B．He eats the wrong food.
C．He should take medicine.
10．What will Thomas do next
A．Visit his parents. B．Go home directly. C．Stay in the camp.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
11．What is Tahiti famous for
A．Its surfing. B．Its location. C．Its language.
12．When will the competition probably begin
A．In 5 minutes. B．In 55 minutes. C．In over an hour.
13．Who will be probably introduced first
A．The competitors. B．The advertiser. C．The judges.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
14．Why does the man dislike take-offs
A．It is dangerous.
B．It makes him sick.
C．It takes a long time.
15．Where are the speakers going
A．Spain. B．America. C．Greece.
16．What attracts the man most
A．The villages. B．The museums. C．The beaches.
17．How does the man feel in the end
A．Nervous. B．Relieved. C．Impatient.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
18．How did Florence Nightingale get her name
A．It was given by a nurse.
B．It was from a book’s title.
C．It was from her place of birth.
19．Why was Florence Nightingale awarded the Royal Red Cross medal
A．For the hospitals she built.
B．For the cures she developed.
C．For the contributions she made.
20．What is the purpose of the speech
A．To please the audience with a story.
B．To introduce a famous historical person.
C．To show the great changes in Florence.
二、阅读理解
Portal Information for Current AARP VolunteersWhat is the Volunteer Portal
The AARP Volunteer Portal (volunteers.aarp.org) is an online platform designed to support volunteers throughout their experience with AARP. Whether you want to access volunteer resources and on-demand trainings, or connect with volunteer colleagues from across the nation, you can do it all from this secure digital platform.Who Can Use the Volunteer Portal
The AARP Volunteer Portal is accessible to all active AARP volunteers. If you are not an active AARP volunteer or are unsure of your status, please reach out to your AARP volunteer program lead or contact the Volunteer Helpline at 1-833-865-2277 or volunteer@aarp.org.How to Access the Portal
If you are a current volunteer, you can access the portal here: volunteers.aarp.org. For the best user experience, you should use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Safari to log in to the Volunteer Portal.
New Volunteer Portal users will receive an email invitation directly from their volunteer program with instructions for logging into the Volunteer Portal. If you have not received this notification and are a new AARP volunteer, please reach out to your volunteer supervisor (主管) for assistance. You will not be able to access the Volunteer Portal for the first time without the invitation email.
After your first registration and login, you cannot access the Volunteer Portal through the link in your email invitation. Returning users can navigate to the Volunteer Portal by visiting volunteers.aarp.org. To log in, you will only need the email address you used to register with AARP along with your secure password.Have more questions about the Volunteer Portal
Contact the Volunteer Helpline at volunteer@aarp.org or give us a call at 865-2277.
21．Who can make use of the Volunteer Portal
A．AARP applicants. B．Current AARP volunteers.
C．Former AARP volunteers. D．Volunteers across the nation.
22．What is required for first-time access to the Volunteer Portal
A．A secure password. B．An invitation link.
C．A registration form. D．An instructional guide.
23．What is the purpose of this text
A．To appeal for volunteers.
B．To offer tips to new members.
C．To introduce an online platform.
D．To recommend a volunteer organization.
A few years ago, a chance encounter with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) excited my deep interest in this ancient culture. Greatly fascinated, I decided to pursue a systematic study.
I applied to Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, and I was overjoyed the day I received my admission letter. At the beginning, the ancient Chinese classics and complex processes of herb collection, identification and combination were quite challenging to me. Fortunately, I had the patient guidance of professors and the enthusiastic help of classmates to rely on.
I remember when I first started learning acupuncture (针灸), I was often too hesitant to actually use the needles. To encourage me, my senior classmates generously acted as patients, braving the discomfort to let me practice acupuncture techniques on their bodies. With their support and motivation, my acupuncture skills steadily improved, and my studies quickly got on track.
During my learning journey, the most memorable experience was my internship (实习) at the Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There, I had the opportunity to participate directly in patient care. I looked forward to every Saturday afternoon when I could shadow my teacher. After each patient consultation, she would give me a detailed explanation: what the patient’s pulse (脉搏) indicated, what it represented in terms of their conditions, and the role of each herb in the prescription (处方). This approach helped shape my diagnostic thinking and was incredibly beneficial to me. Even though this meant she could never leave work on time, she never complained. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “It’s easier to get a teacher of classics than a teacher of character.”
My every day in China has been filled with challenges and surprises. TCM has taught me not just the skills to heal and save lives but how to view life. I have come to understand that the power of culture lies more in its ability to connect hearts than in its uniqueness. People from different cultural backgrounds can actually form strong connections.
24．Which of the following did the author find difficult when starting studying TCM
A．How to collect ancient Chinese classics.
B．How to combine different herbs properly.
C．How to communicate effectively with professors.
D．How to understand the ancient Chinese philosophy.
25．Why does the author mention the experience of learning acupuncture
A．To show the complexity of acupuncture.
B．To introduce the procedures of studying TCM.
C．To illustrate the supportive learning environment.
D．To stress the dangers of improper acupuncture techniques.
26．What does the author mean by the saying in paragraph 4
A．His TCM teacher is highly professional.
B．His TCM teacher is selfless and devoted.
C．His TCM teacher is strict and demanding.
D．His TCM teacher is easy to get along with.
27．What does the author learn from the experience of studying TCM
A．Life is precious.
B．Hard work pays off.
C．Uniqueness unites, not divides.
D．Culture is a bridge, not a wall.
A fully soft, 3D-printed robot that operates without any electronics has been developed by engineers at the University of California, San Diego. Led by mechanical engineer Yichen Zhai, the team created an insect-inspired robot with six flexible legs that moves completely using air from a container. Remarkably, the entire robot is printed as one single piece from plastic, a process taking about two and a half days.
Unlike conventional robots needing electricity, this innovation relies on air pressure. Because of this design, the robot is waterproof, as demonstrated when it successfully walked through beach shallows during testing.
The six-legged design provides excellent stability on rough surfaces. When moving, three legs step while the other three remain grounded, preventing the robot from tipping over easily. Perla Maiolino, a soft robotics expert at the University of Oxford, finds the design “quite interesting”, highlighting its unique single-material, single-piece construction unlike typical multi-part constructed robots.
This electronics-free approach holds significant promise for future applications. Such robots could potentially work in dangerous environments where electronics fail or pose risks, such as underwater, in mines, or even in space. They represent a step towards free-standing robots useful in tough conditions without power wires.
However, the current model has limitations. Its speed is only about 4 centimeters per second—faster than a snail but slower than a turtle—and it can only operate for 80 seconds on an air container. It also moves only in a straight line and cannot yet turn or avoid barriers. Zhai’s team is actively working on a faster version and aims to develop a turning system, potentially using controlled airflow to move around like a simple self-driving device.
While not yet ready for demanding tasks, Zhai emphasizes the robot’s current accessibility. “The robot is like a toy,” he says. Being cheaply and easily 3D printable means “If people love it, they can make it. That’s enough.”
28．What is a key feature of the robot
A．It requires complex tools to build. B．It is printed as a single plastic piece.
C．It has electronic sensors for movement. D．It uses various materials for flexibility.
29．What is Perla Maiolino’s attitude towards the robot’s design
A．Positive. B．Unconcerned. C．Doubtful. D．Careful.
30．What aspect of the robot is expected to be improved in the future research
A．Its built-in tracking system. B．Its use of electronic parts.
C．Its ability to get around flexibly. D．Its data processing speed.
31．What can be the best title for the text
A．The Development of Printing B．The Prospect of Soft Robots
C．A 3D-Printed Educational Toy D．A Novel Air-Powered Robot
People’s tendency to follow trends, especially on social media, is definitely a common phenomenon. What does psychology say about trend following and is there a way to break free from the desire to follow the newest craze
According to psychologist Pamela Rut, following trends doesn’t fully show character weakness. Rather, it is an entirely natural behavior fixed firmly into humans’ basic need to belong to a social group and establish connections with others.
Historically, following trends was critical for our survival. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that early humans worked together to transport stone tools over long distances about 2 million years ago in what is now Kenya—cooperation that allowed them to survive in a bad environment. And though following a trend on social media isn’t exactly as important as outrunning a saber-toothed tiger (剑齿虎), human evolution has programmed our brains to be receptive to social signals.
Another contributing factor the social cognition (认知)—the processes that determine what we notice and how we respond to others—largely takes place in the parts of the brain that oversee sight, pattern recognition, decision-making, and similar functions. “Thanks to our humans’ complex cognitive systems, our brains are really good at identifying patterns and motivating behavior that communicates our social status. As a result, you can use almost anything to signal your membership or connection with a social group. Giving off the right social signals lets others know which group you belong to or want to engage with and those signals are monitored and interpreted by others. Referred to as identity signaling, these behaviors can range from putting a bumper sticker on a car to selecting a brand of clothing,” said Rut.
Almost everyone follows trends in social groups, without exception. However, tweens, teens and young adults are especially likely to follow trends, including risky ones, due to their heightened desire for acceptance and belonging among peers. Therefore, it’s of great significance to guide them during their journey towards maturity.
32．What does Rut think of following trends
A．Risky. B．Funny. C．Strange. D．Reasonable.
33．What is the hidden meaning of identity signaling
A．A great thirst for belonging. B．Blind pursuit of novelty.
C．Good taste in fashion industry. D．A true reflection of personality.
34．Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage
A．Trend-following is a harmful behavior that must be stopped.
B．Social media makes trend-following essential for modern survival.
C．Trend-following is a natural human behavior driven by social needs.
D．Trend-following is an unchangeable human instinct proven by science.
35．What will the following-up paragraph most probably discuss
A．Insights into the coming trends. B．Tips on following trends sensibly.
C．Psychology behind trend following. D．Parental guidance in kids’ future jobs.
Ask a parent today what they worry about, and many will mention screen time. 36 And is my kid really doing homework on their computer, or have they been watching YouTube for four hours
Despite these concerns, many parents are resigned (顺从的). They’ll tell their kids they aren’t allowed on social media, only for their children to open accounts anyway. Many parents are driven to extreme despair, and others have simply given up. 37 According to my own experience, talking is just not enough. We need clear rules around technology use because they are kids. Below is my advice.
38 Six out of ten 11-to-17-year-olds use their phone between midnight and 5 a.m. at least once a week, causing them to lose sleep every time the phone buzzes (震动) and they grab their phone to see what’s going on. The mere presence of a phone in the bedroom can disturb sleep, and kids don’t even have to be using it in the middle of the night.
Then, first phones should be basic phones. 39 They have no social media and no AI companions, but they can call, text, and take pictures just like a smartphone. If you don’t want your kid on social media until they are 16 or older — and that’s the growing agreement — basic phones make that much easier, while allowing kids to text their friends.
40 But rules like these are much easier to follow than the unclear “every kid is different” advice. Even if you can only follow some of the rules some of the time, your kids will benefit. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
A．The best is certain to come.
B．Teens can’t put down their phones.
C．Families care much about their kids.
D．Basic phones have no internet browser (浏览器).
E．Applying these rules is not always easy.
F．No electronic devices in the bedroom overnight.
G．That’s because much advice is difficult to follow.
三、完形填空
Every day on my way to college, I meet the same woman. Her courage and toughness quietly 41 me. She works nights at a hospital, 42 looking after patients. After her long hours, she walks nearly 12 kilometers to reach home because she cannot 43 daily transportation. Watching her 44 was heartbreaking, and I knew I had to do something, even if it was small.
One day, I offered her a 45 . Her eyes lit up with relief, and a soft, grateful smile spread across her face. Since then, giving her a ride has become part of my daily 46 . For me, it takes just a few minutes; for her, it saves hours of walking and 47 her tired, aching legs.
Every morning, she gives me her best wishes, her voice full of 48 : “May you have everything you dream of.” Her words touch me deeply and stay with me throughout the day. Over time, our rides have 49 more than just a commute (通勤) — they have become a small, shared moment of human connection.
I’ve realized that even small 50 can create a ripple (涟漪) of positivity. She gains comfort and 51 , and I gain perspective, gratitude, and the joy of making a difference. Sometimes, life offers us chances not just to move forward ourselves but to 52 someone along the way — and in those moments, both lives become fuller.
Kindness doesn’t have to be grand — it can live in daily 53 actions. And when we open our hearts, even in small ways, what we receive can often 54 what we give. When we help someone, even in a small way, the ripple of 55 spreads far beyond what we can see.
41．A．defend B．inspire C．amuse D．accompany
42．A．regularly B．efficiently C．tirelessly D．independently
43．A．choose B．provide C．afford D．improve
44．A．perform B．cry C．wander D．struggle
45．A．ride B．present C．guarantee D．challenge
46．A．exercise B．requirement C．routine D．news
47．A．trains B．treats C．spares D．supports
48．A．surprise B．charm C．warmth D．satisfaction
49．A．brought about B．thrown in C．consisted of D．turned into
50．A．acts B．tasks C．beliefs D．dreams
51．A．work B．rest C．payment D．credit
52．A．help B．greet C．reward D．join
53．A．frequent B．typical C．extraordinary D．thoughtful
54．A．balance B．outweigh C．ensure D．repay
55．A．relief B．expectation C．excitement D．kindness
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。
Amid deafening cheers from more than 62,000 fans at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center, the final whistle marked the end of the first season of China’s Su Super League. This amateur league 56 (attract) wide attention to the nation’s grassroots sports since its start.
In the last exciting penalty shootout (点球大战), the less-favored team Taizhou 57 (narrow) defeated Nantong 4 - 3, 58 gave the previously unbeaten team its first and toughest 59 (lose) of the season.
Taking fun ideas from both the English Premier League and the Chinese Super League, the Su Super League has become 60 popular local event — full of local team competitions, exciting moments, and loud, full stadiums.
Tickets for the final were very hard 61 (get), with only 1.2 percent of applicants successful. And the record number of 62,329 audience set a new high for amateur football events in China.
The influence went 62 the football field. According to the province’s business department, major shops and supermarkets in Jiangsu reported 11.64 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in total 63 (sale) during match days, an increase by 34.7 percent compared to the previous year, while the foot traffic (人流量) 64 (rise) by 31.2 percent.
With the first season of China’s Su Super League 65 (go) popular, tourism also grew strongly. By the day of the final, host cities had welcomed about 24 million visitors to major tourist spots on match days, up 17.7 percent from a year earlier.
五、书信写作
66．假定你是李华，为了鼓励留学生讲述自己的中国故事，你校将举办主题为“我所了解的中国(China as I know it)”的汉语演讲比赛。请你给Alex写一封电子邮件，邀请他参加，内容包括：
(1)活动介绍与要求；
(2)报名方式。
注意：
(1)词数80个左右；
(2)请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Alex,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
六、书面表达
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。
Lily hurried down Oak Street, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders as she checked her watch for the third time. She was five minutes late for her part-time job at the community library and knew her boss would be waiting. As she rounded the corner near the bakery, she nearly ran into an elderly woman carrying a large, heavy canvas bag.
“Sorry! I’m so sorry — I wasn’t looking!” Lily explained, quickly comforting the woman. The woman smiled warmly, her eyes wrinkling at the corners. “No harm done, dear. My legs aren’t what they used to be, and this bag’s heavier than it looks.” Lily glanced down and saw the bag stuffed with groceries. The woman’s knuckles (指关节) turned white as she held the handles tight, her hands trembling slightly.
“Let me take this for you — it’s too heavy,” Lily said, taking the bag before she could refuse. The woman, Mrs. Henderson, pointed to a small blue house with a white fence two blocks away. As they walked slowly, Mrs. Henderson chatted about her injured cat, Mabel. She found it on the street and took it home. Now she was worried about it. They tried to speed up.
By the time they reached the house, Lily was fifteen minutes late for work. Mrs. Henderson insisted on inviting her in for lemonade and cookies, but Lily said, “I really have to go, but nice meeting you!”. Mrs. Henderson held her hands tightly and thanked her again and again. “You’re such a kind girl. Not many young people these days would stop to help an old lady like me.” she said.
Lily rushed to the library, where her boss Mr. Jenkins gave her a gentle reminder about being on time. But as she shelved books that afternoon, she couldn’t stop thinking about Mrs. Henderson’s grateful smile. That evening, as she walked home, she passed Mrs. Henderson’s house and noticed something strange through the living room window.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Mrs. Henderson was sitting alone in the room, talking to her cat.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Then Lily gently knocked on the door.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1．A
【原文】W: A teacher at the school called. Molly’s ill and they want to send her home. My husband can’t get there. Will it be OK if I go early
M: Yes, of course. Give your work to Lucy. I hope Molly doesn’t have anything serious.
2．B
【原文】M: How far is the hotel from the beach I don’t want to go if it’s too far.
W: No, it’s just one mile away. Go straight for 500 meters. Turn right and walk another kilometer.
3．A
【原文】W: I hope I haven’t damaged the car. I drove to the shops, and then took it to the car wash. I parked it outside the house just now and I noticed one of the tires is completely flat.
M: Didn’t it feel different
4．C
【原文】W: Oh no, I hate this part, which is really scary. It’s the part when the killer comes out of the hotel room and...
M: Don’t tell me! You’ll ruin the film for me. Here, have another candy and don’t say another word until the end.
5．B
【原文】W: I didn’t expect to see you here, Gary. Do you come to this restaurant every Saturday night
M: No, but I wanted a change from watching TV, so it is either this or the cinema.
W: Well, I think you’ll enjoy the food here.
6．A 7．B
【原文】W: I’m worried about Elliot. He’s been late for school several times recently, and he didn’t turn up at all for Sports Day. Also, the homework he hands in to me is getting worse and worse. His marks keep going down.
M: Yes, I know. I think he’s having some family issues, and I’m afraid they’re affecting his schoolwork.
W: You need to have a serious talk with him. I can understand if there are family problems, but we don’t want them harming his future.
M: I know. I’ll talk with him tomorrow. I’ll ask if we can help with any of his problems and explain that his work needs to improve.
8．C 9．A 10．C
【原文】M: Mrs. Day, I don’t feel so good.
W: What’s bothering you, Thomas Is it the same problem from this morning I can’t give you any more medicine for that until tomorrow.
M: No. It’s not my head. Now my stomach hurts.
W: I don’t have any other patients right now, so why don’t we sit and talk Do you realize that you’ve come to visit me here at the health office every day since camp began
M: Yes, but I’m not pretending to be sick. I really feel bad and want to go home.
W: Well, I don’t think it’s the food. None of the other children have this problem. I think you’re just missing your home and parents. There is nothing wrong with that.
M: Then can I go home now
W: No. Your parents are coming in three days. So relax until then.
11．A 12．C 13．B
【原文】W: Welcome to the International Surf Invitational. We’re here in the Pacific island nation of Tahiti, also known as the home to surfing.
M: As a native Hawaiian, I’d say otherwise. But I’m grateful to be here with Sara today, and I respect the rich tradition of surfing throughout the Pacific islands.
W: Similarly, Tom! It’s with great honor that we introduce you to our home in Tahiti. But I’m sorry for forgetting the words in Hawaiian that you taught me before.
M: The pleasure is mine! What a joy to watch the best surfers in the world compete. I always forget that Tahitians’ first language is French — I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.
W: No worries. For the convenience of the viewers here at Bora Bora beach or online, English will be fine.
M: Deal. Over one hour later, we’ll introduce this year’s competitors and judges while they get ready to start. Before this, there will be a five-minute section with the Tahiti tourism board — our chief advertiser for this event.
14．B 15．C 16．A 17．B
【原文】M: I’m not looking forward to this.
W: Why not This is the holiday you’ve been waiting the whole year for!
M: It’s not the holiday. It’s traveling on the plane that I’m worried about. I hate take-offs.
W: But you’ve done this many times before. You never said anything when we went to Spain.
M: It started on that flight to America nine years ago. When we rise very quickly, it really makes my stomach turn. When the plane races down the track, the engines scream loudly.
W: OK, well, we’re finally about to take off. You just need to calm down. Here, take my hand...What are you looking forward to the most about visiting Greece The beaches The museums Or maybe it’s the late evenings relaxing by the bar with a drink
M: I...oh dear, here we go...Well, I’d love to go visit local villages...You know...see how real Greeks live...have a walk...have a drink and a bite to eat in the local restaurants...and...and...oh dear...
W: There we are. We’re up in the air.
M: Phew! Thank goodness I’m alive. I feel great!
W: Good, because in five hours we will land in Greece.
18．C 19．C 20．B
【原文】Florence Nightingale was born into a wealthy British family on May 12, 1820. She was named Florence after the place of her birth, Florence in Italy. Working as a nurse, she saved the lives of many soldiers during the Crimean War. She was devoted to her profession and worked hard day and night. Florence Nightingale changed the way that hospitals cared for their patients. Before, hospitals were overcrowded and dirty places. This meant that diseases were easily spread. There weren’t enough doctors or beds to go around, so people often didn’t get the care they needed. Florence Nightingale changed all of this by making hospitals cleaner places. She also trained more nurses to help care for patients. She made sure patients were well looked after and had good food to eat, which saved many lives. Florence met Queen Victoria, who awarded her the Royal Red Cross medal. Every year on May 12, her birthday, nurses celebrate International Nurses Day. Florence opened a school of nursing and wrote a book called Notes on Nursing. King Edward Ⅶ gave Florence a special award called the Order of Merit in 1907. She was the first woman to receive this award and she changed the way that women were seen in the workplace. She died in 1910.
21．B 22．B 23．C
24．B 25．C 26．B 27．D
28．B 29．A 30．C 31．D
32．D 33．A 34．C 35．B
36．B 37．G 38．F 39．D 40．E
41．B 42．C 43．C 44．D 45．A 46．C 47．C 48．C 49．D 50．A 51．B 52．A 53．D 54．B 55．D
56．has attracted 57．narrowly 58．which 59．loss 60．a 61．to get 62．beyond 63．sales 64．rose 65．going
66．Dear Alex,
I’m writing to invite you to our school’s Chinese speech contest themed “China as I know it”. It aims to encourage international students to share their unique stories and insights about China.
The contest will be held next Friday afternoon. You’re supposed to give a 3-minute speech in Chinese, focusing on your personal experiences or understandings of Chinese culture, customs or society.
If you’re interested, please sign up by sending an email to the student union (su@ourschool.) before next Monday. I’m sure it’ll be a great chance to showcase your Chinese skills and make more friends. Looking forward to your participation!
Yours,
Li Hua
67．范文
Mrs. Henderson was sitting alone in the room, talking to her cat. Mabel lay weakly on the couch, with its fur messy and eyes half-closed. “I know you’re hurting, but I am helpless here too, Dear.” Mrs. Henderson whispered, stroking the cat slowly, her voice shaky. “I wanted to take you to the vet, but my legs just won’t let me hurry, you know.” Lily’s chest felt tight — she’d noticed how worried Mrs. Henderson was earlier, but left too fast. She knew she had to do something to help.
Then Lily gently knocked on the door. When Mrs. Henderson opened it, surprise made her eyes wide. “I can help you to take Mabel to the vet,” Lily said in a hurried and eager voice. “My mom works at the animal clinic nearby, and I brought a bag to carry the cat.” Mrs. Henderson held Lily’s hands, tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you so much,” she said over and over again. Together, they lifted Mabel carefully, heading to the clinic with light, hopeful steps.
