绝密★启用前
2025-2026 年宕昌第一中学、第二中学、两当第一中学
高三一模摸底考试英语试卷
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，并标在试卷的相应位置。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’s the woman’s suggestion for the man
A. Losing some weight.
B. Meeting her sister.
C. Getting dressed for a gathering.
2. How do the speakers feel about the new flat
A. Surprised. B. Satisfied. C. Disappointed.
3. What is the weather like today
A. It’s windy. B. It’s rainy. C. It’s snowy.
4. What are the speakers doing
A. Reading a newspaper.
B. Writing a report.
C. Playing sports.
5. What does the man do
A. A gardener. B. A doctor. C. A postman.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。6. What will Jane do
A. Change a room.
B. Make a journey.
C. Buy a ticket.
7. Why did the man fail to tell Jane the news yesterday
A. He was busy.
B. He forgot to do it.
C. He couldn’t reach her.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。8. What are the speakers mainly talking about
A. The conference place.
B. The conference budget.
C. The conference time.
9. Why won’t the woman choose the Trade Club this year
A. It’s fully booked.
B It’s badly equipped.
C. It’s too expensive.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。10. Where does the conversation take place
A. In a classroom.
B. In a library.
C. In a bookstore.
11. When should Jack finish the article
A. On Wednesday.
B. On Tuesday.
C. On Monday.
12. What will Jack write about
A. His favorite book.
B. His favorite play.
C. His favorite movie.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。13. Why does the woman talk to the man
A. For a holiday.
B. For a survey.
C. For a job application.
14. How much can the man get from his parents every month
A. About $150.
B. About $125.
C. About $50.
15. What kind of job does the man do every Friday evening
A. Babysitting.
B. Computer repairing.
C. Housework for his uncle.
16. What does the man spend most of his pocket money on
A. Food.
B. Phone bills.
C. Books.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。17. What can we know about the weather in Alaska now
A. It’s hot.
B. It’s cold.
C. It’s warm.
18. What is the news about
A. A rock from outer space.
B. A science project.
C. A big earthquake.
19. Where did the event probably happen
A. About 12 kilometers north of Barrow.
B. About 20 kilometers south of Barrow.
C. About 22 kilometers east of Barrow.
20. What happened 65 million years ago
A. The dinosaurs went extinct.
B. Varieties of plants emerged.
C. Bird species died out.
第二部分 阅读(共两节，满分 50 分)
第一节(共 15 小题; 每小题 2.5 分，满分 37.5 分)
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项 A、B、C、D 四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Upcoming Poetry Foundation Events in Chicago and Online
AR. Ammons: Watercolors
Thursday, May 9, 2024 — Wednesday, May 15, 2024 In-Person
Well-known as one of the most gifted and fruitful poets of the mode m era, A. R. Ammons was also an abundant painter. A.R.Ammons: Watercolors focuses on Ammons’s abstract watercolors painted during 1977 — 1979, a time of intense productivity. These abstract watercolors echo those found in Ammons’s poems and offer in expanded understanding of his art. No fees are required.
Let’s Talk About ART with HPAC
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 — Wednesday, May 22,2024 In-Person
Join us for a free four-week hybrid program exploring visual poetry in partnership with the Hyde Park Art Center’s 65+ Education program. Together, we will read, discuss, and compose visual poems, drawing inspiration from the exhibition Kara Walker: Back of Hand, currently an view at the Poetry Foundation.
*NOTE: This program is for adult participants 65 years and older.
Forms & Features Online: Haiku
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 2:00 PM CT — 4:00 PM CT Online
Come and participate in our haiku exploration! Completely free of charge, the two-hour session offers an immersive journey into haiku, a Japanese verse form that in Western practice often presents a striking combination of images. The group will analyze a wide variety of poems and conclude with a guided creative writing workshop, where participants will compose original haiku.
*NOTE: This program is for adult participants, aged 18 and older.
Forms & Features with Hua XI
Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 11:00 AM CDT — 1:00 PM CDT Online
Poets have historically helped spread the myths of various places as well as popularize and explain commonplace names. The workshop, led by the 2022 Poct-to-Come Scholar HuaXi, invites participants to use poetry as a tool to reconsider the language in their landscape. During the workshop, students will create poems using maps, and in doing so rebuilding relationships between space, language and belonging.
*NOTE: Free Admission. Limited seats available, reservation required.
21. What might the exhibition Kara Walker: Back of Hand focus on
A. Foreign verse forms. B. Watercolors with poems.
C. 65+ Education program. D. Visual poetry selection.
22. An individual interested in exploring poetry and geography may attend ________.
A. A. R Ammons: Watercolors B. Let’s Talk About ART with HPAC
C. Forms & Features Online: Haiku D. Forms & Features with Hua Xi
23. What is the primary goal of the Poetry Foundation events
A. To foster international cultural exchange. B. To promote engagement with poetry.
C. To bring in profits for future events. D. To popularize lesser- known artists.
Nuclear expert Peng Shilu once said that he only did two things in his entire life: one was to build nuclear submarines (核潜艇), and the other to build nuclear power plants. Despite being one of the founding members of China’s nuclear power industry, Peng described himself as playing a tiny role in the task. In fact, he held leading positions in most of China’s early nuclear power projects, from the first-generation nuclear submarines to the establishment of Dayawan and Qinshan nuclear power stations.
Peng was born in 1925 into a family of heroes. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Peng was selected to study chemical machinery (化工机械) in the Soviet Union. In 1956, when he was about to graduate, he faced a turning point in his life. At that time, the central government decided to select a group of outstanding students studying abroad to transfer to the atomic (原子的) energy major. Peng willingly agreed, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to developing China’s nuclear power.
In 1958, China started to independently develop its own nuclear submarines, and Peng was appointed to take charge of the research and design of the nuclear propulsion system. In the 1980s, China decided to build a commercial nuclear power plant. Appointed as the director-in-chief, Peng once again devoted himself to its preparation and construction.
During his career, Peng held a variety of high-ranking titles. In 1994, he was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, one of the top academic bodies in China.
Peng passed away in Beijing on March 22 2021 at the age of 96. The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee awarded the title “Role Model of the Times” to Peng for his contributions.
24. What does the author suggest in the first paragraph
A. Peng took interest in nothing but nuclear power.
B. Peng was actually a very modest person.
C. Peng played a tiny role in building nuclear power plants.
D. Peng was the most vital figure in the nuclear field.
25. What does the underlined part in the 2nd paragraph mean
A. Focus on. B. Know about. C. Turn to. D. Research into.
26. How does the author develop the passage
A. By following the time order. B. By showing the great importance.
C. By providing some similar examples. D. By explaining the process of research.
27. Which of the following is the proper title for the passage
A. A National Celebration for a Nuclear Scientist
B. Peng Shilu’s Work on Nuclear Submarines and Plants
C. The Nation’s Mourning for a Nuclear Expert
D. A Lifetime of Devotion to China’s Nuclear Power
I was on the edge of burnout, after months of hard preparation for the college entrance exams. Every day was filled with textbooks and endless practice papers, and I had gradually moved away from music, the very thing that once brought me the greatest joy.
One weekend, I happened to come across a street music festival. Among the performers was a young girl around my age, she had a voice that seemed to cut through my tiredness and I can’t help tapping my feet, with a long-lost sense of excitement welling up inside.
That performance served as a turning point. It made me realize how much I had been sacrificing my inner self for school achievements. With determination, I got back my old piano sheet music and changed my study schedule. Despite the heavy workload, I set aside a fixed period to enjoy music. Whether I was practicing challenging classical pieces or creating simple melodies, those musical moments became a necessary part of my daily life.
Surprisingly, these music breaks became a source of energy and inspiration. The pleasant flow of notes calmed my nerves, improved my concentration and refreshed my mind. I began to study with newfound eagerness. Music, in fact, taught me that even in the most stressful times, I could maintain my love for music while still staying devoted to my study-related goals, achieving a balance between aim and interest.
28. Why did the author stop enjoying music before
A. Busy exam preparation. B. Less interest in music.
C. Family pressure for grades. D. Negative effects of addiction.
29. What did the girl’s performance inspire the author to do
A. To dance with the girl. B. To feel sorry for relaxing.
C. To ignore upcoming exams. D. To recover long-lost excitement.
30. What was the influence of music breaks
A. Better focus on studying. B. Lower grades in exams.
C. Strong desire to be a musician. D. Fewer hours for practice papers.
31. What’s the author’s change after the music festival
A. Improving old piano sheet. B. Reducing study time for music.
C. Balancing study and music. D. Creating classical pieces.
When did you last write a letter Properly write on—by hand In a digital world, where sending a text or email is far more convenient than using snail mail, is the writing on the wall for traditional pen and paper Well, some people claim that writing still has many benefits, so maybe it's not time to ditch your ballpoint(圆珠笔)or fountain pen(钢笔)yet.
These days, when people request things in writing, a typed, electronic document will be accepted. Doing this on a computer means it could be saved, edited, copied and sent via email. But crafting a handwriting document is unique: It requires planning and thought, and, as well as practising your handwriting, it helps you to remember spelling and punctuation.
Some experts believe your brain benefits from using old-fashioned pen and paper. This is particularly relevant for students,where typing notes into a laptop is thought to lack the "tactile feedback"(触觉反馈)to the brain that contact between pen and paper docs. BBC Worklife website quotes Hetty Roessingh from the University of Calgary,who says that "taking notes by hand involves cognitive(认知的)engagement in summarizing, adapting, organizing. concept and vocabulary mapping. Others agree that handwriting may boost fine motor skills in your hands and fingers.
There are everyday benefits to using pen and paper too. Scribbling(涂狗)notes，shopping lists or messages on the back of an envelope can still be useful, quick and portable. But putting pen to paper in a letter to a friend or loved one can probably have the most impact. Pen pal writer Katherine Moller told the BBC: "In a world where it is so easy to hop online to email or to send a fast text, it is so personal and so precious to know someone chose to turn off the virtual world to spend some time with you."
So, while digital skills remain important, don't write off your pens and pencils yet—especially if your smartphone, tablet or laptop runs out of power!
32 What does the underlined word "ditch"mean in the first paragraph
A. Write. B. Abandon.
C Save. D. Choose.
33. What does the writer want to emphasize in Paragraph 2
A. The popularity of electronic documents.
B. The convenience of electronic documents.
C. The special features of handwritten documents.
D. The basic requirements of handwritten documents.
34. Which of the following is the benefit of writing by hand
A. It fully develops your hand muscles.
B. It helps you to practise your handwriting.
C. It strengthens the bond between pen and paper.
D. It sharpens your comprehensive cognitive abilities.
35. What can we infer from Katherine Moller's words
A. It is necessary for us to turn off the virtual world.
B. Scribbling notes should be practised in our daily life.
C. Using paper and pen has the greatest impact on our daily life.
D. Writing a letter by hand can be a touching and valuable experience.
第二节(共 5 小题;每小题 2.5 分，满分 12.5 分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
If you want to develop maximum credibility (可信性), is it better to be a hedgehog (刺猬) or a fox According to Isaiah Berlin, the hedgehog knows one thing very well, and the fox knows a lot of things.
Is there a clear advantage of one style over the other Hedgehog thinkers tend to answer yes. ___36___ And they are usually very credible in doing so. According to Jim Hart, the “hedgehog concept” is one of the factors that lead companies to greatness. They focus on one thing and do it really well. They figure out what they are good at. ___37___ The hedgehog concept makes perfect sense for companies.
___38___ Philip Tate has studied the track records of those folks on the Sunday talk shows who make predictions about what will happen. He has found that hedgehogs are not only wrong more often than foxes, but that they are less likely to recognise or admit that they are wrong when events do not match their predictions.
The advantage that foxes have is that they are more likely to seek out new information from a broader range of sources, and are comfortable with uncertainty and new information. ___39___ They try to include it in their viewpoint rather than to exclude it from their thinking. They also have a clearer estimation of what they know and don’t know.
So, which is better The question can be answered in a foxy hedgehog style. ___40___ The choice between being a hedgehog or a fox is a false trade-off. The most effective way to go through life is to try to be that rare mixture known as foxy hedgehog.
A. In other words, there are clear advantages for each.
B. They are more likely to remember people’s mistakes.
C. Hence, they have the advantage of clarity and confidence.
D. But there can be a downside to concentration on one big thing.
E. However, hedgehogs remain open to others’ reactions and inputs.
F. When something is contradictory to their view, they don’t treat it as exceptional.
G. They come down squarely on one side or the other and fully support their position.
第三部分 语言运用(共两节，满分 30 分)
第一节(共 15 小题;每小题 1 分，满分 15 分)
阅读下面短文，从每题所给的 A、B、C 和 D 四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1833, Brahms soon expressed a keen interest in music and displayed unusual talent. His father recognized his ____41____ and provided him with the necessary support and encouragement to ____42____ his musical dreams.
However, Brahms faced numerous challenges on his path to success. His family struggled ____43____, and Brahms often had to take odd jobs to support himself. Despite these troubles, he still continued to study composition and ____44____ himself to the works of great composers.
Brahms’ ____45____ came when he met the famous composer Robert Schumann, who recognized his genius and became his teacher. Schumann introduced Brahms to influential ____46____ and helped him gain recognition in the field of music. Unfortunately, Schumann’s mental health ____47____, and he killed himself. Brahms, extremely upset by the loss of his teacher, stepped in to ____48____ Schumann’s sad wife and children.
Amid personal confusion and the weight of responsibility, Brahms poured his ____49____ into his music. His compositions began to gain attention, and his reputation as a composer started to grow. Despite facing criticism and comparisons to other great composers, Brahms remained _____50_____.
Brahms’ music showed his _____51_____ talent for creating rich and emotional compositions. His approach to composition and devotion to music set him apart. Each note was carefully considered and polished (改进) to _____52_____.
Throughout his life, Brahms remained modest and _____53_____ his skill. He was known to be a perfectionist. His devotion to excellence _____54_____ him to new heights in the world of classical music.
Johannes Brahms’ story tells us that perseverance, passion, and firm commitment help him succeed. Today, Brahms’ music continues to _____55_____ and move audiences worldwide.
41. A. action B. choice C. opportunity D. potential
42. A. pursue B. decide C. evaluate D. measure
43. A. emotionally B. financially C. physically D. mentally
44. A. adapted B. devoted C. limited D. reduced
45. A. project B. difficulty C. breakthrough D. attention
46. A. judges B. gardeners C. conductors D. musicians
47. A. worsened B. changed C. improved D. lasted
48. A. inform B. support C. influence D. train
49. A. emotions B. amusement C. money D. steps
50. A. careful B. frank C. persistent D. responsible
51. A. primary B. common C. familiar D. excellent
52. A. sweetness B. appearance C. perfection D. popularity
53. A. relied on B. focused on C. looked on D. called on
54. A. pushed B. pulled C. pressed D. threw
55. A. guard B. remind C. shape D. inspire
第二节(共 10 小题;每小题 1.5 分，满分 15 分)
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。
Jonny: Hey! I’m just practicing Tai Chi(太极). Would you like to join me
Peter: I know nothing about it. Is it difficult
Jonny: It seems easy, but you need a lot of practice. You just follow me like this.
Peter: OK. Don’t laugh ___56___ me. I may look funny.
Jonny: Bend your knees slightly and reach out your arms like tree branches, naturally and ___57___(soft). Try to keep your body straight. Move slowly, then be sure to keep your balance and don’t let your body shake.
Peter: I cannot control my body well. My legs become ___58___(pain).
Jonny: Keep ___59___(hold) your position for a while. It helps develop your strength and flexibility. Raise your leg and let ___60___ stay in the air for seconds.
Peter: I feel my legs shaking. I cannot do this any longer.
Jonny: Be patient! Tai Chi ___61___(call) “shadow boxing” in English. It asks you to act like water: to be flexible as well ___62___ strong. In real competition, a Tai Chi master borrows the strength of the competitor and uses this energy to fight back. The ___63___(hard) you try to beat him, the more likely you will get hit. He controls you!
Peter: Unbelievable! Oh...,___64___ you don't mind, I'll stop and take a deep____65____ (breathe).
第四部分 写作 (共两节，满分 40 分)
第一节 (满分 15 分)
66. 假定你是李华，随着寒假的到来，学生们身心疲惫，学业压力渐增。上周我校举办了以主题为“微笑面对困难，幽默应对人生”的演讲比赛，请你写一篇英语演讲稿参加比赛，内容包括：
内容：1. 演讲比赛的目的；
2. 微笑和幽默的重要性；
3. 你的号召。
注意：1.词数 100 左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
Good morning, dear friends! With the approach of winter vacation,
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________
Thank you for your listening!
第二节(满分 25 分)
67. 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
Amellia received her end-of-year exam results — another failure in mathematics. Staring at the numbers and symbols, which were difficult to understand, in the test paper, she had to fight back her tears. She put the test paper aside and lay in the sofa, saying to herself, “I can never do this” in disappointment.
Having seen all this, Amellia’s father came, sitting beside her, “You can, if you think you can,” he said. His voice carried the firm message it always did when repeating his life’s mantra (口头禅).
“That’s easy for you to say,” Amellia groaned (嘟囔), “Math makes no sense to me.”
Her father sighed, removing his glasses. “When I was thirteen, I was asked to stand before the class to read aloud. I couldn’t. The words swam on the page. Dyslexia (阅读困难症) . No one understood it then. But my father told me those same words — ‘You can, if you think you can’ and eventually, I proved him right.”
Amellia wiped her nose, her father’s mantra sounding meaningless to her. Anyway, her problem was not dyslexia; it was math!
Months passed with little progress. Treating her efforts as useless, Amellia even gave up her struggle.
Each of Mr. Thompson’s math classes felt like approaching a battlefield unarmed. Unsurprisingly, she got another D for math in the October exam and she almost gave herself up as hopeless.
That evening, Dad seated Amellia at the kitchen table and placed a cup of tea before her. “I’m poor at math,” she sighed to the steaming liquid. “You are poor at math,” he agreed, surprising her. “But one day you’ll say you were poor at math.” He patted her shoulder. “The question is — do you want that day to come ”
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。
Something in Dad’s tone inspired Amellia.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
On exam day, Amellia’s hands shook as she entered the hall to take the math exam.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
答案
1. A
【原文】M: I happened to meet your sister Lucy in the supermarket. She didn’t recognize me at first.
W: It’s not surprising. You put on too much weight recently. It’s time for you to do something.
2. B
【原文】M: Our new flat is quiet and clean. You know, I can’t stand loud noise.
W: Yeah, and I’m glad that we found a bigger flat in this building.
3. C
【原文】W: Do you know tomorrow’s weather, Mike
M: They said the snow would stop, but it would be windy.
4. A
【原文】W: This is an interesting report. Want to read it
M: Not really. I want to read the sports section and look over the advertisements first.
5. C
【原文】M: I had a bad day yesterday. I had been delivering mail until seven in the evening and was bitten by the dog at the last house.
W: Oh, dear! Bad luck! Did you go to see the doctor right away Are you OK now
6. B 7. C
【原文】W: Hello!
M: Hi, Jane. I’m glad to tell you we’ve got the plane ticket for you. I wanted to tell you yesterday, but I couldn’t get through to you.
W: Thanks a lot. It’s nice of you to call. Now my journey to Shanghai won’t be delayed.
M: I wish you a good journey.
W: Thank you very much. Bye.
M: Bye-bye.
8. A 9. B
【原文】M: Where are we holding the conference this year
W: How about that new hotel in town
M: It’s beyond our budget. Somewhere like the conference center is more suitable — but it’s fully booked. I thought.
W: Everyone complained about the Trade Club last year, because its basic equipment was so poor.
M: Well, maybe we should spend more money on the meeting place this year. Let’s go with your idea.
10. B 11. A 12. C
【原文】W: Hi, Jack, what a busy Monday. You are spending a lot of time in the library today. What’s up Are you becoming a hardworking boy
M: Hi, Cindy, you’re joking. I’m thinking about my article for our school magazine. I have to finish it the day after tomorrow. The title is my favorite book, but I can’t decide what to write about.
W: Well, what’s your favorite book then
M: It’s hard to say. In fact, I don’t really enjoy reading.
W: I see. Can you write about something else, a film or a play, for example
M: I don’t think so. I promised Betty to write about a book.
W: I’m sure Betty will be pleased if you write an article, even if it’s not about a book.
M: I think you have got it right. I’ll write about my favourite film instead. Thanks, Cindy.
W: You’re welcome.
13. B 14. C 15. A 16. C
【原文】W: Excuse me. I’m from the USA Today. We’re making a survey on teenagers’ pocket money. Would you like to answer some questions
M: Sure, my pleasure.
W: Well, to begin with, do you mind telling us how much pocket money you get from your parents every month
M: OK. I get about $50 from my parents every month.
W: Do you get pocket money in other ways
M: Yes. I do housework for my uncle three hours a week to make a little. I work as a babysitter for my neighbor every Friday evening. They pay me $12.5 an hour. And I’m good at the computer, so sometimes I also help people repair their computers.
W: Wow, you have pretty good sources of money. Then, how do you usually spend your pocket money
M: Well, I use most of the money in the bookstore. I pay my phone bill every month. And I have to buy food every day.
W: What a nice young man! Thank you for talking with the USA Today.
17. B 18. A 19. B 20. A
【原文】W: Hello. This is Grace Rice reporting for TBC News in snowstorm conditions in the freezing state of Alaska. I’ve just arrived here in Barrow, Alaska, to bring you a special report. A huge piece of rock from outer space hit this area only 12 hours ago. The exact location is unknown, but right now, the best guess is about 20 kilometers south of Barrow. Some people said they saw a bright light moving through the sky with a loud, deep sound moment before it landed. It’s unknown whether there are any deaths, but it is unlikely that this area doesn’t have a large population. Such events were common during the formation of our solar system. Many people believe that a rock from outer space that crashed into Earth 65 million years ago led to the mass extinction of many animal species, including the dinosaurs, as well as most plants. OK, we’ll keep you up to date on any development here. This is Grace Rice reporting from Alaska.
21. D 22. D 23. B 24. B 25. C 26. A 27. D 28. A 29. D 30. A 31. C 32. B 33. C 34. D 35. D 36. G 37. C 38. D 39. F 40. A 41. D 42. A 43. B 44. B 45. C 46. D 47. A 48. B 49. A 50. C 51. D 52. C 53. B 54. A 55. D
56. at 57. softly
58. painful
59. holding
60. it 61. is called
62. as 63. harder
64. if 65. breath
66. 范文
Good morning, dear friends! With the approach of winter vacation, many of us are feeling physically and mentally exhausted. Last week, our school held a speech contest themed “Face Difficulties with a Smile, Tackle Life with Humor,” aiming to rejuvenate our spirits and equip us with a positive mindset.
The purpose of this contest was not merely to showcase eloquent speakers but to remind us of the power of a smile and humor in navigating life’s challenges. In times of stress and hardship, a genuine smile can lighten our load, while humor serves as a shield, deflecting negativity and fostering resilience.
I urge each one of you to cultivate a habit of smiling and embracing humor in your daily lives.
Thank you for your listening!
67. Something in Dad’s tone inspired Amellia. The next morning, Amellia deleted all social media apps from her phone. She began attending Mr. Thompson’s after-school tutoring. At first, progress was slow. Some nights she cried over difficult problems. But gradually, something positive changed. Variables stopped being enemies and became tools. By March, she was waking at 5:30 am to practice papers. She declined birthday parties and movie nights. Her father watched this shift with quiet pride, reminding her to relax and refresh herself from time to time.
On exam day, Amellia’s hands shook as she entered the hall to take the math exam. The paper seemed to be scary as ever. Then, her father’s voice echoed in her mind: You can, if you think you can. She took a deep breath and managed to focus on the test items. Gradually, she was fully engaged in them, writing steadily and working out every problem. By the time the exam was over, she was sure enough to have good grades, which was confirmed the next day by an A. At that time Amellia finally realized the power of belief and perseverance.
