湖北孝感市孝感市楚天协作2025-2026学年高二上学期2月期末英语试题
一、听力选择题
1．What is the woman probably doing
A．Shopping online.
B．Repairing a phone.
C．Doing some cleaning.
2．What was the woman dissatisfied with about the new restaurant
A．The food. B．The pricing. C．The location.
3．Why does the woman speak to the man
A．To ask for leave.
B．To express thanks.
C．To get information.
4．When will the man set off today
A．At 6:40 am. B．At 7:40 am. C．At 8:20 am.
5．What are the speakers mainly talking about
A．A market. B．A street. C．A farm.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
6．What does the man advise the woman against doing
A．Taking pictures.
B．Carrying personal items.
C．Getting too close to the artworks.
7．How long will the speakers’ visit last
A．About 2 hours. B．About 4 hours. C．About 6 hours.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
8．Why is Elisa Lowe unavailable
A．Because of a meeting.
B．Because of a wedding.
C．Because of a competition.
9．What will the man help the woman do
A．Improve design skills.
B．Prepare the speech.
C．Contact Sylvia Tee.
10．What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A．Colleagues. B．Family members. C．Teacher and student.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
11．How did the woman know about Alan’s act
A．Through the Internet. B．Through a friend. C．Through a newspaper.
12．Why did Alan start building chairs
A．To decorate his room.
B．To complete a school project.
C．To help people waiting for buses.
13．Where did Alan get the wood he needed
A．From nearby forests. B．From his dad’s factory. C．From construction sites.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
14．How did the woman feel after signing up for the diving course
A．Excited. B．Nervous. C．Regretful.
15．How many days did the woman train in total to pass the tests
A．14. B．16. C．18.
16．Why did the woman fail to get her certificate at first
A．She missed a test.
B．She lacked confidence.
C．She lost her application form.
17．What will the woman probably talk about next
A．Life lessons she learned.
B．Competitions she entered.
C．Training plans she made.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
18．What does the Short Story Review include
A．Works by new writers.
B．Interviews with writers.
C．Information about festivals.
19．What is a requirement for entering the competition
A．Paying a 10 entry fee.
B．Being at least 18 years old.
C．Submitting two short stories.
20．What is the prize for the winner of the competition
A．A trip to the cultural center.
B．An annual book of the society.
C．A chance to publish their own stories.
二、阅读理解
Best Bookshops in the UKBarter Books
Alnwick
Barter Books is one of Britain’s largest second-hand bookstores with a collection of 350,000 pre-loved beauties. It’s housed in a former railway station and you’ll see nods to that history everywhere — the most appealing are the mini trains running on tracks above the bookshelves. There’s also a trading system, so you can bring your old books for a chance to trade them in for credits to spend in the store. Hatchards
London
This five-floor bookshop, established in 1797, is the oldest in the capital. It draws visiting authors from Charles Cumming to Sofia Coppola — which means lots of signed copies of your favourite stories. Owing to being mentioned in Mrs Dalloway, it’s a favourite among Virginia Woolf fans. The Mainstreet Trading Company
St Boswells
The husband-and-wife team Rosamund and Bill de la Hey have transformed this former auction house (拍卖行) into a place for book lovers. It hosts events with star writers regularly — former guests have included Michael Morpurgo and Margaret Atwood. Here younger readers can discover the Book Burrows: two cupboards were changed into listening rooms where audiobooks (有声读物) are played. Much Ado Books
Alfriston
This bookshop is run by old book enthusiasts Cate Olsen and Nash Robbins, who love to champion new talent and introduce readers to forgotten classics. As well as a two-floor shop, there’s a large room with workshops offering everything from sculpting to woodworking.
21．What is special about Barter Books
A．It exhibits rare train models. B．It has a book exchange system.
C．It hosts events with well-known writers. D．It is the oldest second-hand bookstore.
22．Which bookshop is most attractive to Virginia Woolf fans
A．Hatchards. B．Barter Books.
C．Much Ado Books. D．The Mainstreet Trading Company.
23．Where is the bookshop offering workshops
A．In London. B．In Alnwick.
C．In St Boswells. D．In Alfriston.
After a brief stop in Istanbul, I found myself traveling alone through the Maldives. It was the last stop: Velaa Private Island, a palm-covered (长满棕榈树的) dot of sand in the middle of the impossibly blue Indian ocean.
The thing everybody knows about the Maldives is the over-water bungalows (平房). They are just as gorgeous as they look in photos — fantastic in design and breathtaking in view. My room had a wall of windows that opened onto a private deck (露台), overlooking the ocean, the calm and blue sea stretching into the horizon (地平线).
One of the underrated joys of traveling alone is doing exactly what you want, whenever you want. I am absolutely one of those people who can sit and“do nothing” on vacation for a week, supposing I have a comfortable chair and a good book — or seven. But this dreamlike place has a way of drawing you outside. I decided to try a Jet Ski trip. The scenery was picturesque, with dolphins and rainbows and water so blue it looked digitally edited.
Ocean life is a highlight of a trip to the Maldives, and many of the eco-friendlier resorts have strong preservation programs. Remote Lands can set up a custom experience that includes sea turtle rehabilitation and manta ray research with a biologist. There are plenty of ways to feel like an explorer, not just a guest.
One of the most surprising highlights of the trip was an encounter with a doctor visiting from India. We talked about my energy, my sleep, my digestion, and the cycles of stress I’d been stuck in. He offered insights into how those things were showing up in my body and gave me small but thoughtful recommendations for rebalancing.
I didn’t leave the Maldives with a suitcase full of souvenirs, but with something far more lasting — a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in years. Sometimes, the best journeys don’t take you to new places — they bring you back to yourself.
24．What does the underlined word “gorgeous” in paragraph 2 probably mean
A．Deeply private. B．Extremely beautiful.
C．Impossibly colorful. D．Surprisingly large.
25．Which of the following impressed the author according to paragraph 3
A．Enjoying a Jet Ski trip.
B．Reading a total of seven books.
C．Playing with dolphins among the waves.
D．Staying completely indoors for relaxation.
26．What does the author say about eco-friendly resorts
A．They avoid contact with wildlife.
B．They focus on recycling programs.
C．They offer guests chances to do research.
D．They provide experimental sites for researchers.
27．What lasting impact did the trip have on the author
A．She became friends with a doctor.
B．She learned how to travel more efficiently.
C．She returned home with a deep sense of calm.
D．She discovered her love for a healthy lifestyle.
Franklin D．Roosevelt hated small talk. He argued that in most conversations of this kind, people never actually listened to what other people said, as if people were reading from a prompt card (提示卡) and politely waiting their turn. To illustrate his point, he would sometimes greet people by saying, “I murdered a huge snake this morning.” Invariably, people nodded, smiled, and carried on as usual. Only once did someone actually listen, and replied, “I’m sure she had it coming.”
Roosevelt no doubt had a point. A lot of the time, people hardly ever listen to what’s going on in a conversation. They focus instead on getting their own response ready. Research proves that good conversations, like a game of catch, are a back-and-forth game. They need a talking-listening ratio (比率) that’s not far from 50:50. When we talk tirelessly, our partner can feel unwanted and unappreciated. When we listen to someone else, we allow them to deal with whatever stresses or bothers them. As such, it builds much deeper relationships with much higher satisfaction.
Listening does not always come easily to people. But there are small tricks you can try. One is to let silence fall. Silence is the space where conversation grows. In the same way the words on this page are defined by the space around them, silence allows our ideas to take shape and drives the conversation forward. Let people say more. Just because someone has stopped talking, it doesn’t mean they’re done communicating. Another helpful habit is asking questions. Don’t plan them in advance or wait for your turn to speak. Ask for more information about something which interests you. Explore the details behind a half-told story. It’s a hard skill to get right, but it gets easier with practice.
When we listen to what other people say, when we read and learn from the world, we become better. As Epictetus, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said, “Nature has given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.”
28．Why did Roosevelt greet people unusually
A．To test their sympathy. B．To evaluate social politeness.
C．To expose their passive listening. D．To avoid exchanging small talk.
29．What leads to strong interpersonal bonds
A．Talking more to show you care.
B．Finding common topics to discuss.
C．Sharing your own experiences regularly.
D．Giving others enough time to express themselves.
30．What does the author suggest about silence in conversation
A．It is a sign of disinterest.
B．It allows thoughts to develop.
C．It means the talk is about to end.
D．It brings reflective answers to questions.
31．What is the most suitable title for the text
A．Why We Fail to Listen
B．How to Have a Good Conversation
C．Beyond Hearing: The Art of Listening
D．Conversations: More Than Just Talking
The town of Salem, in New Jersey, is tied to a rather legendary tale (故事) where tomatoes were once seen as “poison apples”. While the tale may not be entirely true, it shows how tomatoes became a beloved food.
The Aztecs are credited with growing, consuming, and naming the tomato, and the fruit was later brought to Europe by Spanish and Portuguese colonists (殖民者) in the 16th century. Tomatoes spread slowly in Europe because many Europeans avoided the color red, which was regarded as morally wrong.
By the 18th century, the tomato was nicknamed the “poison apple” because rich people in Europe and America would fall ill or die after consuming it. But it wasn’t the consumption of the tomato that led to their illness or death. Instead, it was the plates the wealthy used to dine on, which contained lead. When the acid (酸)in tomatoes reacted with the lead, it caused poisoning. This made people think tomatoes were poisonous.
In the late 18th century, people in America were growing tomatoes out of curiosity, not eating them. Legend has it that one man helped change public opinion— Robert Gibbon Johnson of Salem, New Jersey, who stood on Salem’s courthouse (法院) steps in 1820, eating a basket of tomatoes for all the public to see. When he didn’t die of poison, word spread that tomatoes were safe to eat. However, no record of Johnson’s actions has ever been found.
Immigration to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries— particularly Italians, who brought the pizza with them— contributed to the eventual consumption of tomatoes. By the 1830s, tomato recipes became popular in America. The legend of Johnson grew, especially after a 1949 radio show reenacted (重演) his brave act. For years, Salem even held a Tomato Festival celebrating the story. The tomato’s journey— from“poison apples” to kitchen favorite— shows how legend and facts can shape what we eat.
32．What’s the truth behind the nickname “poison apples”
A．A legend spread this claim.
B．Europeans disliked the color red.
C．The Aztecs considered them as harmful.
D．Their reacting with the lead led to poisoning.
33．What did Johnson do to change public views on tomatoes according to legend
A．He developed a new variety of tomatoes.
B．He ate tomatoes in public to show they were safe.
C．He took legal action against those spreading lies.
D．He persuaded the government to support tomatoes.
34．What played a significant role in popularizing tomatoes in America
A．Italian immigrants introducing pizza.
B．Salem holding the Tomato Festival yearly.
C．Robert Gibbon Johnson’s real recorded action.
D．People viewing them as both fruits and vegetables.
35．What is the author’s purpose in writing this text
A．To present scientific facts about tomatoes.
B．To criticize the European view of tomatoes.
C．To promote the consumption of tomatoes in the U. S.
D．To describe tomatoes’ rise to popularity in the U. S.
Everyone sends texts. It’s simple — one message goes out, and another comes back. 36 They smile, wink (眨眼) and cry. Without much notice, emojis (表情符号) change how messages feel.
Researchers often ignore these tiny images. But Eun Huh from the University of Texas at Austin and her team decided to take a closer look. 37
Think about your last text. Did it have an emoji Most likely it did. Nearly everyone uses them. But emojis aren’t just decorations. They work like tiny signals of emotion and bring life to plain words. 38 The researchers looked at this effect closely. Their analysis showed something surprising. People feel more connected to those who use emojis. It’s not about picking the right emoji. The magic lies in using them at all.
Why do emojis work so well They make conversations feel softer and friendlier. They can help to reduce misunderstandings since tone gets difficult to express over text. They also act like little touches of warmth. 39 Most importantly, they can do what words sometimes can’t show that you care.
40 This one focused on imagined situations. People weren’t texting real friends during the test. The researchers suggest testing real-time chats next. The experts pointed out that this study included mostly U.S.-based participants. Emoji meanings can shift across cultures. What works in one place might not in another. And there’s one more question waiting. What happens when emojis conflict with words Like a smiley face paired with sad news. Future studies might explore those mixed signals.
A．Somewhere in between, emojis appear.
B．That sense of being heard led to stronger friendships.
C．Every study has limitations and this one is no exception.
D．They called them more responsive and the chats felt warmer.
E．A simple heart can completely change the tone of a message.
F．They draw attention and show effort, even in rushed conversations.
G．Her study examined emojis’ role in improving relationship closeness.
三、完形填空
I’d started a new job and decided to say yes to everything I wanted for the next year. My experiment included a broad range of new experiences that I had previously 41 to say yes to— from public speaking opportunities to taking an art class.
In the past, I had many romantic 42 about my future but never put any actual effort into them. Another reason I 43 dreaming to doing was my fear of failure. But through this experiment, I realized that if I didn’t 44 I would still fail by not allowing myself to 45 .
Plus, I came to appreciate how every 46 helped me to better handle future situations. 47 , I once tried to become a project lead. I spent hours researching and 48 my proposal. When I finally got a meeting with the director, I was sure I would be 49 . After I gave my 50 , the director asked me about our 51 and their products, and I went 52 . I had such tunnel vision about our product that I ignored a（n） 53 question I should have been able to easily answer. Needless to say, I did not 54 that project, but I did learn a valuable lesson.
I didn’t end up loving everything I agreed to 55 , but I discovered many things that I did enjoy. Saying yes led me to lessons that made me more successful in my career and happier overall.
41．A．managed B．determined C．hesitated D．proceeded
42．A．concepts B．ideas C．initiatives D．memories
43．A．preferred B．compared C．adjusted D．applied
44．A．make sense B．catch sight C．pay attention D．take action
45．A．move B．return C．grow D．live
46．A．proposal B．failure C．reason D．speech
47．A．Above all B．At first C．For instance D．In addition
48．A．preparing B．accepting C．understanding D．sending
49．A．greeted B．invited C．found D．chosen
50．A．permission B．presentation C．performance D．conclusion
51．A．customers B．instructors C．members D．competitors
52．A．mature B．silent C．sleepy D．calm
53．A．simple B．similar C．funny D．open
54．A．anticipate B．deny C．land D．review
55．A．try B．supply C．share D．ask
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。
Has anyone ever seen an alien perform comedy Zhang Xingchao has turned this very concept into a reality. 56 28-year-old comedian rose to fame almost overnight, thanks 57 his “alien comedy” (外星人喜剧) style on the popular show Amazing Night 2. On the show, Zhang teamed up with comedian Li Jiacheng 58 (form) the duo Waixingcong (“Two Aliens”), triggering a wave of 59 netizens have called “alien comedy”.
His 14-minute sketch (小品), “Gomoku (五子棋) with Skills”, 60 (spread) widely across the internet since its release. What fascinated the audience was not a conventional plot but Zhang’s his unusual acting skill. Unlike most comedians who rely on traditional techniques, he created humor 61 (use) illogical movements and absurd situations, which both confused and delighted audiences.
Born in Anhui in 1997, Zhang had tried various jobs before finding his true passion. It was these experiences 62 perhaps fueled his unique observational humor, 63 (ultimate) leading him to comedy. The sketch “Gomoku with Skills” drove him to gain national 64 (recognize) almost instantly, winning audiences over with a unique style full of imagination, absurdity and surprises.
Zhang’s journey demonstrates that innovation can indeed shine in 65 (expected) ways.
五、书信写作
66．假设你所在的城市正在创建全国文明城市。为响应号召，你校将举办主题为“共参与，才美丽”（Together We Participate, Together We Shine）的英语演讲比赛。请你写一篇英语演讲稿参加比赛。内容包括：
1. 对主题的理解；
2. 提出具体倡议（至少两点）；
3. 发出号召，表达信心。
注意：
1. 词数80词左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡上的相应位置作答；
3. 发言稿开头和结尾已给出，无需抄在答题卡上，不计入总词数。
Together We Participate, Together We Shine
Good morning, everyone!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for listening.
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。
“Class, we have an exciting project to talk about,” Mrs. Garcia said,“Our school is going to raise money for the big spring trip. And the third and fourth grades are going to put on a talent show!”
All the kids made sounds as if they thought a talent show was exciting news, except me. After school, I thought about the talent show and about me being the only one without any talents. I went to my mom and asked for her advice.
“Let’s see. You’ re good at math, obviously. You’re really good at having new ideas. And you ask the most interesting questions,” she said. “Mom,” I reminded her. “None of these can be performed on a stage. ” In the following days, I tried everything for the show but failed.
When the final rehearsal (排练) began, I walked into the hall and tried to hide, but Mrs. Garcia saw me. She whispered in Mrs. Ricc’s car, who nodded in agreement, and then called me over. “Clementine, you can keep us company during the rehearsal,” she said. So I had to sit between Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Garcia, right there at the side of the stage where all the kids could see me and know that I had no talent.
The first act was called Cartwheelers. Twelve kids lined up, six on each side of the stage. When I noticed there were no safety mats (垫子), I ran into the gym, pulled out a mat, and placed it on the floor in front of the stage. Then I got some kids to help me. Pretty soon, we had all the mats piled up (堆起). Mrs. Rice gave me a thumbs-up. I didn’t even get a chance to sit down again for the rest of the afternoon because everybody needed my help for something. Finally, after everyone practiced their acts, I went over to Mrs. Rice, who showed me her watch and then called out. “Take your places, everyone. Five minutes to ShowTime!”
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。
Just then, Mrs. Garcia got a phone call — her daughter was having a baby. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the end, when Mrs. Rice went onstage to thank everyone, I thought my job was done — until she said my name. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
参考答案
题号 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
答案 A B C B A C B B C A
题号 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
答案 B C C A C B A A B C
题号 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
答案 B A D B A C C C D B
题号 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
答案 C D B A D A G E F C
题号 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
答案 C B A D C B C A D B
题号 51 52 53 54 55
答案 D B A C A
1．A
【原文】M: Ann, you’ve been looking at your phone for an hour.
W: Well, I’m thinking of buying a pair of sports shoes. Do you think these will look good on me
M: Hmm, let me see... Yeah, they look pretty stylish.
2．B
【原文】M: Lisa, have you tried the new restaurant in town
W: Yes, I went there yesterday. The place felt warm and friendly. I had the tomato soup and it was tasty. The only thing is, the prices were a bit high.
3．C
【原文】W: Hello, I heard you’re having a huge sale at your store this weekend. Is it true
M: Yes, ma’am, that’s correct. Everything is 20% off, including the latest arrivals. Plus, if you buy two items, you’ll get an additional 40% discount on the third.
4．B
【原文】M: I have to leave early today — Main Street is closed.
W: If you take John Avenue, it’ll add about 15 minutes to your trip. You’ll be late if you leave at 8 am.
M: I’ll leave 20 minutes earlier than that.
5．A
【原文】W: So it’s confirmed that the Farmers’ Market is happening this Sunday
M: Yep, from 8 am until 2 pm on Broad Street. There’ll be plenty of local farmers selling fresh produce, handmade items, and delicious homemade food.
W: Wow, I can’t wait.
6．C 7．B
【原文】M: Alright, Ann, before we go into the museum, I just need to give you a few reminders. Don’t touch any of the artworks, don’t get too close, and be mindful of your clothes and bags while you’re walking around.
W: OK, Dad. Can I take pictures
M: Yes, photography is allowed, but please turn off your flash.
W: No problem. Can we go inside now
M: Well, it’s almost 1 pm now and we’ll stay until the museum closes at 5 pm. Also, there’ll be a special exhibition at 2 pm that will last about an hour. Now let’s go!
8．B 9．C 10．A
【原文】M: Brittany, are you still planning the design conference for the company
W: Yes, but I’ve never done anything like this before, and I can’t find an opening speaker.
M: Don’t worry. That’s easy! Have you talked to Elisa Lowe She’s an expert in user-centered design.
W: Yes, but she’ll be out of the office that day for her son’s wedding.
M: Well, did you hear that we recently hired Sylvia Tee as head of product design She has a lot of great experience.
W: Oh, I didn’t know she joined the team. I heard her speak at a networking event — she was great.
M: Yeah. I’ve known her since school, so I’ll call her to help you out.
11．B 12．C 13．C
【原文】M: Fiona, have you seen the report online about Alan building chairs for bus stops
W: No, I haven’t, but Jasmine told me about it this morning, and she’s planning to join him. Actually, I’m wondering how he came up with such a great idea.
M: Well, while he was walking down the street, he saw a woman sitting on the ground at a bus stop, so he wanted to do something about it. Then he figured he could build some chairs.
W: I mean, we’ve all seen people waiting for buses with no place to sit, but Alan actually took action.
M: Yeah, he found leftover wood from nearby construction sites and got to work. His dad used to build houses, so he grew up around tools and knew how to use them. He’s built 40 chairs so far!
W: Wow, 40 chairs That’s truly impressive!
14．A 15．C 16．B 17．A
【原文】M: Ann, you’re a certified diver now, but I remember you were frightened of water.
W: Well, my mom is a diving enthusiast, and she always encouraged me to give it a try. Last winter, I overcame my fear and learned how to swim. After that, I registered for the PADI Diver course. I couldn’t wait to see fish, sharks, dolphins, and all the other sea creatures
M: What was your first diving experience like
W: I was totally unprepared and nearly got cold feet! Fortunately, after four intense days of theory sessions, four days of pool dives, and ten days of open water dives, I successfully passed all the skill tests.
M: Then you got your certification
W: No, even though I passed all the tests, I still felt unconfident underwater. So my instructor asked me to do more dives before he would submit my papers to PADI for certification.
M: What happened next
W: Last month, I completed three more dives with my instructor and received my certification. I knew if I didn’t give it another shot, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I’ve also realized that going through challenging experiences always brings valuable life lessons...
18．A 19．B 20．C
【原文】M: Founded in 1899, the Short Story Society is one of the most active arts organizations in the area. We publish some great magazines, including the Short Story Review. This magazine features short stories by some of Britain’s top writers, and offers opportunities to new writers to get their works published. We also have the Short Story News. This one includes interviews with writers and is packed with information about competitions, festivals and the writing scene in general. In addition, we run the National Short Story Competition. It’s open to anyone aged 18 and older. We accept short stories on any topic, but they should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words long. There’s no entry fee for society members, but non-members pay a 5 fee. The competition runs from April to October every year. The top 10 entries will appear in the society’s annual book of short stories. And the winner will receive a publishing contract to produce their own short story collection.
56．The 57．to 58．to form 59．what 60．has spread 61．using 62．that 63．ultimately 64．recognition 65．unexpected
66．例文：
Together We Participate, Together We Shine
Good morning, everyone!
It’s my privilege to stand here to deliver the speech. As far as I’m concerned, this theme tells us a simple truth: our city’s beauty depends on everyone’s effort. It is our daily small acts that truly make a difference and make our city a better place.
So, what can we do First, considering the importance of a clean environment, let’s protect public spaces by disposing of trash properly and encouraging others to do the same. Second, let’s practice daily courtesy, such as queuing patiently and smiling at neighbors, because these acts build a harmonious society.
Let’s act now and start from our campus. I firmly believe that when we all participate, our city will shine its brightest.
Thank you for listening.
67．例文
Just then, Mrs. Garcia got a phone call — her daughter was having a baby. After a quick word with Mrs. Rice, she rushed off at lightning speed. Then Mrs. Rice turned to me and said, “Now you have to be my assistant.” And that’s when I realized I didn’t have a worried feeling anymore. Instead, I had a proud feeling, like the sun was rising inside my chest. The feeling stayed with me all through the rest of the show. And no matter what went wrong, Mrs. Rice and I just fixed it. When the last act was over, the audience kept smiling and clapping.
At the end, when Mrs. Rice went onstage to thank everyone, I thought my job was done — until she said my name. I was so surprised that I just stood there, staring. All the third and fourth graders were looking back at me with grateful eyes and big smiles. I smiled back. Then they started clapping, softly at first, but then harder and harder. The applause filled my whole body. It felt like every “you-have-no-talent” thought had just floated away. It felt amazing. Maybe real talent isn’t only what you do onstage — but it’s what you bring to others. Sometimes, your true talent is the one that helps others shine.
