安徽六校教育研究會2023-2024學年高三上學期入學素質(zhì)測試英語試題（含解析無聽力音頻有聽力原文）

第第頁安徽六校教育研究會2023-2024學年高三上學期入學素質(zhì)測試英語試題（含解析，無聽力音頻有聽力原文）安徽六校教育研究會2024屆高三年級入學素質(zhì)測試

英語試題

2023.8

注意事項:

1.本試卷由四個部分組成。其中第一、二部分和第三部分的第一節(jié)為選擇題;第三部分的第二節(jié)和第四部分為非選擇題。共10頁、150分。

2.全部答案在答題卡上相應區(qū)城內(nèi)完成,在本試卷上作答無效。選擇題請使用2B鉛筆填涂,非選擇題請使用0.5毫米黑色簽字筆作答。要求字體工整、筆跡清晰。

3.請在答題卡規(guī)定的地方填寫好個人信息,并認真核對答題卡.上所粘貼的條形碼是否與本人的信息一致。

4.考試結(jié)束后,將本試卷和答題卡一并交回。

第一部分聽力(共兩節(jié),滿分30分)

做題時,請先將答案標在試卷上。錄音內(nèi)容結(jié)束后,你將有兩分鐘的時間將試卷上的答案轉(zhuǎn)涂到答題下上。

第一節(jié)(共5小題;每小題1.5分,滿分7.5分)

聽下面5段對話。每段對話后有一個小題，從題中所給的A、B、C六個選項中選出最佳選項。聽完每段對話后,你都有10秒鐘的時間來回答有關(guān)小題和閱讀下一小題。每段對話僅讀一遍。

1.Whatwillthewomandofortheman

A.Repairhisbike.B.Drivehimhome.C.Lendhimsomecash.

2.Howdidthemanfeelinthewaterbefore10yearsold

A.Frightened.B.Nervous.C.Relaxed.

3.Whatdidthemanvolunteertodo

A.Lookafterhisparents.

B.Payavisittohisgrandfather.

C.Takehisbrothertothemuseum.

4.Whatmaythewomanadvisethemantodo

A.CheckBuildingCforhisbooks.

B.Searchseverallibrariesforhisessay.

C.ChooseChinesemedicineashistopic.

5.Whydoesthemansuggestthewomantryswimming

A.Sheswimsverywell.

B.Swimmingkeepsherslim.

C.'1hcgymdocsherlessgood.

第二節(jié)(共15小題;每小題1.5分,滿分22.5分)

聽下面5段對話或獨白。每段對話或獨白后有幾個小題.從題中所給的A、B、C三個選項中選出最住選項。聽每段對話或獨白前，你將有時間閱讀各個小題,每小題5秒鐘;聽完后，各小題將給出5秒鐘的作答時間。每段對話或獨白讀兩遍。

聽下面.段對話,回答第6、7小題。

6.Whatisthemansatisfiedwithabouthisnewphone

A.Itssize.B.Itscamera.C.Itsapps.

7.Whatarethespeakersmainlytalkingabout

A.'Thebrandsofphones.B.Somewaystochat.C.Theman'snewphone.

聽下面一段對話,回答第8.9小題。

8.Whendidthewomangoloseethenewdoctor

A.Acoupleofdaysago.B.Acoupleofweeksago.C.Acoupleofmonthsago.

9.Whatdoesthewomansayaboutthenewdoctor

A.Hecaresabouthispatients.

B.Hedislikeslisteningtoothers.

C.Heisolderthanthelastdoctor.

聽下面段對話,回答第10-12小題。

10.Whatistherelationshipbetweenthespeakers

A.Bossandsecretary.B.Librarianandstudent.C.Salesmanandcustomer.

11.WhydoesthewomanorderTheMysteryoftheColdenIdol

A.Sheneedstocopyit.B.Shewantsitasagift.C.Herbirthdayiscoming.

12.Howwillthewomangetthebookordered

A.Bypayingtheshippingcost.B.Bypayinginfullnow.C.Bypayinghalfthepriceofit.

聽下面.段對話，回答第13-16小題。

13.Wheredoestheconversationlakeplace

A.Inanoffice.B.Inahotel.C.Onthephone.

14.Whoisresponsibleforthejobadvertisement

A.Themanager.B.Thechef.C.Thewoman.

15.Howmuchcanawaiterearnforanhour'swork

A.5.50.B.7.70.C.11.02.

16.Whatcanawaitergetfromthejob

A.Abreakfortwohours.B.Amealfreeofcharge.C.Freeaccommodation.

聽下面一段獨白，回答第17-20小題。

17.Whywastheoldopen-airpoolclosed

A.Foritssafetyproblems.B.Foritshighbudget.C.Foritsbadmanagement.

18.Whatisthelocalpress'sworryaboutthenewswimmingpool

A.Itmaylackenoughroom.B.Itsstylemaynotfitwell.C.Itdoesn'townarecyclingsystem.

19.WhatcanpeopledoonJune15

A.Declarethepoolopen.B.Seefamoussculptures.C.Havesomesnacks.

20.Whatdoesthespeakerintendtodo

A.Announcetheopeningceremonyofapool..

B.Attractaudiencetotheopeningceremony.

C.Callonpeopletotakepartinthecompetition.

第二部分閱讀(共兩節(jié),滿分50分)

第一節(jié)(共15小題;每小題2.5分,滿分37.5分)

閱讀下列短文,從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項中選出最佳選項。

A

TopOnlineCollegeCoursesandClasses

ResearchforClassroomLearning

UtahStateUniversity

Taughtby:ProfessorNickEastmond

CourseDescription:Inthisonlinecourseoneducation，ProfessorNickEastmondinstructsclassroomteachershowtodesignandcarryoutresearchusingamethodcalledCuidedDesign,whichencouragesstudentsloreadspecificpiecesofcontent,applywhattheylearnedfromthatcontenttoreal-worldproblemsandassesstheirlearningabilitiesbythemselves.YoumusthaveAdobeFlashPlayer9totakethiscourse.

CreoleLanguageandCulture

UniversityofNotreDame

Taughtby:KarenRichman

CourseDescription:ThisreadingonlinecourseencouragesyoulogetinvolvedevenifyouhavenopreciousexperiencewithCreolelanguageorculturesinceitisdesignedtoimproveyourCreolewritingandreadingskills,withspecificemphasisongrammarandphonetictechniques.However，youshouldbepreparedtocompleteweeklyquizzes，take-homeessays,amid-termandafinalexam.

MobileSoftwareEngineering

HarvardUniversity

Taughtby:DavidJ.Malan

CourseDescription:ThiscomputerengineeringonlinecourseteachesyouhowtodesignwebandmobileappsbyreviewingcodinglanguagessuchasITMI.5,PIIPandJavaScript.Structurally，Malan'scourseiscomposedofvideolecturesandsupplementary(補充的)classmaterialspresentedasPDF'filesonthecourse'swebpage.YoushouldalsobepreparedtocompleteprojectssuchasindependentlydevelopingIOSappsormobilewebapps.

ArtificialIntelligence

UMassBoston

Taughtby:ProfessorWeiDing

CourseDescription:Thisintroductorycomputerscienceonlinecoursewillexposeyoutothetechniquesofartificialintelligenceincomputers.Throughthisclass,youwillgainafoundationalunderstandingofhowsearchmethodsandassociativenetworksareusedtosolvepracticalproblems.Additionally,youwilllearnhowtoprogramapplicationsusingtheLISPlanguage.

21.WhatcanResearchforClassroomLearninghelpateacherdointheclass

A.Evaluateself-learningabilities.B.Readspecificpassages.

C.Improveleachingefficiency.D.Solvethereal-worldproblems.

22.Whichcourserequiresstudentstolakeregulartests

A.CreoleLanguageandCulture.B.MobileSoftwareEngineering.

C.ArtificialIntelligence.D.ResearchforClassroomLearning.

23.Whatdothelasttwocourseshaveincommon

A.Theyconsistofvideolectures.

B.Theyareonlinecomputersciencecourses.

C.Theyusethesameprogramminglanguage.

D.Theyofferclassmaterialsonthecourse'swebpage.

B

What'sthefirstthingthatpopsintoyourmindwhenyouthinkofwheatstrawMostpeoplewouldprobablyjustseeitasapileofwasteinafarmer'sfield.However,WuCui,anintangibleculturalinheritor,canturnthestrawleftoverfromharvestedwhealintobeautifulandeye-catchingfunctionalartworks.

Theearlieststraw-weaving(草編的)productswerediscoveredatHemuduCulturalRuins,aNeolithicculturalsitelocatedineasternChina'sZhejiangprovince.TheBookofRites,oneoftheclassicalworksofConfucianism，alsorecordsthattherewerealreadymatsmadeofcattailgrassandprofessionalstraw-weavingcraftsmenduringtheZhouDynasty.

Strawweavingisamethodofmanufacturingdailyitemsorartworks.Iwaslistedasanationalintangibleculturalheritagein2023.

Wuexplainstheprocessofstrawweaving:selectionofmaterialsisthefirststepofacomplicated,time-consumingandlaborintensiveprocessthatcantakeweeks,orevenmonths,tocomplete.Youneedtosketchthepieceonpaper,whichrequiresdrawingskills.Nextcomesweaving,shapingandpreservingofthework.Evenbyfinishingthatprocess,itdoesnotmeanthatyouwillalwayscreateagoodpieceofwork，andthehardestpartistomakeitlifelike.

Inthepast,wovenstrawitemscouldbefoundalmostineveryhouseholdinthecountryside,suchasstrawhatsandstrawshoes,becausetheywerepracticalineverydaylife.Butduetotheimpactofindustrialization，manufacturedgoodshavereplacedsuchproducts，whichyieldlowprofits,andthereareonlyabout100individualsengagingintheworkacrossthecountry."Theworldhaschanged,andcraftsmenneedtotranscendpracticalityandpursuethebeautyandartistryofstrawculturetohelpthecraftsurviveandthrive,"Wusays.

Fromherperspective,strawweavingshouldrespondtopeople'sneedsandpreferences,whilestilldrawinginspirationfromtraditionalculture.“Craftspeopleshouldmakeagreatefforttograspthetrendsandopportunitiesofthetimestocreatenewandrelevantproducts,"shesays.Whenaskedaboutherplans,Wusaysshewantstodigdeeperintolocaltraditionalcultureandcreateculturalcreativeproductsbydevelopingthestraw-weavingtechnique.

24.Whatdoesparagraph2mainlytellusaboutstraw-weavingproducts

A.Theirmajoruses.B.Theirculturalvalue.

C.Theirhistoricorigins.D.'Theirmanufacturingprocess.

25.Whichisthetoughestpartforstraw-weavingcraftsmenaccordingtoWuCui

A.Makingtheartworksvivid.B.Drawingsketchesonpaper.

C.Selectingsuitablematerials.D.Preservingfinishedproducts.

26.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“transcend"inparagraph5probablymean

A.Relyon.B.Gobeyond.C.Castaway.D.Turnto.

27.WhatcanwelearnfromWuCui'sopinionaccordingtothelastparagraph

A.Straw-weavingproductsareoutoffavorwithcustomers.

B.Pursuingfashionshouldbethefirstpriorityforcraftspeople.

C.Localpeoplebenefitalotfromthestraw-weavingtechniques.

D.Craftsmenshouldinnovatethecraftbasedontraditionalculture.

C

Beneathacastleof80-foocliffsisa3-milestretchofsandandtidepoolsaCaliforniatourismposterifthereeverwasone.Nothingdisturbstheperfect,sunnyview,exceptonceyounoticethemmicro-plasticparticles.Butyouhavetolookcloseonyourhandsandkneesclosetoseeone.Andonceyoudo，youseeanotherandanothersomanythatyoumaynotthinkofthis,oranybeach,thesamewayagain.Thesetinypre-productionplasticballsthatmanufacturersmeltdowntoformeverythinghavebeenescapingfactories,containerships,trains,trucks-andpublicnoticefordecades.

The2-to-3-millimeter,multicoloredballsareasubset(子集)ofmicro-plasticplasticparticleslessthan5millimetersinsize.Microplasticparticlesaccumulatewherewatertakesthem,andthey'vebeenfoundonshorelinesofeverycontinent.

Dr.McReynoldsisanenvironmentalscientistwho'snowjoinedaglobalmovementstudyingtheirtrailintotheenvironment.Establishingabaselinecountofthepresenceofmicro-plasticparticlesand,morebroadly,anymicro-plasticsisthefocusofDr.McReynolds'scientificstudyhere.Chartingthecount,notingtide,current,andweatherconditionswillshowifamountsareincreasing，andperhapsatwhatrateandwhy.Thatknowledge,hesays,caninformsolutionstoplasticpollutionsuchasregulationoftheiruse.

“WhatareyoudoingPickinguptrash”asksasteadystreamofbeachwalkerswheneverDr.McReynolds'crewwalksontothebeachandsetsupequipment.ThesearcteachablemomentsforDr.McReynolds.

Onerecentmorninghetoldsomebeachwalkershowmicro-plasticparticlesarebelievedtoabsorbtoxicchemicals,andbecausetheyresemblefisheggsareeatenbyfishandbirdsandenterthefoodchain.Almostrightontime,aseagullhoppeduptoaplastic-coatedphotoofmicro-plasticparticlesandhungrilypecked(啄食)atit.

WillhisworkhelpsavetheworldDr.McReynoldswavesafingeratthatidea,“Iwon'teverusethatword--Iwon'tsavetheworldfromthispollutionproblem.Protectit,yes.Wewanttotakecareofit.”

28.Whatdoweknowaboutmicro-plasticparticlesfromparagraph1

A.Theyaretoosmalltobeseen.B.'Theyareproductsofplasticballs.

C.Theyhavebeenignoredforlong.D.Theycanbemadeintoalmosteverything.

29.WhatdoesDr.McReynoldsfocusoninhisstudy

A.Classifyingplasticparticlesintosubsets.B.Findingsolutionsloplasticpollution.

C.Chartingthetidesandcurrentsofoceans.D.Creatingadatacollectionformicro-plastics.

30.Whatdoesaseagull'speckingatthepictureprove

A.Theinterestingteachablemoments.B.Theharmfuleffectofmicro-plasticparticles.

C.Thespreadofpoisonouschemicals.D.Thebeautyofthephotoofmicro-plasticparticles.

31.WhatdoesDr.McReynoldsexpectofhiswork

A.Toeducatethepublic.B.Toprovidesolutions.

C.Topreservetheearth.D.Tosavetheworld.

D

AteamofresearchersatETIIZurichhastheperfectlong-lastingsolutiontoourfogproblem.Theyhavedevelopedaverythinandgold-basedtransparentcoating(涂層)thatcanconvertsunlightintoheat,whichcanbeappliedtoglassesandothersurfaceslopreventthemfromfogging.

Thespecialcoatingisdevelopedusingtitaniumoxide(二氧化鈦)andgoldparticles.Itselectivelyabsorbsinfraredradiations(紅外線照射)fromthesunlightandcreatesaheatingeffectthatispowerfulenoughtokeepfogawayfromthesurfaceofanobject.'Thecoatingbasicallyemploysheattostopfogging.Thecoatingabsorbsalargepartoftheinfraredradiation,whichcausesittoheatupbyupto8°C.

Previously,productslikeanti-foggingsprayscreateaverythinfilmofwateronthesurfacetoremovefog.Theproblemwithsuchsurfacesispollution.Alongwithwater,thespraysalsoattractdirt，dust,oil,andvariousotherdirtysubstances,andjustalittledirtonthesurfacemakesituseless.However,thenewcoatingrepels(排斥)water.Furthermore,thecoatingissignificantlythinner,whichmakesitmoretransparentaswellasflexible.Itisheatedpassivelyandrequires,duringdaytime,noadditionalenergysource.

Goldmightbeexpensive,buttheresearchersstressthattheircoatingrequiressolittlethatthematerialcostsremainlow.Theircoatingisproducedwithstandardizedandreadilyscalablemethods,allcost-effectively.However,althoughthisproductcanworkatverylowlevelsofsolarirradiation,itdoesrelyonacertainamountoflight.

Theresearcherswilldevelopthecoatingfurtherforotherapplications.Intheprocess,theywillexaminewhetherothermetalsworkjustaswellasgold.Thereisnoneedlofear,however,thiswouldcauseacarorabuildinglohealupmoreinthesummer.'Theresearchershavefiledapatent.Hopefully,thisgroundbreakingproductwillsoonbeavailableonthemarket.

32.Howdoesthenewcoatingworktoremovefog

A.Byreflectingpartofsunlightselectively

B.Byabsorbinginfraredradiationstoheatthecoating.

C.Bycreatingathinfilmofwateronthesurface.

D.Bykeepingcoolairawayfromtheobject.

33.Whydoestheauthormentionpreviousanti-foggingproducts

A.Tostresstheadvantagesofthenewcoaling.

B.Tointroducetheinspirationbehindthenewcoating.

C.Toprovethedifficultyofcreatingantifoggingproducts.

D.Toexplainthereasonfortheanti-foggingcoatingbeingpopular.

34.Whatdotheresearchersplantodonext

A.Applyforapatentfortheinvention.

B.Seekacheapermaterialasanalternativetogold.

C.Exploretheenvironmentalimpactofthecoaling.

D.Developtheproductformorepracticaluses.

35.Whatdocsthispassagemainlytellus

A.Anewcoalingwhichcanhealyouupinfoggydays.

B.Anewtechnologywhichwillarisewithadvantagesanddisadvantages.

C.Anewsolutionwhichcanpreventyourglassesfromfogging.

D.Anewapproachwhichcanbeappliedtoabsorbingthesunlight.

第二節(jié)(共5小題;每小題2.5分,滿分12.5分)

閱讀下面短文,從短文后的選項中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項。選項中有兩項為多余選項。

GettingYourKidstoHaveanAppetiteforSports

Beingactiveandmovingissoimportantathingforallofus,especiallyforchildren.36

Nevertheless,someparentsfeelupsetwhentheyseetheirchilddoesn'tshowinterestinsports.Sohowcanyouencouragethemtohaveago

Itissuchagoodideatoleadbyexampleasaparent.Thisistrueforavarietyofaspects，especiallywhenchildrenareunwillingtogetinvolvedinsport.37Soyouneedtobesomeonewhoisinterestedandactive,ifyouwantanyhopeofthemdoingsotoo.Ifyoulayonthecouchalldaythentheywilljustlearntodothattoo.

38Whiletheycanchoosewhotheywanttosupport,seeingyourenthusiasmforaparticularplayerorteamcanbejustwhatisneededtostarttheirjourney.Youcanlookforateamuniformstoretogetthemasportsshirtwiththeirnameonforexample,aswellasseetheteamplayatoneofheirgames.39

Ifsomethingisdull,itwillbehardforchildrentobeenthusiasticaboutit.Thiswillmakethemturntheirbackstoit,whichisnotagoodthingforlaterinlife.Iftheyshowparticularskillandlearntoplaysport,thenmorepracticeandtrainingcancomein.40Whentheycanenjoywhattheydo,theywillonlyseeitassomethingfuntodo,ratherthanwhatweasadultsmightseeitas，suchasachoretoburcalories.

Whateversportyourchildchoosestoplay,encouragethemandmakeitfun,andthenitwillbesomethingthattheywillwantlocarryondoingastheygoabouttherestoftheirlives.

A.Theywon'tbeinterestedinsportsifyou'renot.

B.Shareyourenthusiasmanditwillhelptofuelapassion.

C.Herearesomeothertipsthatyouwouldsharewiththem.

D.Sothinkaboutwaysthatcangetthemtobeactiveinthesports.

E.Howactiveachildiswillimpactheiroverallhealthandlearning.

F.Apartfromleadingbyexample,youcouldalsoshareyourfavoriteteam.

G.However,themainmessageofinvolvingchildreninsportistokeepitfun.

第三部分語言知識運用(共兩節(jié),滿分30分)

第一節(jié)(共15小題;每小題1分,滿分15分)

閱讀下面短文,從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項中選出可以填入空白處的最住選項。

Iwaswithmyfatherataclinicnearhishomeforaroutinebloodtest.Anelderlywomancameinandsatona41roomchair.Shesettledintotheseatoppositemydadandsmiledathimandhesmiledback42.Hewas77yearsoldandhadbeenlivingwithAlzheimerdiseaseforseveralyears.It'sadiseasethat43yourlovedones,slowly,daybydayandthememorylossispainfuland44

Afterawhile，shestartedsingingthetuneMyHeartWillGoOn.SinceAlzheimerdiseasealsohasa(n)45todamageaperson'spatience,Icouldn'thelpthinkingthatthislittlewomanwasplayingwithfire.Hersingingbegangently.IglancedatDadtoseehis46.Hissmilewasgone,andhewas47rightather.Icouldn'treadhisexpressioninitially,butitseemedtobesomethinglike48Iwonderedifhewaslostsomewhereinhismemory,ormaybehewastryingtofigureoutwhetherthiswassomeoneheshould49Slowly,thewoman'ssinginggotlouderandhereyesclosedwith50NowDadlookedalittleshocked.Still,Iwatchednervously,noticingthe51ofanangryoutburstandwasconsideringmyoptionsonhowbest

to52in.Instead,hisfacechanged,andthetension53inhiseyes.Henolongerlookedconfused.

Whenhersongendedandthewaitingroombecame54,thewomanopenedhereyes.Mydadwasstilllookingdirectlyather.“Thatwasbeautiful,"hesaid.55shesmiledandsaid,“Thankyou.”

41.A.sittingB.livingC.waitingD.consulting

42.A.secretlyB.gratefullyC.slightlyD.coldly

43.A.stealsB.destroysC.cheatsD.panics

44.A.limitedB.regularC.temporaryD.merciless

45.A.expectationB.tendencyC.standardD.symbol

46.A.performanceB.responseC.gestureD.message

47.A.rushingB.laughingC.pointingD.staring

48.A.confusionB.desperationC.blanknessD.caution

49.A.worryaboutB.hearofC.datewithD.lookafter

50.A.purposeB.strengthC.emotionD.respect

51.A.instructionB.outcomeC.effectD.possibility

52.A.joinB.cheekC.give.D.step

53.A.increasedB.filledC.easedD.divided

54.A.delightfulB.silentC.brightD.harmonious

55.A.InreturnB.InturnC.InreliefD.Inpublic

第二節(jié)(共10小題;每小題1.5分,滿分15分)

閱讀下面短文,在空白處填入1個適當?shù)膯卧~或括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。

Deepinthejungle，theMayabuiltanempire.Andnow，scientistsareunlockingmoresecretsaboutthisancientcivilizationwiththediscoveryof417cities56(date)backto2,000yearsago,saidTheWashingtonPost.

Thecities57(find)tobeconnectedby110miles(177kilometers)of“highways"inMay,whichconsistedofthe“world'sfirsteverextensivesystemofhighways".'The“highways"，_58

Reutersreported,werespaciousroadways59(make)instone.Plus,scientistsalsofoundpyramids,ballgamecourtsandwaterengineering,60(include)damsandirrigationcanals.

TheMayacivilizationwas“far61(advanced)thanwethought"，notedTheWashingtonPost.Asoneofthegreatest62(civilization)oftheWesternHemisphere,theMayafirstestablishedsettlementsaround1，800BCE.TheirempirespannedpartsofMexicoandseveralcountriesinCentralAmerica,notedthewebsiteHistoryChannel.PeoplelongbelievedthattheMayawerestilljusthunter-gatherers.63thenewfindingsshowedthattheywerealreadybusycreatingcitiesinworldhistoryatthetime,CNNreported.Theydidallthisinajungleenvironment,whichisrareandimpressive.Theyhadtoclearrainforestareas64(farm)andbuiltlargeundergroundreservoirstostorerainwater.However，by900BCE，manyMayacitieswereabandoned,calling65endtotheempire.

第四部分寫作(共兩節(jié),滿分40分)

第一節(jié)(滿分15分)

假定你是李華,某用際學校學生會主席。你校學生會止在向全體學生征集以“中國科學家精神”(TheSpiritofChineseScientists)為主題的短視頻。請你用英文擬一則征稿啟事,內(nèi)容包括:

1.活動目的;

2.作品要求;

3.投稿方式及截止時間。

注意:

1.寫作詞數(shù)應為80左右;

2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應位置作答。

ContributionsWanted

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Students'Union

第二節(jié)(滿分25分)

閱讀下面材料,根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段,使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短義。

Atthetablesatmyfour-year-oldsonMatthew,legsswingingintheairandchininhishands.Istaredaimlesslyoutofthewindow,tryingtoignoretheacheinmybelly.“Mama,playwithme”“Nottoday,honey,"Tshookmyhead.Stillrecoveringfromasurgery,Icouldbarelygetoutofbedthesedays.Ihopedforstrengthandhappiness.Butthefutureseemedsohopeless.

Allofasudden,Matthewjumpedupfromhisspotonthekitchenfloor.“Bird!”heshouted,rushingtoourcourtyard.Sureenough,therewasawhitedoveseatedinarubbertree.Itsatthereforafewmoments,andthenflewaway.Strange,I'dneverseenoneinourneighborhoodbefore.

WhenIdraggedmyselftothekitchenthenextmorning,thedovewasback.Thistimewithamatecarryingtwigs.“Look