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安徽淮北市第一中学2026届高三下学期周考三英语试题
一、听力选择题
1．Where is the woman possibly
A．In a car. B．In her house. C．In a restaurant.
2．What does the man ask the woman to do
A．Offer her opinion. B．Help him with a project. C．Learn more about technology.
3．When will the man’s flight take off
A．At 11:00 a.m. B．At 11:20 a.m. C．At 1:00 p.m.
4．What is the speakers’ opinion about disabled athletes
A．They are encouraging.
B．They should be respected.
C．They have to be taken good care of.
5．What are the speakers mainly talking about
A．Forest fires. B．Wildlife protection. C．Endangered rainforests.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
6．What does the girl have to do in the fall
A．Begin to work. B．Study abroad. C．Find a house.
7．What will the man do next
A．Read a brochure.
B．Show the girl around the center.
C．Send some materials to the girl.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
8．What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A．Classmates. B．Neighbours. C．Teacher and student.
9．What concerns Daniel
A．His mother was very sick.
B．He may lose the competition.
C．His mother may suffer his practice.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
10．Why does the man congratulate Elena
A．She recently published a book.
B．She raised some money for charity.
C．She started a non-profit organization.
11．What does the man ask Elena to do
A．Help their cause. B．Deliver a speech. C．Seek support from others.
12．What is Elena going to do next
A．Attend a meeting. B．Attract more donors. C．Explore the wetlands.
听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
13．What is the man
A．A designer. B．A host. C．An artist.
14．What was the biggest challenge for Yang Liu when practising bamboo drifting
A．How to keep her balance.
B．How to dance on the bamboo.
C．How to deal with weather changes.
15．Which word can best describe Yang Liu
A．Fortunate. B．Interesting. C．Creative.
16．Why does Yang Liu post videos online
A．To become famous.
B．To promote Chinese culture.
C．To call on more people to join.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
17．What does the speaker focus on
A．Microplastic potential.
B．Microplastic pollution.
C．Microplastic consumption.
18．How did Kieran Cox’s team evaluate the potential consumption of microplastics
A．By analyzing the data.
B．By comparing the impacts.
C．By measuring food samples.
19．What can we learn about the research team led by Kieran Cox
A．They suggest people stop drinking bottled water.
B．They gained comprehensive information of microplastics.
C．They couldn’t explain microplastics in vegetables and fruits.
20．Why does the speaker give the talk
A．To tell us to value the quality of products.
B．To appeal to people to reduce plastic usage.
C．To point out benefits of having organic food.
二、阅读理解
Want to start changing your life Start with these 4 books.
Human Compatible by Stuart Russell
What will the quest for advanced AI mean for humanity Russell, one of the world’s leading researchers in the field, explores the challenge of developing artificial intelligence systems aligned (与……一致) with human values and interests. Get the key ideas on Blinkist in just 22 minutes.
Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
MIT cosmologist (宇宙学家) Max Tegmark takes readers on a mind-expanding journey to imagine what a world dominated by superintelligent AI might look like. He examines the risks and rewards of life in a universe where humans are outmatched by more capable entities. Get the key ideas on Blinkist in just 19 minutes.
The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos
Is there a single algorithm (算法) that can obtain all knowledge from data Leading machine learning researcher Pedro Domingos provides an engaging look at the quest to find a “master algorithm” that can fuel artificial general intelligence. Get the key ideas on Blinkist in just 21 minutes.
Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom
What happens when machines surpass (超越) human cognitive abilities Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom lays out the potential paths and risks that may emerge as we develop superintelligent AI systems far exceeding human intelligence. Get the key ideas on Blinkist in just 24 minutes.
21．What is mainly discussed in Human Compatible
A．How to create advanced AI systems.
B．How to predict the future of AI technology.
C．How to make AI systems match human values.
D．How to ensure AI more intelligent than humans.
22．Who introduces the quest for a single master algorithm
A．Stuart Russell. B．Max Tegmark.
C．Pedro Domingos. D．Nick Bostrom.
23．What do the four books have in common
A．They are all available on Blinkist.
B．All their authors are AI programmers.
C．They all provide technical guides to AI.
D．They focus on AI’s historical development.
It was July 2023. Tens of thousands of pencils lay on the tables of the Colfax Historical Society Museum in the U.S. state of Iowa. None of them was sharpened. Some were in plastic containers. Others were simply held together with rubber bands (橡皮筋).
All of them belonged to Aaron Bartholmey. The 36-year-old started collecting pencils after his first-grade teacher gifted each student a colored pencil for Christmas. He then started buying interesting pencils at flea markets (旧货市场). In high school, he joined the American Pencil Collectors Society. His collection quickly grew into the thousands.
Some of Bartholmey’s pencils are from World War II. On these pencils, the band around the eraser is made with cardboard or plastic. That’s because metal had to be saved for the war. One of Bartholmey’s favorite pencils is a 1926 gold-and-silver one. It marked the 150th birthday of the United States. “I’ve always enjoyed the stories behind the pencils,” the man said. “What I collect is much more than just the plain pencils themselves.”
Bartholmey has always kept a detailed record of his collection. But that was not enough for him to apply for a Guinness World Record. The organization required a public count.
Ahead of the event, Bartholmey made five trips in his car to deliver about 470 boxes of pencils to the museum. The count began at 8 a.m. on July 1, 2023. Bartholmey watched as two counters from the American Pencil Collectors Society went through one box at a time. The first counter counted and recorded a number before passing it to the second for a recount. By 9 p.m., they still hadn’t finished. They started again the next morning. After another five hours of counting, one of the counters finally held up the last pencil. In all, there were 69,255 pencils.
Bartholmey now holds the record for the largest collection of pencils in the world. But the number is only part of the story. He can never contain (克制)his excitement when he finds another unusual pencil and learns its history.
Choose the best answer.
24．How many pencils does Bartholmey have now
A．About 470. B．About 2,350. C．Nearly 60,000. D．Nearly 70,000.
25．According to the article, how long did it take the counters from the American Pencil Collectors Society to count all the pencils
A．Five hours. B．Thirteen hours. C．Eighteen hours. D．Twenty-four hours.
26．According to the article, all of Bartholmey’s collections ______.
A．are unsharpened B．are over 80 years old
C．lie in a public museum D．are in plastic containers
27．According to the article, Bartholmey enjoys collecting pencils because ______.
A．most pencils are not very expensive
B．pencils come in many different colors
C．each pencil has a different story to tell
D．pencils are commonly used in people’s daily lives
The ability to think about what others are thinking, known as “theory of mind”, is a crucial aspect of human interaction and cooperation. Scientists have long been intrigued if animals share this capability. Recent studies suggest that some animals, particularly great apes like chimpanzees and bonobos (倭黑猩猩), might possess this skill.
A notable experiment conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University’s Ape Initiative provides convincing evidence. The study involved three male bonobos, who were taught to communicate using signs or symbols. These apes are known for their intelligence and cooperative problem-solving skills.
In the experiment, scientist Luke Townrow sat across from a bonobo while another scientist hid a small snack under one of three inverted (使倒置) cups. The bonobo witnessed the hiding process but Mr Townrow was only able to see the cups half the time. When Mr Townrow couldn’t see where the snack was hidden, he would act confused and ask, “Hmm, where is the grape ” before waiting for 10 seconds.
The results showed that when Mr Townrow lacked knowledge of the snack’s location, the bonobos pointed to the correct cup more quickly and frequently. This behaviour indicates that the bonobos were aware of Mr Townrow’s knowledge state and adapted their responses accordingly.
While the study had limitations—such as the small number of bonobos and the possibility that their upbringing around humans influenced their behaviour—the findings are significant. They suggest that bonobos indeed have a theory of mind, allowing them to consider others’ thoughts and adjust their actions based on what they know others do not.
This discovery enhances our understanding of animal cognition (认知) and social behaviour. It implies that the ability to think about others’ thoughts, once thought to be uniquely human, may be more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously believed. Further research with larger groups and wild bonobos could provide deeper insights into the extent and evolution of this cognitive ability in animals.
28．What does the underlined word "intrigued" in Paragraph 1 probably mean
A．Curious. B．Worried. C．Unconcerned. D．Amazed.
29．What does Paragraph 3 mainly focus on
A．The effect of the experiment. B．The process of the experiment.
C．The purpose of the experiment. D．The principle of the experiment.
30．What is the result of the experiment
A．All animals have cognitive ability.
B．Bonobos can be trained to communicate freely.
C．Bonobos have a theory of mind similar to humans.
D．Scientist Luke Townrow is skilled in confusing bonobos.
31．What may scientists view the experiment as
A．A morally questionable experiment.
B．A definitive conclusion of the study.
C．A time-consuming and cost-effective trial.
D．A starting point for future investigations.
Polymetallic nodules (多金属结核) on the deep-ocean seafloor contain minerals like cobalt and nickel, which mining companies hope to harvest for green-energy batteries and technologies. However, a recent study suggests these prized, potato-sized rocks may also serve as a source of oxygen for the bacteria and other microorganisms living there.
Jeffrey Marlow, one of the authors of the study, said researchers planted some watertight (不透水的) structures on the ocean floor, which he described as overturned boxes equipped with instruments designed to measure the properties and composition of living things and their probable usage of oxygen. Researchers measured the oxygen loss over a 48-hour period while the structure was sealed on the seafloor. Typically, a decline in oxygen is an indicator for biological abundance because breathing organisms consume it. Yet, contrary to all expectations, they observed a rise in oxygen levels, a finding that directly challenged conventional understanding.
But not everyone is on the same wavelength as him. Canada’s The Metals Co. stated the study had been rejected by four scientific publications until finding a home at Nature, which the company labeled as “a journal that has long championed the preservation of deep-sea minerals”. TMC also said the method was wrong, arguing the team’s findings contradicted other work that had been conducted in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone. “The heightened oxygen levels are in fact incorrect in the data, and we are currently preparing a peer-reviewed paper as a fightback,” said the company.
Bo Barker, a microbiologist at Denmark’s Aarhus University, said the study invited more questions than it did answers. He described it as “a novel but very confusing process for which the mechanism is still not clear”.
For years, companies such as Canada’s TMC have been battling to persuade the international governing authority to green-light their plans to obtain these rocks in the Pacific Ocean’s CCZ. The company has argued that the metals are essential for fossil fuel-free technologies and that the impact mining will have on the ocean floor is not only minimal, but also fades next to the destruction of rain forests and human communities caused by land-based mining.
32．What was the most unexpected finding of Jeffrey Marlow’s study
A．Oxygen levels climbed in the box. B．Nodules contained cobalt and nickel.
C．The underwater structures were sealed. D．Microorganisms consumed oxygen fast.
33．Why does The Metals Co. (TMC) mention that the study was rejected by four scientific publications
A．To praise the researchers’ resolution.
B．To explain the long publication delay.
C．To suggest the study was initially unqualified.
D．To emphasize the fierce competition among journals.
34．What role do the last two paragraphs play in the development of the passage
A．Providing multidimensional context for the ongoing debate.
B．Listing the potential benefits of harvesting polymetallic nodules.
C．Offering a detailed, step-by-step explanation of the new study’s approach.
D．Summarizing the key findings and presenting a final conclusion on the matter.
35．Which of the following can be the best title for the text
A．A Deep Rock: a Data Error B．A Tiny Stone: a massive Wave
C．A Rare Metal: a Global Solution D．A Deep-Sea Mine: a Rainforest Rescue
We’ve all been there after a long trip — staring blankly at emails, counting the hours until bed. Yet when 2 a.m. hits, you’re still wide awake, mindlessly looking through social media, trapped in the control of jet lag. 36
Our internal clock governs everything from sleep to digestion to hormones (激素分泌) and uses light to maintain its natural 24-hour cycle. But when we land in a new time zone, and day suddenly turns to night, this rhythm is thrown off balance. 37 But scientists have found ways to help our bodies keep up. Even reducing jet lag by a day can improve the productivity and well-being of so many people.
The best strategy Tricking yourself into a new rhythm before travel. 38 For example, Timeshifter, an app developed by a neuroscientist and his team, suggests a personalized schedule for light exposure and sleep based on flight arrangements.
39 While the brain is our master clock, other tissues like the liver and muscles have their own clocks that regulate metabolism (新陈代谢), the body’s process of turning food into energy. That is, meal timing and composition could also be key to reducing jet lag.
In reality, there are lots of things that come into play. 40 While we don’t yet have a way to comprehensively avoid jet lag, at least researchers and airlines aren’t asleep on the job in their hunt for a cure.
A．A complete cure for jet lag is unlikely to find.
B．So how can we deal with the annoying jet lag
C．That’s the price for crossing time zones too fast.
D．There are some tools to help with this, of course.
E．Meanwhile, different people have different rhythms.
F．The key to the trick is to manage your light exposure.
G．However, jet lag isn’t just about light exposure and sleep.
三、完形填空
I was rushing through the airport terminal, already late for my flight. My mind was 41 with to-do lists and worries. Balancing a laptop bag, a suitcase, and a cup of hot coffee, I was a walking disaster waiting to happen.
It happened near Gate 17. A young boy, no more than seven, suddenly ran in front of me. I 42 to avoid him, and the coffee flew from my hand, landing directly on a woman sitting nearby.
Time seemed to stop. The woman jumped up, her white silk blouse now 43 with brown liquid. I stood frozen, my face burning with 44 . “I’m so sorry,” I stammered. “I wasn’t looking — I mean, the boy — I didn’t mean to…”
She looked at me, then down at her ruined blouse. For a long moment, she said nothing. I could see the 45 in her eyes — the anger ready to explode. And honestly, I would have 46 her if it had.
But then something unexpected happened. She took a deep breath, and her expression 47 . “It’s okay,” she said softly. “It’s just coffee.”
She reached into her bag and pulled out a scarf, gently 48 the stain on her blouse. “I have a job interview in two hours,” she added with a small smile. “But you know what This will make a great story someday.”
I offered to pay for dry cleaning, but she 49 . “You looked like you were already having a tough day,” she said. “Go catch your flight.”
As I walked away, I realized that her 50 had shifted something inside me. In that moment of chaos, she had chosen 51 over anger, grace over blame. I had been carrying so much stress about things that, in the end, 52 so little.
On the plane, I sat quietly, thinking about how easily I would have 53 differently. How often do we let a small 54 ruin our entire day — or someone else’s That woman taught me that we always have a choice in how we 55 . And sometimes, the greatest strength lies not in holding on, but in letting go.
41．A．filled B．covered C．crowded D．equipped
42．A．continued B．stopped C．jumped D．turned
43．A．decorated B．marked C．spotted D．colored
44．A．excitement B．embarrassment C．disappointment D．satisfaction
45．A．doubt B．fear C．struggle D．surprise
46．A．blamed B．forgiven C．understood D．ignored
47．A．froze B．worsened C．softened D．darkened
48．A．making B．hiding C．noticing D．wiping
49．A．agreed B．refused C．hesitated D．accepted
50．A．anger B．patience C．kindness D．honesty
51．A．judgment B．complaint C．apology D．forgiveness
52．A．mattered B．changed C．happened D．appeared
53．A．reacted B．planned C．expected D．prepared
54．A．decision B．mistake C．accident D．success
55．A．work B．think C．respond D．live
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。
The Chinese thriller Silent Thunder, 56 (release) in 2026, 57 (win) high praise from both audiences and critics for its serious and profound theme of national security. 58 (base) on several real and typical anti-espionage cases, the film vividly tells the story of a brave team of national security officers 59 mission is to stop the illegal spread of important confidential information and safeguard national interests. What makes the movie particularly unusual is 60 it adopts a calm and realistic style instead of the exciting and exaggerated scenes commonly seen in commercial thrillers. It also deeply shows how important it is for every citizen to be aware 61 potential hidden dangers in daily life. The heroes in the film work silently in the dark, 62 (protect) our country and people in complete silence without seeking any fame or reward. 63 (compare) with many commercial films that focus on visual effects and plot excitement, this one pays more attention to the truth of the story and the profound meaning behind it. It has not only achieved great success at the box office and won wide attention, 64 also become one of the most 65 (impress) domestic films this year that combine artistic value and educational significance.
五、书信写作
66．你校英语报社正在组织“My Favourite Traditional Chinese Food”为主题的英语征文活动。请选择一种食物，完成征文。
内容包括：
1.相关背景和特色；
2.你喜欢的原因。
注意：
1.写作词数应为80个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
My Favourite Traditional Chinese Food
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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。
The Christmas Present
When I was a boy of nine in the little town of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, I used to mow the lawn of Mrs Long, an elderly lady who lived across from the Presbyterian Church. She paid me very little for the chore, for she had not much money. But she did promise me, “When Christmas comes, I shall have a present for you.” I spent much time wondering what it would be. The boys I played with had baseball gloves and bicycles and ice skates, and I was so eager to acquire any one of these that I convinced myself that Mrs Long intended choosing from among them.
“It would hardly be a baseball glove,” I reasoned with myself. “A woman like Mrs Long wouldn t know much about baseball.” Since she was a weak and thin person, I also ruled out the bicycle, for how could she handle such a vehicle
On my last Saturday at work, Mrs Long said, “Now remember, because you’ve been a good boy all summer, at Christmas I’ll have a present waiting. You come to the door and collect it.” These words clinched it. Since she was going to have the present in her house, and since she herself would be handling it, unquestionably she was giving me a pair of ice skates.
I became so convinced of this that I could imagine myself upon the skates. As the cold days of November arrived and ice began to form on the ponds, I began to try my luck on the ice that would be sustaining me and my skates through the winter.
“Get away from that ice!” a man shouted. “It’s not strong enough yet.” But soon it would be.
As Christmas approached, it was with difficulty that I restrained myself from reporting to Mrs Long and demanding my present. My mother, who taught school, agreed that the first of December was too early for me to do this. “She may not have it wrapped yet,” she argued, and this made sense.
注意：
(1)续写词数应为150左右；
(2)请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
On the 21st of December, a serious cold snap froze all the ponds. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On Christmas morning, before the sun was up, I had this box on my knees. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
参考答案
题号 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
答案 B A C B C A C A C A
题号 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
答案 B A B A C B C A C B
题号 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
答案 C C A D C A C A B C
题号 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
答案 D A C A B C A D G E
题号 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
答案 C D C B C A C D B C
题号 51 52 53 54 55
答案 D A A C C
1．B
【原文】W: Hello, can I pay by credit card for the pizza
M: I’m sorry our restaurant is not set up to take credit cards over the phone for delivery orders. It’s cash only and we would appreciate it if you paid our driver with the smallest bill possible.
2．A
【原文】M: So, as an expert, what new technology do you think we will see in 2026
W: We will continue to see improvements in machine learning and computer intelligence, leading to progress in the Internet of things of 4G. I also hope to see new clean energy technology coming into the market.
3．C
【原文】W: I have heard you are going to England tomorrow. I want to see you off at the airport. When will you leave
M: One in the afternoon. But I am to check in at 11:20 in the morning.
W: Then I will see you at the airport at 11 in the morning.
4．B
【原文】W: Have you ever watched the game for disabled athletes
M: Yes, watching these athletes is a moving experience because disabled athletes have to adapt to their disability and make a huge effort to succeed.
W: So, they need encouragement and shouldn’t be made fun of.
M: I couldn’t agree more.
5．C
【原文】M: Most of the world’s rainforests are in danger. They are disappearing at an alarming rate.
W: Yeah, many plants and a large population of animals exist only in rainforest. Have you heard of the Amazon rain forest fires in 2019
M: Yes, they led to mass loss of wildlife.
6．A 7．C
【原文】M: Globe language center. May I help you
W: Yes, I’d like some information about your study abroad programs.
M: Sure. Our short-term programs are eight weeks long.
W: Eight weeks is perfect. I have to start a new job in the fall. Can you tell me what kind of housing is out there
M: We place all of our students in homestay. If you like, I can send you our brochure and some information about our host families.
W: Okay, thanks.
8．A 9．C
【原文】W: You don’t look well. What troubles you, Daniel
M: Well, you know, our music teacher has asked me to prepare something for the city piano competition. I have chosen a piece of Beethoven’s music.
W: That is great, Daniel. We all know you are the best in our class and I hope you will win.
M: The only problem is that my mother is not feeling well. Can you imagine what my practicing at home would do to her
W: There must be a solution.
10．A 11．B 12．A
【原文】M: Hi, Elena, congratulations on bringing out your book about fundraising for nonprofit organizations.
W: Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without the support from everyone here at the society for wildlife preservation.
M: If it is possible, I would like you to give a talk on your book to the public. I think it would really encourage everyone to think creatively about how we can attract more donors to help our cause.
W: Sure, I can do that. But it will have to wait until next month because I am going to a meeting on protecting the wetlands.
13．B 14．A 15．C 16．B
【详解】M: Hello everyone. Welcome to our program. Today, we are fortunate to have a special guest with us. Her name is Yang Liu, a performer of bamboo drifting. When did you begin to learn bamboo drifting
W: I learned it from my grandmother when I was seven.
M: Could you share your learning experience with us
W: With pleasure. Usually, the bamboo under my feet is about nine meters long, and the bamboo in my hands is about five meters long. I fell in the water several times when I was practicing. So, keeping my body from falling into the water is the most difficult part of bamboo drifting.
M: What makes you keep going
W: Just the love for the ancient skill. In the past 17 years I have been drifting all year round in winter cold and summer heat. Now I am able to do Chinese Qinggong on the water. And I put dance into bamboo drifting to make it elegant. As human culture has been on the rise, I started wearing Hanfu when performing, creating a beautiful feel.
M: We all know you registered on social media platforms and posted your videos.
W: Yes. I want to spread it to other countries so that more people around the world will like Chinese culture.
M: I totally agree with you. It was good to talk to you. I feel like I always learn so much more when I get the chance to speak with you about these things.
17．C 18．A 19．C 20．B
【原文】
W: Microplastics are everywhere in our environment. Measuring 50 to 500 micrometers in length, microplastics come from a variety of sources, including large plastics that break down into smaller pieces. Therefore, much remains unknown about the common existence of these materials within the human body, as well as their impact on human health. A research team led by Kieran Cox studied 26 papers on the amount of microplastics in common foods. Using previously reported data, the team evaluated the potential consumption of microplastics and calculated annual intake via food and drink at 34,000 to 52,000 particles. The study found that people who drink only bottled water absorb an additional 90,000 microplastic stick each year, compared to 4000 among those who only drink tap water. But the food and drink that the researchers analyzed represent 15% of Americans a caloric intake. The team couldn’t account for food groups like fruits, vegetables and grains. Because there simply is not enough data on their microplastic content. For those who are worried about microplastic consumption, cutting down bottled water is a good start. But as for the heart of the problem, we have to stop producing and using so much plastic.
56．released 57．has won 58．Based 59．whose 60．that 61．of 62．protecting 63．Compared 64．but 65．impressive
66．One possible version:
My Favourite Traditional Chinese Food
In China, there are rich traditional foods, among which my favourite is zongzi.
A very popular dish during the Dragon Boat festival is zongzi. This tasty dish consists of rice dumplings with meat, peanut, egg or other fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves. The legend behind zongzi dates back over 2,000 years ago, during Warring States Period in China.
Eating zongzi is not only a way for me to enjoy the food but also an opportunity for me to connect with my relatives and friends. Sharing zongzi with others is a sign of goodwill, and exchanging different kinds of zongzi encourages me to communicate more actively. Zongzi is more than a delightful treat; it serves as a bridge connecting people to their heritage, culture, and each other.
67． On the 21st of December, a serious cold snap froze all the ponds. My longing to possess ice skates became overpowering. I could restrain myself no longer, so I presented myself at Mrs Long’s house. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she said, handing me a box. It was a small box, which under no circumstances could hold a pair of skates. I was painfully disappointed but out of politeness did not show it. “What is it ” I asked. “Kind of magic. You’ll see on Christmas Day,” she said. Her words set my mind dancing with new possibilities. I came back home, convincing myself that I held some great wonder.
On Christmas morning, before the sun was up, I had this box on my knees. My hands trembled with anticipation as I stared at it. I took a deep breath and carefully opened the lid. To my astonishment, there was a beautiful hand-knitted scarf inside. For a moment, I felt a twinge of disappointment. But then I picked up the scarf and felt its softness. I realised that Mrs Long, with her limited means, had put a great deal of thought and effort into this gift. I wrapped the scarf around my neck, feeling its warmth seep into my skin. I knew that even though it wasn’t what I had expected, it was a truly special present, a symbol of Mrs Long’s kindness and care. I couldn’t wait to thank her and show her how much I loved it.

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