2024年高考英语押题卷02（新高考专用）（原卷版）

2024年高考英语押题卷02（新高考专用）注意事项：1.答卷前，考生务必用黑色字迹钢笔或签字笔将自己的姓名、考生号、考场号和座位号填写在答题卡上。用2B铅笔将试卷类型(A)填涂在答题卡相应位置上。将条形码横贴在答题卡右上角“条形码粘贴处”。2.作答选择题时，选出每小题答案后，用2B铅笔把答题卡上对应题目选项的答案信息点涂黑;如需改动，用橡皮擦干净后，再选涂其他答案，答案不能答在试卷上。3.非选择题必须用黑色字迹钢笔或签字笔作答，答案必须写在答题卡各题目指定区域内相应位置上;如需改动，先划掉原来的答案，然后再写上新的答案;不准使用铅笔和涂改液，不按以上要求作答的答案无效。4.考生必须保持答题卡的整洁：考试结束后，将试卷和答题卡一并交回。第一部分听力（共两节，满分30分）第一节（共5小题；每小题1分，满分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。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．（2023·河北衡水·河北衡水中学校考模拟预测）Whatisthewomangoodat?A．Singing. B．Playingthepiano. C．Playingthedrums.2．（2023·河北唐山·统考三模）Howmuchdidthemanpayfortheelectrickettle?A．40dollars. B．20dollars. C．10dollars.3．（2023·河北保定·统考二模）Whydoesthewomanhavetochangeherflight?A．Herfatherisill.B．Herflighthasbeencanceled.C．Shesuffersfromaheartattack.4．（2023·河北石家庄·行唐一中校联考模拟预测）Whatisthewomanprobably?A．Acustomer. B．Ahotelclerk. C．Ashopassistant.5．（2023·河北张家口·统考一模）Whenwillthefilmbegin?A．At2:00. B．At2:15. C．At2:20.第二节（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分）听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟；听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。听第6段材料，回答6、7小题。（2023·江苏·江苏省前黄高级中学校考二模）6．Whatdidthemanuselastweekend?A．Asharedbike. B．Asharedcharger. C．Asharedumbrella.7．Whatisthewomangoingtotalkaboutnext?A．Theproperwaystousethesharingproduct.B．Herattitudetowardsthesharingeconomy.C．Theadvantagesofthesharingeconomy.听第7段材料，回答8、9小题。（2023·江苏南京·统考二模）8．Whatistheprobablerelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A．Bossandsecretary. B．Coachandplayer. C．Receptionistandcustomer.9．Whyistheswimmingpoolclosed?A．Itisunderdecoration.B．Itsequipmentneedsupdating.C．Todayisweeklycleaningday.听第8段材料，回答10至12小题。（2023·江苏南通·统考三模）10．Whatistheflight’sdestination?A．China. B．TheUK. C．Mongolia.11．Whatwillhappenfirst?A．Themovieswillbeplayed.B．ThedrinkswillbeservedC．Thesafetyprocedureswillbeshown.12．Whoisthespeaker?A．Atourguide. B．Apassenger. C．Aflightattendant.听第9段材料，回答13至16小题。（2023·湖北省直辖县级单位·统考模拟预测）13．Whyisthewomanexhausted?A．Sheisrunning. B．Sheiswetintherain. C．Shedidn’tsleepwell.14．Howfardoesthewomancovereveryweek?A．Twomiles. B．Threemiles. C．Sixmiles.15．Whatistheman’shealthyhabit?A．Hehasahealthydiet.B．Hegetsenoughsleep.C．Hedoesmuchexercise.16．Whatwouldthemanliketodo?A．Cycletowork.B．Gettobedearlier.C．Gotothepooleveryday.听第10段材料，回答17至20小题小题。（2023·湖北黄冈·黄冈中学校考二模）17．Whatdayisittoday?A．Tuesday. B．Thursday. C．Friday.18．WhatdoesChloethinkoftheman’sidea?A．Great. B．Terrible. C．So-so.19．Whatdothespeakersdecidetobuyasagift?A．ATVset. B．Asmartphone. C．Alaptop.20．WhatwillChloedothisafternoon?A．Workoutinagym. B．Goshopping. C．Playonlinegames.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A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。A（2023·湖北荆门·荆门市龙泉中学校考三模）DolphinWatchingAboardtheRudeeFlipperLookingforthelongestrunningandmostexperienceddolphincruse(航行)companyattheVirginiaBeachResortarea?YouhavefounditatRudeetours!AdolphincruiseaboardtheRudeeFlipperistheessentialtripforfun-seekingvacationers.EachtourisnarratedbyourexpertswhoarereadytosharetheirknowledgeandansweryourquestionsaboutthedolphinsandtheVirginiaBeachcoastline.Ourcruiseboatfeaturesupperandlowersightseeinglevelsandwindowsthatprovidea360-degreerangefortheultimateviewingexperience.TheRudeeFlipperisa65-footlong,28-footwideSouthSeaCatamaran.TheRudeeFlipperisequippedwithtworestrooms,aclimate-controlledcabin,disabledaccessibility,andasnackbarwithhotandcoldfoodoffered.Schedule:Wednesdays,Fridays,Mondays:2pmSaturdays,Sundays:11am,2pmPrices:Adults:$23.00Children11andunder:$17.00Children3andunder:FreeDuration:90minutesDressfortheweather!Itcanbeslightlycooleroutonthewaterespeciallyinthespring,fall,andwinter.Wemayhavetocanceltripsduetohighwinds,butourcruiseswillstillgowhenitisraining.GuaranteedSightingsWesincerelycareaboutyourexperienceanddoeverythingthatwecantoensuresightings.Whileweunderstandthatwildlifecanbesomewhatunpredictable,ifourexpertteamisunabletolocateanydolphinsonyourtripsaboardtheRudeeFlipper,youcanrideagainwithusforfree.21．WhatdoweknowaboutdolphincruisesatRudeeTours?A．TheyareavailableeverydayexceptonTuesdays.B．Theylastforovertwohoursoneachjourney.C．Thereareprofessionalguidesonboard.D．Therearenoarrangementsonrainydays.22．WhatcanbelearnedabouttheRudeeFlipper?A．Itoutshinestheotherlocalboats. B．Itoffersdoublesightseeinglevels.C．Itisequippedwiththreerestrooms. D．Itisspeciallydesignedforthedisabled.23．Howmuchshouldacouplewiththeir9-year-oldchildpayfortheirtour?A．$17.00. B．$23.00. C．$46.00. D．$63.00.B（2023·湖北·华中师大一附中校考模拟预测）Formostgraduatingstudents,thecollege-admissionseason,usuallyinJulyandAugust,isanervoustimethatisoftendescribedasalife-changingmoment.Ananxious18-year-oldPengLanxigothisadmissionletterfromHunanUniversityofScienceandTechnologyonJuly26,bringinghisdreamcloser-makingprostheticlimbs(假肢)moreadvancedandaccessibletopeoplelikehim.HismotherWangChunmeicouldn’tholdbackhertearsbecausesheknewhowhersonhadovercomethedifficulties.PengLanxilosthislegsinacaraccidentin2005,whenhewasababy.Havinglearnedtowalkusingjusthishands,heenjoyslifeasmuchastheteenagersaroundhim.Onhiswheelchair,heplaysbasketballandbadminton.Onceaweek,hegoesfora40-minuteswim,andhisbesttimefor100metersisoneminuteand15seconds.“Ibelievethatobstacles(障碍)aretheretobeconquered.Someonesaysthatlifeislikeamirror,andwegetthebestresultswhenwesmileatit,”PengLanxisays.Hisstoryhasgoneviral(在网上快速传播的)onsocialmediaplatformSinaWeibo,whichhasbeenviewedmorethan19milliontimesandhewonadmirationfromitsusersforhiscourage,determinationandhardwork.AusernamedShuangpicommentsthatPenglosthislegs,buthedoesn’tletthatgetinhisway.TheofficialaccountofHunanUniversityofScienceandTechnologyontheplatformhasevencommented,“WelcomePengtotheuniversity.”LuMingsaysthattheschoolwillhelpPengtopursuehisdream—tobeaprostheticsengineer,acareerthatwillchangelives.Pengisnotalone,asauthoritieshaveimprovedthepresenceofdisabledpeopleonmainstreamcampusesinrecentyears.14,559studentsfacingphysicalchallengesenteredcollegelastyear.From2016to2020,about57,500specialneedsstudentswereadmittedintouniversities,amorethan50percentincreasecomparedwiththe2011-2015period.24．WhydidWangChunmeiburstintotears?A．Hersoncanactlikeahealthyperson. B．Herson’sachievementwasashocktoher.C．Hersonsucceededaftertoomuchdifficulty. D．Shehopedtoputonprostheticlimbsforherson.25．WhatcanweknowaboutPengLanxifromthethirdparagraph?A．Hisbitterchildhood. B．Hisgameexperience.C．Hispositiveattitudetolife. D．Hispreferenceforvarioussports.26．WhatcausedPengLanxitobepopular?A．Hismother. B．Histalents. C．Hishardwork. D．Shuangpi’scomment.27．Whatcanbeinferredfromthelastparagraph?A．LuMingwasonceinchargeofadmission.B．Prostheticsengineerscanfindjobsmucheasier.C．Disabledpeopleatuniversitiesarelookeddownon.D．BeingadmittedintotheuniversitywillcontributetoPengLanxi’sfuture.C（2023·福建泉州·统考一模）Afterbeingdriventonearextinction,wolvesarebackinWashingtonstate.Wolf32M,calledTheOldGuybywolfspecialistBenMaletzke,livedsome12yearsasthepatriarch(族长)oftheTeanawayPack,kickingofftherecoveryofwolvesinWashington.Thepack’sterritorywasroastedbywildfirein2014.Butwolf32Mandhisfamilyremainedinexistence,bringingthecallofthewildbackforthefirsttimeinacentury.ThesewolvesarewhatMaletzkecallssteppingstonesinrecovery—theanimalsthatcouldhelpleadthewaytonewterritorynotyetrepopulatedbywolves.Wolvesspreadtonewterritorytofindmatesandbeginpacksoftheirown.Itisthispackdynamicthatwildlifebiologistsarecountingon,intime,tourgewolvesintoareaswheretheydonotpresentlylive.“Wejustneedacoupletopickupandgo,”Maletzkesays.Allalong,theTeanawaypackhasstayedmostlyoutoftroubleprobably,helpedbyalotofrangeriding(牧区巡逻)intendedtohelpreduceconflictsoverwolfrecoverybykeepingwolvesawayfromcattle.“Heisanexampleofwolveslivinganddoingwhattheydo,evenaroundpeople,”Maletzkesaysofwolf32M.StoryWarren,astudentattheUniversityofMontana,wasjustagirlwhenshefirstsaw32M’stracksintheTeanawayRiverValley—anexcitingencounterthathelpedgenerateaseriousinterestinwildlifethatnowfuelsherstudies.Toher,thereturnofthewolfisaboutmorethanthespecies;itisaboutrecoveringsomethingevenbigger:hope.“Growingupinmygeneration,thereissomuchbadecologicalnews,alotofhopelessnessaboutclimatechangeandlossofbiodiversityandextinctions,”Warrensays,“TohavesomethingaswildaswolvescomingbacktoWashingtonisveryencouragingforme—justtoknowsuchanamazingandpowerfulcreatureexists.”28．WhydoesMaletzkecallWolf32Mfamily“steppingstones”?A．Theyarenearlydyingout. B．Theyarevictimsofwildfire.C．Theyareworthprotection. D．Theyarepioneersinwolfrecovery.29．Whatfunctiondoesparagraph3serve?A．Topresentaresult. B．Toclarifyaconcept.C．Toofferanexplanation. D．Tomakeaprediction30．WhatcanbelearnedfromtheexampleoftheTeanawaypack?A．Wolvesfacealotoftrouble.B．Wolfrecoverycountsonitspopulation.C．Certainmeasurestoensurecattlesafetyarerequired.D．Wolvesshouldbeforbiddenfromhumanresidence.31．WhatdoesWarrenthinkofthecomingbackofwolves?A．Itfuelsmorestudiesonwildlife. B．Itclearsupbadecologicalnews.C．Itworsensclimatechange. D．Itexciteshopefortheecosystem.D（2023·福建泉州·福建省德化第一中学校联考一模）Inarecentstudy,researchersburnedscentedcandles(香薰蜡烛)inseveralrooms—rangingfromasmallbathroommeasuring6by6by9feettoalivingroommeasuring15by15by9feet—andthenusedspecialinstrumentstodeterminewhatwasreleasedintotheair.Theyfoundthatwhilesomecancer-causingchemicalswereproduced,thehighestlevelsmeasuredafterfourhoursofcontinuousburningwerelessthanhalfashighastherecommendedindoorairqualitylimitssetbytheWorldHealthOrganization.Thisledthestudyauthorstoconcludethatundernormalconditions,scentedcandleswon’tposeanyhealthrisks.It’simportanttonotethatonlyasmallnumberofstudieshavelookedintothehealtheffectsofburningscentedcandles.Andmost,includingthisone,wereconductedbyresearcherssponsoredbythecandleindustry,buthealthauthoritieshaveclaimedthattheauthorsfindingsaresolid.“Whencandlesburn,theyreleasechemicalsinrelativelyinsignificantconcentrations,”saidPamelaDalton,aresearcherattheMonellChemicalSensesCenterinPhiladelphia.“Theamountofunpleasantmaterialsproducedingeneralisontheorderofafewpartspermillionorevenpartsperbillion,whichislikepouringateaspoon’sworthofachemicalintoanOlympic-sizedswimmingpool.”“Exposuretochemicalsreleasedbyscentedcandlesissolowthattheyposenosignificantrisktohumanhealth,”saidNikaetaSadekar,anexpertwiththenonprofitResearchInstituteforFragranceMaterials.“Eventhehighestusersofscentedcandlesarenotputtingthemselvesatanyconsiderableriskofharm.”AccordingtoDr.Dalton,humanscandetectapleasantsmellatverylowconcentrations.“We’vebeentoldthatwe’reatthelowendoftheanimalkingdomintermsofbeingabletodetectvarioussmells.That’sjustnottrue,”shesaid.“Ournosecanoftensmellthingsintheairevenwhentheyarebarelythere.Whenwesmellsomething,itjustsmellsstrong.Wetendtoautomaticallyassumethatwhatwe’rebreathingrepresentsahighconcentration.Andveryoftenthat’snotthecase.”32．Whatdidresearchersdoaftertheyburnedscentedcandles?A．Theyremovedsomecancer-causingchemicals.B．Theyusedinstrumentstocleantheairforhours.C．Theycheckedtoseewhichonelastedthelongest.D．Theymeasuredairqualityinroomsofvarioussizes33．Whatdoestheauthortellusaboutthestudy’sconclusion?A．Ithasbeensupportedbyofficials.B．Itisbasedonunsponsoredresearch.C．Itmaybemisleadingforthecandleindustry.D．Itgoesagainstfindingsfrompreviousstudies.34．WhichstatementwouldDaltonandSadekaragreewith?A．ItisabitriskytoburnscentedcandlesinsmallroomsB．Somenewtypesofscentedcandlesarecancer-causingC．Itisquitesafetousescentedcandlesonaregularbasis.D．Burningscentedcandleswon’tproduceunpleasantmaterials35．WhatdidDaltonsayabouthumansenseofsmell?A．Itneedstobeimproved. B．Itisverysensitive.C．Ithasbeengenerallypoor. D．Itisoftenchangeable.第二节(共5小题:每小题2.5分,满分12.5分)阅读下面短文,从短文后的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。（2024·浙江·模拟预测）A2021reportfromHabitatforHumanityInternationalfoundthatSDG11.1wasactuallyregressing.Weareseeingstagnationinsteadofprogresstowardthegoal.Governmentsmustprioritizeadequatehousing,especiallyforthosestrugglingtosurviveintoday’sovercrowdedsettlements.36Herearethreestepsthatgovernments—andleadersinboththepublicandprivatesectors—cantaketoalleviatethisgrowinghousingcrisis:1.Prioritizelandtenure(占有)securityEnsureresidentsofinformalsettlementshavesecurerightstothelandtheyinhabit.ThishasalreadyhappenedonalargescaleincountriessuchasHonduras,wherecivilsocietyorganizationsandgovernmentscametogethertoformdiversecommissionsthatdevelopedpolicyrecommendationsaroundhousingandland,negotiatingapprovaloftherecommendationsandthenmonitoringtheirimplementation.37.2.38ForresidentsofFreetown’sinformalsettlementsandcountlessothercities,traditionalavenuesofhousingfinancearesimplynotaccessible.39Theyexhibitsimilarcharacteristicstotraditionalmortgageloans,buttheirsmallersizehelpsmakethemmoreaccessibletofamilieswithlowerincomes.3.Strengthenclimate-resilienthousing40.Thepublicandprivatesectorscanworktogethertosupportandinvestincommunitystart-upsspecializinginlow-cost,climate-resilienthomesandlocallysourcedbuildingmaterials.Forexample,anNGObasedinSierraLeone,HomeLeone,hasoverthepast5yearsbeendevelopingaffordablehousingutilizinglow-costconstructiontechniques,andprovidingfacilitiestomeetthebasicneedsofcommunitiesandanintegratedapproachtohousingdevelopmentforlow-incomecommunities.Wemustactnowtopaveastrongerfoundationforthemorethan10billionpeopleexpectedtoinhabitourcitiesby2050.Thisstartswiththeurgentimprovementofhousinginrapidlyexpandinginformalsettlementsworldwide.Thislong-overdueinvestmentwillmorethanpayforitselfbybuildingmoreprosperousandequitablecommunitiesforgenerationstocome.A．ExpandfinanceforhousingB．RevolutionizemortgageloansC．InformalsettlementsarehighlyvulnerabletotheimpactsofclimatechangeD．Thatmeansincreasingfinancialcommitmentsbyanorderofmagnitudeandmakingmeaningfulpolicychanges.E．Butthesituationhaschangedalot.F．Throughtheirtechnicalassistance,morethan1millionpeoplehaveimprovedaccesstotheirlandrightsG．Microloansofferhopebyprovidingindividualswiththemeanstoaccesscapitalforhousingimprovementsandupgrades.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、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。（2024·浙江·模拟预测）OntheAprilmorningIfoundoutaboutLucy’smother,itrained.Ididn’tknowwhatkindofcancerMrs.Hastingshaduntillater,41Iknewherconditionwasveryserious.IloveMr.andMrs.HastingsalmostasmuchasIlovemyownparents,andLucyismybestfriend.ButIdidn’twanttogotoschoolthatday.AndI42didn’twanttoseeLucy.WhatcouldIpossiblysaytoher?Whatdopeoplesaytotheirfriendsatsuchatime?ItriedeverytrickIknewtogetoutofgoingtoschool.ButMom43.“Youhaveahistorytestthismorning,Kristin,”shesaid,lookingatmeasifshe’dcrawledintomymindandknewIwasjustmaking44.Thenshesmiled.“BesuretostayclosetoLucy,especiallytoday,becausethatpoorgirlisgoingtoneedyourstrength.”Strength?WhatwasMothertalkingabout?Ididn’tevenknowwhattosaytomybestfriend.Ihidoutinthechoirroombetweenclasses45avoidingLucy,butshewasneveroutofmythoughts.Ikepttryingtocomeupwithsomething46tosaytoherbecauseIreallywantedtogetitright.LucyandIhadlast-periodEnglishinMrs.Green’sroom.I’davoidedmeetingherallday,Iwasgoingtohavetofaceherlastperiod,andIstilldidn’thavea(n)47.However,Mrs.Greensaid,“Kristin,LucyHastingsisyourbestfriend,andsheiscominghereinafewminutestogetherlessonassignments.”MyhearttightenedintoahardknotandI48inwardly.Istilldidn’tknowwhattosaytoLucy,andtimewasrunningout.Irushedoutoftheclassroom,racingdownthehallandoutthefrontdoorofschool.Ithadstoppedraining,andtheairsmeltcleanandfresh.InthedistanceI49someonecomingtowardme,stumblingacrossthecampus.IknewitwasLucy50Icouldn’tseeherface.Asshewasapproaching,InoticedhowLucy’sshouldersshookwitheverystepshetook.Shemustbecrying.Theraincamedown51.Raindropsmingledwithmytears.Lucy’sheartwasbreaking,andIwasn’tdoingathingtohelpher!AsIdrewnearertoher,mythroattightened,makingitimpossibleto52.Iprayedfor53andforcedmyselftomoveforward,54outstretched.“Oh.Kristin!”Lucycried.“Iwashopingitwasyou.”Wehuggedthen.ItwasthenthatIlearnedsomethingthatImightneverhavegraspedinanyotherway.I’dbeenalwaysfocusingonmyself:WhatshouldIdo?HowshouldIact?WhatwouldIsaytoLucy?Butwhenwefinallycamefacetoface,IforgotmyselfandcenteredonLucyandherneeds.OnlywhenIdidthatwasIabletoshareLucy’sgriefandletherknowthatshewas55andthatIreallycared.41．A．but B．and C．so D．if42．A．abruptly B．apparently C．surely D．scarcely43．A．agreed B．insisted C．hesitated D．swore44．A．efforts B．sense C．excuses D．mistakes45．A．inthewakeof B．inhopesof C．inpursuitof D．inlightof46．A．personal B．discouraging C．unusual D．appropriate47．A．plan B．explanation C．goal D．clue48．A．rocked B．calmed C．sprang D．trembled49．A．realized B．spotted C．greeted D．expected50．A．incase B．aslongas C．eventhough D．asthough51．A．again B．suddenly C．expectedly D．surprisingly52．A．tell B．react C．scream D．speak53．A．determination B．strength C．courage D．fortune54．A．palms B．legs C．shoulders D．arms55．A．special B．outstanding C．good D．sad第二节(共10小题:每小题1.5分,满分15分)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。（2023·江苏南通·统考二模）56(create)in2010,ChineseLanguageDaywasdesignatedtocelebratemultilingualismandcultural57(diverse),andpromotetheequaluseofthesixofficiallanguageswithintheUnitedNations.TheConfuciusInstituteatLjubljanaUniversityinSloveniaheldaneventThursday58(mark)the14thannualChineseLanguageDay.Nearly300peopleparticipatedintheevent,teachers,students,loversoftheChineselanguageandculture,andoverseasChinesevisitors59(include).“TheChineselanguageisincreasinglybecomingtheverybond60linksfriendlyrelationsbetweenChinaandtheworld,61(particular)Slovenia,andpromotesmutualunderstandingandtrustbetweenChineseandSlovenianpeople,”ChineseAmbassadortoSloveniaWangShunqingsaid.TheConfuciusInstitutealso62(organize)workshops,suchascalligraphy,painting,teaart,cultural63(perform)andfoodtasting,toshowcasetraditionalChinesecultureinanall-roundwayandtobuildaplatformforpeople-to-peopleandculturalexchangesbetweenChinaandSlovenia.64theendof2021,morethan180countriesandregionsaroundtheworldhadofferededucationinChineselanguage,morethan70countrieshadincludedChineseintheirnationaleducationsystems,and65numberofpeoplestudyingandusingChineseincountriesotherthanChinahadreached200million,accordingtotheUnitedNationsstatistics.第四部分写作(共两节,满分40分)第一节(满分15分)（2021·广东广州·统考二模）为迎接外国姐妹学校来访师生，学校准备选拔“文化交流小使者”（YoungAmbassadorforCultureExchange），你打算参加。请写一篇英语竞选演讲稿，内容包括：1.自我介绍2.竞选理由。注意：词数应为80左右；Goodmorning,dearjudge.I’mCandidateNo.1___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________第二节(满分25分)（2023·福建·统考模拟预测）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。Atage10,Istoodinfrontofmynewclass,mynewclassmateslookingatmewithmildinterestasmyteacherintroducedme.Ijoinedinthemiddleoftheschoolyear.Therewere41studentsinmynewclass.Iwasthe42nd.Allmyclassmatessatinpairsexceptforthisonegirl,Kate.Iwentandsatdownnexttoherandgaveherasmall,uncertainsmile.Shesmiledinreturn.T