2025~2026学年四川省成都市棠湖外国语学校高三上学期期中考试英语试卷

2025~2026学年四川省成都市棠湖外国语学校高三上学期期中考试英语试卷一、阅读理解(★★)TheiPhone17series,unveiledatApple’s2025falllaunchevent,markedasignificantupgradewithfourmodelsandashiftto256GBasthebasestorage.Here’sadetailedbreakdownofpricing,keyfeatures,andlaunchpromotionstohelpconsumersdecide.Startingwithpricing,theiPhone17StandardEditionsetstheentrypointat5,999yuanforthe256GBvariant.Thisisnotablythesamepriceasthe128GBversionoftheiPhone16,makingitacost-effectivechoice.Next,theiPhone17Air,positionedforusersseekingslimdesign,ispricedat7,999yuan(256GB).Forphotographyandgamingenthusiasts,theiPhone17Procomesinat8,999yuan(256GB),whilethetop-tieriPhone17ProMax,boastinga5,000mAhbatteryandperiscopetelephotolens,startsat9,999yuan(256GB)—afirst-timebreakthroughofthe10,000-yuanmarkfortheseries.ApplehasrolledoutgenerouslaunchpromotionsrunningfromOctober25toNovember15,2025.ExistingiPhoneusers(iPhone14orearlier)areeligibleforatrade-inrebateofupto1,200yuan,withtheStandardEditionqualifyingforthehighestdiscount.Fornewbuyers,purchasingdirectlyfromApple’sofficialwebsiteincludesafree20Wchargingadapter(valuedat149yuan)anda3-monthsubscriptiontoAppleMusic.Additionally,educationcustomers(studentsandteachers)canenjoyanextra500-yuandiscountacrossallmodels,whichcanbecombinedwithotheroffers.It’sworthnotingthatstorageupgradesremainconsistentacrosstheline-up:movingfrom256GBto512GBcostsanadditional1,500yuan,while1TBupgradesadd3,000yuan.However,nopromotionaldiscountsapplytostorageexpansions.1.WhatisthepriceoftheiPhone17Air(256GB)?

A．5,999yuanB．7,999yuanC．8,999yuanD．9,999yuan2.WhichpromotionisavailableforiPhone14users?

A．Afree3-monthAppleMusicsubscriptionB．Anextra500-yuaneducationdiscountC．Atrade-inrebateofupto1,200yuanD．Afree1TBstorageupgrade3.WhatdoweknowaboutstorageupgradesfortheiPhone17series?

A．Theyarefreeforlaunch-periodbuyersB．512GBcosts1,500yuanmorethan256GBC．TheProMaxoffersfree256GBupgradesD．Educationcustomersget30%offstorage(★★★)ThemomentIsteppedofftherickshawinMyitkyina,Myanmar,twomeninblackjacketsgrabbedmyarms.Theirroughhandspressedagainstmywrists,andacoldmetalbarrel—Ilaterrealizeditwasagun—dugintomyback.“Move,orwe’llshoot,”onehissedthroughgrittedteeth.Aweekearlier,I’dbeenluredbyanonlineadpromisinga“high-payingengineeringposition”withfreeaccommodationandamonthlysalaryof30,000yuan;now,Iunderstoodthiswasnothingbutatrapleadingtoafraudcompound.Thatcompoundwasalivingnightmare.Ten-foot-highconcretewallstoppedwithbarbedwiresurroundedthearea,andarmedguardspatrolledaroundtheclockwithriflesslungovertheirshoulders.Inside,dozensofpeoplehuddledoveroutdatedcomputers,theireyesbloodshotfrom18-hourworkdayswithonly30minutesofrestformeals.Thosewhorefusedtotrickpeopleintoinvestingmoneyonlineorsendingfakeloanapplicationsfacedbrutalpunishments:somewerebeatenwithrubberpipesuntiltheirskinturnedpurple,whileotherswerelockedina2-square-meterdarkroomwithoutfoodorwaterforuptothreedays.Ioncewitnesseda16-year-oldboyhavehisfingercrushedwithawrenchbecausehefailedtomeetthedaily“scamquota”of50,000yuan.Fearcoiledtightlyinmychest,butIknewescapewasmyonlychancetosurvive—evenifitmeantriskingmylife.Forthreeweeks,Ipretendedtobecompliantwhilesecretlyobservingeverydetailofthecompound.Inoticedthatthewestguardtowerhadashiftchangeatexactly2:15a.m.,andtheguardwhotookoveralwayssteppeddownfora2-minutesmokebreak,leavingthetowerunattended.Nearthattower,thefencehadaloosewire—aflawI’dspottedwhenIwasforcedtocleantheperimeter.Istoleasmallmetalfilefromtheworkshopwherewerepairedbrokencomputersandhiditinthesoleofmyshoe,waitingforarainynighttomufflethesoundofmyescape.Onthefifthnight,aheavydownpourbegan.At2:14a.m.,Islippedoutofthedormitorywhiletheothercaptivesslept.MyhandsshooksoviolentlythatIalmostdroppedthefileasIwidenedthegapinthefence.JustasIsqueezedthrough,agunshotechoedthroughtherain.“He’sescaping!”someoneshouted.Isprintedintothedensejungle,thornstearingatmyclothesandbranchesslappingmyface.Ididn’tstoprunninguntildawn,whenIcollapsedinamuddyfield,mylegstooweaktostand.ItwastherethatImet“UncleLi,”amiddle-agedmanwithakindsmilewhosaidhewasaChinesebusinessmanhelpingvictimsoffraudescape.“IcantakeyoutotheChina-Myanmarbordersafely,”hetoldme,handingmeabottleofwater.“AllIneedis5,000yuantocoverthebusfareandbribesfortheborderguards.”Ifeltasurgeofrelief,almostcrying—untilIglancedathisphone,whichhe’dleftunlockedonarock.Amessagepoppedup:“New‘cargo’forCompound3,20,000yuaneach.Readytodelivertomorrow.”Mybloodturnedtoice.Thiswasn’trescue;hewasjustanothertraffickersellingmetoadifferentfraudcamp.Ipretendedtoagree,tellinghimI’dhidethemoneyinmyclothes,thenranintothenearbyvillagewhenheturnedtobuybustickets.Fortwomoredays,Ihidinbarnsandbeggedforfoodfromlocalfarmerswhotookpityonme.Finally,onthethirdmorning,IsawtheChineseflagflutteringatabordercheckpoint.Ifelltomykneesandsobbeduncontrollably,tearsmixingwiththedirtonmyface.Theborderpoliceescortedmetothestationforquestioning;theyexplainedthatImightfacechargesfor“illegalentryintoMyanmarwithoutproperdocumentation.”ButasIsatinthatwarmroom,sippinghottea,Itoldthemfirmly:“I’dratherspend10yearsinaChinesejailthanonemoresecondinthathellishplace.”4.WhydidtheauthorinitiallydecidetogotoMyanmar?

A．HewasinvitedbyaChinesebusinessmantoworkthere.B．Herespondedtoanonlineadforawell-paidengineeringjob.C．HewantedtoinvestigatethefraudcompoundsinMyitkyina.D．Heplannedtohelpvictimsescapefromthefraudcamp.5.WhichdetailaboutthefraudcompoundisTRUEaccordingtothepassage?

A．Guardsworked18-hourshiftsandtookregularsmokebreaks.B．The16-year-oldboywasbeatenforrefusingtoscampeople.C．Captiveswereonlyallowed30minutesofrestperdayformeals.D．Thefencenearthewesttowerwasdeliberatelydamagedbytheauthor.6.Howdidtheauthorrealize“UncleLi”wasnotarealrescuer?

A．UncleLiaskedfor5,000yuantocovertravelexpenses.B．UncleLimentionedbribingborderguards,whichseemedsuspicious.C．Theauthorsawamessageaboutselling“cargo”onUncleLi’sphone.D．TheauthorrecognizedUncleLiasaguardfromtheoriginalcompound.7.Whatcanweinferfromtheauthor’sfinalstatement?

A．TheauthorbelievedthataChinesejailwouldbemorecomfortablethanthefraudcompound.B．TheauthorwaswillingtoacceptlegalpunishmentinChinaratherthanstayinMyanmar.C．Theauthorthought10yearsinjailwasafairpunishmentforhisillegalentry.D．TheauthorregrettedgoingtoMyanmarandhopedtoavoidjailtimeinChina.(★★★)Imagineaworldwheremoneyceasestoexist—wherewalkingintoastore,pickingupalaptop,aloafofbread,oradesignerdressrequiresnoexchangeofcash,creditcards,ordigitalpayments.Atfirstglance,thismightseemlikeautopia:nomorepoverty,nomoredebt,nomorestressovermakingendsmeet.Butbeneaththesurface,suchaworldwouldtriggerprofound,andoftenunsettling,shiftsinhumansociety,economics,andevenpsychology.Tostart,theglobaleconomyasweknowitwouldcollapse.Forcenturies,moneyhasservedasa“mediumofexchange”thatsimplifiestrade—afarmercansellwheatformoney,thenusethatmoneytobuytools,insteadofbarteringwheatdirectlyfortools(whichrequiresfindingsomeonewhobothneedswheatandhastoolstospare).Withoutmoney,barteringwouldreturn,butonachaoticscale.Ateacherwhowantsanewcarwouldneedtofindacarmanufacturerwillingtotradeavehiclefor,say,500hoursoftutoring—andthemanufacturerwouldthenneedtofindsomeonewhowantstutoringinexchangeforpartstobuildmorecars.Thischainofbarterwouldquicklybreakdown,leadingtoshortagesofessentialgoodsasproductionslowswithoutaclearwaytovaluelaborandresources.Resourceallocationwouldbecomeanothercrisis.Inamoneylessworld,peoplemighthoardgoods“justincase”—eveniftheydon’tneedthemimmediately.Imaginewalkingintoagrocerystoretofindshelvesempty,notbecauseoflowsupply,butbecauseothershavetaken10cartonsofmilkeach,fearingfuturescarcity.Thishoardingwouldcreateartificialshortages,makingitharderforthosewhotrulyneedgoods(likeaparentneedingbabyformula)toaccessthem.Governmentsmightstepintorationresources,butenforcingrationingwouldrequirestrictoversight—andpotentiallylimitpersonalfreedominwaysthatmanywouldresist.Perhapsmostsurprisingly,theendofmoneycouldreshapehumanmotivation.Today,manypeopleworktoearnmoneytosupporttheirfamilies,pursuehobbies,orsaveforthefuture.Withoutmoney,the“reward”forworkwouldshifttootherfactors:personalfulfillment,socialrecognition,orthedesiretocontributetosociety.Forsome,thiswouldbeliberating—adoctormightfocusontreatingpatientsratherthanworryingaboutinsurancepayments,oranartistmightcreateartpurelyforpassion.Butforothers,thelossoffinancialincentivecouldleadtolaziness.Whywork40hoursaweekinafactoryifyoucangeteverythingyouneedforfree?Thiscouldreduceproductivity,furtherworseningshortagesofgoodsandservices.Evensocialrelationshipsmightchange.Moneyoftenactsasa“neutral”factorininteractions—payingastrangertofixyourbikeisaclear,one-timeexchange.Withoutmoney,interactionscouldbecomemorecomplicated:ifyouaskaneighbortofixyourbike,you’dowethemafavorinreturn,creatingawebofobligationsthatmightstrainrelationships.Overtime,thiscouldleadtotheformationofsmall,tight-knitgroupswherepeoplerelyoneachotherforfavors—excludingthosewhodon’tfitin,andpotentiallyrevivingformsofinequalitythatmoneyoncemasked.Amoneylessworld,then,isnotthesimpleutopiaitappearstobe.Itwouldchallengeourassumptionsaboutwork,value,andcommunity—andforceustoconfrontdifficultquestionsaboutwhatmakesasocietyfairandfunctional.8.Whatdoestheauthorthinkisthemostdirectconsequenceofamoneylessworldforglobaltrade?

A．Thereturnofbarteringwoulddisrupttheexistingtradesystem.B．Farmerswouldstruggletoselltheircropstotoolmanufacturers.C．Carmanufacturerswouldfaceshortagesofproductionparts.D．Essentialgoodswoulddisappearfromthemarketcompletely.9.Whywouldresourcerationingbygovernmentsbedifficulttoimplementinamoneylessworld?

A．Mostpeoplewouldrefusetoaccepttheauthorityofthegovernment.B．Therewouldbenowaytocalculatetheexactamountofresourcesneeded.C．Thecostofenforcingrationingwouldbetoohighforgovernmentstobear.D．Itwouldrestrictpersonalfreedom,whichmanypeoplewouldoppose.10.Whichviewabouttheimpactofamoneylessworldonworkdoestheauthorsupport?

A．Doctorswouldstopcaringaboutpatientsiftheydon’tearnmoney.B．Artistswouldlosetheirpassionforcreationwithoutfinancialrewards.C．Somepeoplemightlosemotivationtoworkduetolackofmoney.D．Mostpeoplewouldchoosetoworkforsocialrecognitioninsteadofmoney.11.Whatistheauthor’smainconclusionaboutamoneylessworld?

A．Itwouldbeautopiawherepovertyanddebtnolongerexist.B．Itwouldbringmorechallengesthanbenefitstohumansociety.C．Itwouldcompletelychangethewaypeopleinteractwitheachother.D．Itwouldsolvemosteconomicproblemsbutcreatesocialissues.二、其他(★★)12.LilafoundaleathernotebookintheparkonMonday—itscoverhadafaintcoffeestain,andthefirstpageheldahandwrittenaddress:“12MapleStreet.”Shemeanttoreturnit,butworkkeptherbusy,soshetuckeditinherbag.ByWednesday,she’dforgottenaboutituntilherneighborMrs.Halementionedlosinganotebook“withacoffeemark”lastweek.Lilarushedhometogetit,butwhenshehandedittoMrs.Hale,theolderwomanfrowned.“Thisisn’tmine,”shesaid.“Minehadapoemonthefirstpage,notanaddress.”Confused,Lilaflippedthroughthenotebook—halfwaythrough,shesawaphotoofagirlwithadog.Sherecognizedthedog:itbelongedtoMr.Torres,wholivedat12MapleStreet.Thatevening,Lilawentto12MapleStreet.AteenagernamedMiaansweredthedoor.WhenLilashowedherthenotebook,Mia’seyeswidened.“Thisismymom’s!Shelostitlastmonth,butshesaidsheleftitatthecafé,notthepark.”Justthen,Mia’smom,Clara,walkedin.Shesmiledwhenshesawthenotebook,thenpaused.“Wait—howdidyoufinditinthepark?IdroppeditatGreenCafé,butthecaféownersaidamantookit,sayinghe’dreturnittome.”Lilathoughtforasecond—Mrs.Hale’slostnotebook,themanatthecafé,theaddress.“DoyouknowMrs.Halefromnextdoor?”sheasked.Claranodded.“She’smyaunt.Sheborrowedmynotebookoncetowriteapoem…Oh!”Theybothlaughed—Mrs.Halemusthavemixedupthenotebooks,thenleftClara’sintheparkbyaccident.Lilahandedoverthenotebook,andClarapromisedtogiveMrs.Haleacalltosortoutherownlostone.请考生阅读以上文本的内容，然后用不超过50词的一段话将文本的主要内容复述出来。（作答语言依旧是英文）__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________三、阅读理解(★★★)Urbanareasaroundtheworldarefacingagrowingissue:theriseofstrayanimals,includingcatsanddogs.Theseanimalsoftenstruggletofindfoodandshelter,andtheycanalsoposeriskstopublichealthifnotproperlymanaged.13However,withtherightstrategies,communitiescanturnthetideandcreateasafer,morecompassionateenvironmentforbothhumansandstrayanimals.Oneeffectivestepistoestablishcommunityfeedingstations.14Thesestationsshouldbeplacedinquiet,low-trafficareastoavoiddisturbingresidents,andtheyshouldberegularlycleanedtopreventthespreadofdisease.Byprovidingconsistentfoodsources,communitiescanreducethenumberofstrayanimalswanderingthestreetsinsearchofmeals—whichalsolowerstheriskofconflictsbetweenstraysandhumans.Anotherkeymeasureistopromotetrap-neuter-return(TNR)programs.15Insteadofeuthanizingstrayanimals(acommonbutinhumanepracticeinsomeareas),TNRinvolvestrappingstrays,havingthemspayedorneuteredbyaveterinarian,andthenreturningthemtotheiroriginallocation.Thisnotonlycontrolsthestraypopulationovertimebutalsohelpskeephealthyanimalsintheirfamiliarhabitats,wheretheyarelesslikelytobecomeaggressive.Educationalsoplaysacrucialroleinstrayanimalprotection.16Manypeopleabandonpetsbecausetheycannotaffordmedicalcareordonotunderstandtheresponsibilityofpetownership.Localorganizationscanhostworkshopsonpetcare,offerlow-costvaccinationservices,andraiseawarenessabouttheconsequencesofabandoninganimals.Whenresidentsunderstandtheissues,theyaremorelikelytosupportprotectionefforts—andlesslikelytocontributetotheproblem.Finally,buildingpartnershipsbetweenlocalgovernments,animalshelters,andcommunitymembersisessential.17Forexample,shelterscanprovidetheresourcesforTNRprograms,whilevolunteerscanhelpmonitorfeedingstationsandreportsickorinjuredstrays.Governmentscanpasslawsthatbananimalabandonmentandfundspay-neuterservices.Wheneveryoneworkstogether,theimpactofstrayanimalprotectioneffortsmultipliessignificantly.

A．Theseprogramsaredesignedtocontrolthestrayanimalpopulationwithoutharmingthem.B．Strayanimalscancarrydiseaseslikerabies,whichcanbetransmittedtohumansandotherpets.C．Feedingstraysdirectlyonthestreetcanleadtolitterandattractpestslikerats,soorganizedstationsarebetter.D．Manypeopleareafraidofstrayanimalsandwantthemtoberemovedfromtheirneighborhoodsimmediately.E．Somecommunitieshaveevenstarted“strayfriend”programs,wherevolunteerscheckonlocalstraysdaily.F．Withoutsuchpartnerships,individualeffortstoprotectstrayanimalsoftenfailtomakealong-termdifference.G．Petownersshouldberequiredtoregistertheiranimalsandkeepthemonleashesinpublicareastopreventloss.四、完形填空(★★★)LiHuastaredathiscollegeadmissionletterwithmixedfeelings.His602-pointGaokaoscorehadearnedhimaspotatatop211university,butuncertainty________hisexcitement—untilastudy-abroadagentreachedout.“TheQSrankingofthat211isover1,000,”theagentsaid,slidingabrochureacrossthetable.“ButthisMalaysianuniversityranks200-oddglobally—ahuge________ininternationalrecognition.”LiHuafrowned;he’dneverheardoftheschool,buttheagent________himwithglossyrankingscharts.“Chinese985softenget________inQSbecauseofbiasedevaluationcriteria,notpoorquality,”theagentadmitted,“butemployersonlylookatthenumbers.”Temptedbythe“globaladvantage,”LiHua________the211offer.Theagentpromisedsmoothadmission,________notmentioninganyentryrequirements.ItwasonlyafterarrivinginMalaysiathathe________thetruth:theuniversityacceptedstudentswithoutGaokaoscores,andhis“prestigious”programwasfilledwithChinesepeerswho’dpaidtheagent’s________fees.Fouryearslater,LiHuareturnedhomewithhisdegree,________forjobinterviews.Butdisappointmenthithard.“YourMalaysianschoolhasnoreputationhere,”anHRmanagertoldhim.“We’dratherhirea211graduatewithprovenacademic________.”LiHuacheckedjobboardsandfoundthatevenmid-sizedcompanies________domestic211/985degreesoverunrecognizedoverseasones.Hetriedcallingtheagent,butthenumberwas________.Aformerclassmaterevealedtheagenthadpocketedtensofthousandsfromeachstudent,________falserankingstoprofit.LiHuafeltasharp________ofregret—he’dtradedaguaranteed211educationforauselessdegree.Sittinginhisoldbedroom,LiHuaflippedthroughhisGaokaoscorereport.He’doncehadaclearpath,but________andmisinformationhadledhimastray.TheQSrankingtheagenthadhypedsomuchturnedouttobeameaninglessnumberintheeyesofChineseemployers.18.A．balancedB．dulledC．confirmedD．deepened19.A．leapB．challengeC．declineD．difference20.A．distractedB．pressuredC．convincedD．warned21.A．trappedB．ignoredC．favoredD．shortchanged22.A．declinedB．acceptedC．reservedD．exchanged23.A．proudlyB．deliberatelyC．accidentallyD．briefly24.A．uncoveredB．hidC．admittedD．forgot25.A．reasonableB．hiddenC．modestD．illegal26.A．readyB．anxiousC．gratefulD．late27.A．freedomB．backgroundC．privacyD．curiosity28.A．doubtedB．preferredC．questionedD．abandoned29.A．busyB．recordedC．disconnectedD．answered30.A．makingupB．relyingonC．checkingoutD．holdingonto31.A．senseB．fearC．pityD．anger32.A．ambitionB．ignoranceC．cautionD．patience五、语法填空(★★★)The“JiangPingIncident”stirrednationwidedebatein2024,exposingtherisksof“myth-making”inthedigitalera.The17-year-oldsecondaryvocationalstudent33(catapult)tofameovernightafterAlibaba’smathcontestlistedherasafinalistwithahighscore,ararefeatforsomeone34hereducationalbackground.Mediaoutletsquicklyjumpedonthestory,35(paint)herasa“geniusgirl”whooutperformedtopuniversitystudents.Thisnarrativeresonateddeeply,36itfitthepublic’slongingfor“grassrootssuccess.”However,doubtssoonemerged:netizensnoticedmatherrorsinherpromotionalvideos,andherpastexamscores(onceaslowas51/150)37(contradict)the“genius”label.Whenthefinalawardlistcameout,Jiang’snamewas38(nowhere)tobefound.Thecontestorganizerlaterannouncedherscore39(be)invalid—herteacherhadillegallyhelpedherduringtheexam.The“genius”mythcollapsed,leavingthepublic40(feel)cheated.Thisincidenthighlightedmediairresponsibility.Manyoutletschasedclicksblindly41verifyingfacts,fuelingthefalsenarrative.Italsotaughtinternetusersalesson:criticalthinkingisessential42avoidingbeingmisledbysensationalstories.Onlywhentruthreplaceshypecanwebuildatrustworthyonlineenvironment.六、书信写作(★★★)43.假定你是韩晨西，你和同学们对学校食堂的服务和菜品有一些意见和改进想法。请你根据以下提示，给学校后勤处(SchoolLogisticsDepartment)写一封建议书(proposal)，提出具体改进建议。提示：1.菜品方面；2.服务方面；3.环境方面。要求：1.词数100左右；2.条理清晰，建议具体可行；3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。DearSir/Madam,I’mHanChenxi,astudentfromClass3,Grade2.I’mwritingtoputforwardsomeproposalsforimprovingourschoolcanteen,asmanyclassmateshavesharedtheirfeelingsaboutitscurrentsituation.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ibelievethesesuggestionswillhelpmakethecanteenabetterplaceforallstudents.Thankyouforyourconsideration.Yoursfaithfully,HanChenxi七、书面表达(★★★★)44.IstillrememberthefirstdayIwalkedintotheclassroomofClass2,Grade7,withmyheadhunglow.Myjuniorhighschoolentranceexamresultswerelaidoutontheteacher’sdesk,andmyChinesescore—amere62outof150—wascircledinbrightred,likeawarningsignthateveryonecouldsee.Whentheheadteacher,Mr.Wang,calledmynametohandmethereportcard,hisvoicewascold:“LiMing,yourChineseistheworstintheentiregrade.Ifyoucan’tpullthisup,don’tevendreamofstayinginthiskeyclass,letalonegettingintoseniorhighschool.”Thewordshungintheair,andIcouldfeeltheeyesofmyclassmatesburningintomyback.Someheldbacksnickers,whileotherswhispered,“Nowonderhedidn’tsayawordduringtheChinesediscussionjustnow.”Fromthatdayon,Ibecamethe“Chinesefailure”oftheclass.EveryChineseclassturnedintoanightmare.OurfirstChineseteacher,Ms.Zhang,hadashorttemper;wheneversheaskedaquestionandnooneanswered,shewouldalwaysglanceatmefirst.“LiMing,doyouknowtheanswer?Orareyoutoobusydaydreamingtolisten?”she’dsnap,evenwhenIwasactuallystaringatthetextbook,mymindblankwithanxiety.Once,wehadaquizonancientpoetry.Ispentthenightbeforecramming,butwhenIsawthetestpaper,myhandsshooksomuchIcouldbarelyholdthepen.Ionlymanagedtowritehalftheanswers,andwhenMs.Zhanghandedbackthepapers,sheslammedmineonmydesksohardthattheinkjarshook.“38outof100!You’renoteventrying!”sheshoutedinfrontofthewholeclass.“Atthisrate,you’llendupdroppingoutbeforegraduation.”Thatday,Istayedintheclassroomafterschool,staringattheredmarksonthepaperuntilmyeyesstung.Ithought,“IfeventheteacherthinksI’mhopeless,whybothertrying?”SoIgaveup.IstoppedbringingmyChinesetextbooktoclass,skippedhomework,andwhenMs.Zhangassignedessays,I’dcopypassagesfromstorybooksjusttofillthepages.Themoreshescoldedme,themoreIresisted—itwasmywayofprotectingmyselffromfeelinglikeacompleteloser.Thiscycleofapathyandcriticismwentonforawholesemester.BytheendofGrade7,myChinesescorehaddroppedto55,andI’dstoppedtalkingtomostclassmates,afraidthey’dmakefunofme.Ievenavoidedtheschoollibrary,whereI’doncelovedtoreadnovels,becauseIdidn’twantanyonetoseemeneartheChinesebookshelves.EverythingchangedwhenMs.LintransferredtoourschoolasthenewChineseteacherinthesecondsemesterofGrade8.Istillrememberherfirstday:shewalkedintotheclassroomwithastackofbooksinherarms,wearingalightbluedress,andhereyescrinkledintoasmilewhenshesaid,“Hello,everyone.I’mLinYuting,andI’llbeyourChineseteacherfromnowon.”UnlikeMs.Zhang’ssharptone,Ms.Lin’svoicewassoft,likewarmwater.Shedidn’tcalloutanyone’sgradesorcriticizethosewhodidn’tanswerquestions;instead,shetoldusstoriesaboutthepoetswewerelearning—howLiBaiwanderedthecountrywithawineflask,howDuFucriedforhiscountryintimesofwar.Forthefirsttimeinmonths,IfoundmyselflisteningtoaChineseclasswithoutfeelinganxious.Attheendofherfirstclass,Ms.Linassignedhomework:50classicalChinesetranslationexercisesfromthetextbook,eachrequiringustotranslatetheoriginaltext,notedownkeywords,andexplainthegrammaticalstructures.WhenIheardthenumber“50,”Isighed.Noteacherhadevercheckedmorethan10exercisesbefore—Ms.Zhangusuallyjustglancedatthefirstpageandmarked“completed.”Sothatnight,Ididn’tevenopenthetextbook.Iborrowedmydeskmate’shomeworkafterclassthenextmorning