四川省凉山州2026届高中毕业班第一次诊断性考试英语试题（含答案无听力原文及音频）

四川省凉山州2026届高中毕业班第一次诊断性考试英语试题本试卷分选择题和非选择题两部分。第Ⅰ卷(选择题)第1至7页，第Ⅱ卷(非选择题)第8页，答题卷2页，共计10页，满分150分，考试时间120分钟。注意事项：1.答题前，考生务必将自己的姓名、座位号、准考证号用0.5毫米的黑色签字笔填写在答题卡上，并检查条形码粘贴是否正确。2.选择题使用2B铅笔涂在答题卡对应题目标号的位置上；非选择题用0.5毫米黑色签字笔书写在答题卡的对应框内，超出答题区域书写的答案无效；在草稿纸、试卷上答题无效。3.考试结束后，将答题卡收回。第Ⅰ卷第一部分听力(共两节，满分30分)做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上。第一节(共5小题；每小题1.5分，满分7.5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。例:Howmuchistheshirt?A.£19.15. B.£9.18. C.£9.15.答案是C。1.Whatdoesthemanlikemostaboutthebook?A.Thecharacters. B.Thestyle. C.Thestory.2.Whereisthenotebook?A.Onthedesk. B.Inthedrawer. C.Inthebackpack.3.Whatwilltheweatherbeliketomorrow?A.Rainyinthemorning. B.Cloudyallday. C.Sunnyintheafternoon.4.WhatwillthespeakersdothisSunday?A.Enjoyroseblossoms. B.Seecherryblossoms. C.Watchbutterflies.5.Whatdoesthemandotorelax?A.Playsomemusic. B.Cookforhisfamily. C.Cleanthekitchen.第二节(共15小题;每小题1.5分,满分22.5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，回答第6、7题。6.Whatkindofexhibitionwilltheyvisit?A.Art. B.Science. C.History.7.Whatistheprobablerelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A.Colleagues. B.Couple. C.Classmates.听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。8.Whoisthewomanmostlikelytobe?A.Theman'steacher. B.Theman'smother. C.Theman'sclassmate.9.Howdoesthewomanfeelabouttheman'sdraft?A.Satisfied. B.Disappointed. C.Confused.10.Whenisthepaperdue?A.ThisFriday. B.NextMonday. C.NextWednesday.听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。11.Whatbenefitdoesthecaféofferpart-timers?A.Freebooks. B.Freemeals. C.A20%discount.12.Howlongdoesthebookstoreneedpart-timesdaily?A.2hours. B.3hours. C.4hours.13.Whatdoesthemanprefertodo?A.Workinthecafé. B.Stayathome. C.Workinthebookstore.听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。14.Whatisthewoman'sjob?A.Areporter. B.Aplanner. C.Aphotographer.15.Whatisthe"GreenCity"projectmainlyabout?A.Buildingparks. B.Savingoldbuildings. C.Addingbusroutes.16.Whatistheproject'smainsuccesssofar?A.Gettingpublicsupport. B.Finishingacenter. C.Cuttingpollution.17.Whydoesthewomanwanttovisittheprojectsite?A.Toofferfundingsupport. B.Tojointheplanningteam. C.Tocollectmaterials.听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。18.Whyisthespeakertalking?A.Tofindvolunteers. B.Topromoteacourse. C.Toexplainaprogram.19.Whoaretheintendedlisteners?A.Primarystudents. B.Highschoolstudents. C.Collegestudents.20.WhatwillMrRobertsdonext?A.Answerquestions. B.Receiveapplications. C.Motivatestudents.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。AIn2026,globaltravelerscanembarkonajourneyofdiversediscoveries.Now,let'stakeacloserlookattheuniqueofferingsofeachdestination.Manila,PhilippinesThe2026MichelinGuidehighlightsMetroManila'sexcitingfoodscene,ablendofSpanish,Chinese,andMalayinfluences.Frombustlingmarketsnackstoinnovativefinedining,thecityoffersdiverseculinaryexperiences.RestaurantslikeToyoEateryandKondwiservemoderntakesontraditionaldishes,whileestablishedbakeriesinChinatownprovideatasteofthecountry'srichhistorythroughpastriesandcakes.Beijing,ChinaBeijingoffersnewculturalexperiencesin2026,withitsrecentlyUNESCO-listedCentralAxisnowservedbyasightseeingbuslinkingkeysitesliketheTempleofHeavenandtheForbiddenCity.MoreMingTombswillopentovisitors,whilesectionsoftheGreatWallhostilluminatednighttours.AnewhikingtrailhasbeenaddedatZhoukoudian.Québec,CanadaNibiischiiPark,Quebec'o'snewestnationalpark,protectsover4,000squaremilesoflakecountryintheEeyouIstcheeJamesBayregion.AaccessibleviaAirCreebecfromMontréaltoChibougamau,itincludesthevastAlbanel-Mistassini-and-WaoniechiLakeswildlifereserve.VisitorscanstayatWaconichiLake'swaterfrontcabinsorfloatingchalets,exploreacliffsidesuspensionbridge,andjoinGreek-ledwinteractivities.Rabat,MoroccoRabat,Morocco'scoastalcapital,blendsancienthistorywithmodernstyle.Explorethe12th-centuryCasbahofOudaya,theFrench-builtVilleNouvelle,andnewlandmarkslikeZahaHadid'sRoyalTheaterandtheMohammadVITower.TheMohammadVIMuseumhighlightsmodernMoroccoandAfricanart,andasaUNESCOWorldBookCapital,Rabathostsliteraryeventsyear-round.21.WhatisthespecialfeatureofManila?A.IthasafoodsceneinfluencedmainlybySpanishcuisine.B.IthasauniquemixofSpanish,Chinese,andMalayculinaryinfluences.C.ItsmostfamousrestaurantsareonlyfoundintheChinatowndistrict.D.Itsfoodcultureisprimarilydesignedforinternationaltourists.22.Wherewillyougoifyouloveanimals?A.Manila. B.Rabat. C.Beijing. D.Quebec.23.WhatdoBeijingandRabathaveincommon?A.TheyarebothrecognizedbyUNESCO.B.Theybothofferchancesforliteraryevents.C.Theyarebothfamousfortheirwinteractivities.D.Theybothhavenewlyopenedhikingtrails.BIt'snevertoolatetopursueyourdreams.TohHongKeng,whohasbecomeoneoftheoldest,ifnottheoldest,medicalgraduateintheworld,gothisdegreefromSouthwesternUniversityPHINMA.Afterdecadesworkingasatechseller,Tohretiredin2019.Afewdayslater,hebeganstudyingandapplyingtomedicalschoolsaroundAsia.“TheonlyreasonwhyIdecidedtostudymedicinewasthatIwantedtodosomethinguseful,”hesaid.OneoftheobstaclesTohmetwasfindingauniversitythatwouldadmithim,asmostarejustforapplicantsunder35or40.OnceadmittedtoSouthwesternUniversityPHINMA,hedealtwiththeschoolclosuresduetotheCOVID-19pandemicandtookallofhislecturesonline.“Studyingmedicineishard.It'sjusthardwork,”Tohsaid.Hewasn'tgivenspecialtreatment.Hewasheldbackayearafterfailinganexaminhisthirdyear.Andliketherestofhisclassmates,inhisfinalyear,Tohwasrequiredtocompleteaone-yearplacement(实习工作)atahospital,withsomeshiftslastingupto30hours.That'swhyhisfamilyandclassmatesoftenvisitedhim,inspiringhimtokeepgoing.“Iwasinitiallysurprisedandcuriousaboutwhyhewantedtobecomeadoctorathisage,”oneofhisclassmatesMaxsaid.“Despitebeingolder,Tohwasnolessofastudent.Hewasreallycompetitive,andatrueinspiration.I'mproudtohavegraduatedalongsidesucharemarkableindividual.”Now,Tohisnotsureifhe'lltaketheextracoursesneededtobecomeapracticingdoctor,buthehasamessageforanyonewithsimilardreams:“Ifyouhaveadreamtobeamedicaldoctor,youcanstilldoitatanyage.”24.WhydidTohHongKengdecidetostudymedicineafterretirement?A.Toprovehecandoanything. B.Tomakemoremoneyafterretirement.C.Toachievesomethingmeaningful. D.Tosetaworld-ratedrecord.25.WhatwasthedifficultyTohHongKengencounteredbeforestartinghisstudies?A.Adaptingtotherequirementsofonlinelearning.B.Findingamedicalschoolthatwouldaccepthim.C.Completinglongshiftsduringhishospitalplacement.D.Copingwiththefailureofanimportantexamination.26.HowdidMaxviewTohHongKengafterstudyingtogether?A.HefeltsorryforToh'sage.B.HeconsideredTohlesscapable.C.HewasinspiredbyToh'sdetermination.D.HehelpedTohwithhisstudies.27.WhatcanwelearnfromTohHongKeng'sstory?A.Medicalschoolrequiresimmensededicationandhardwork.B.Personalambitionshouldnotbelimitedbyone'sage.C.Universitiesshouldreconsidertheiragerestrictionpolicies.D.Supportfromfamilyiscrucialforachievingdifficultgoals.CScientistsareusingsomeunusualhelpersintheireffortstopredictearthquakes,volcaniceruptions,andothernaturalphenomena.Theyaresigningupthousandsofdogs,goats,andotherfarmyardanimals——aswellasawiderangeofwildlife——instudiesthatwillmonitortheirmovementsfromspace.Theprogramusestinyequipmentfittedtoanimals.Theirmovementswillbetrackedfromspace."Theaimisnotonlytostudyhowtheyreacttoupcomingnaturaleventsbutalsotoexamineanimalmigration,thespreadofdiseasesamonganimals,andtheimpactofclimatechange,"saidprojectleaderMartinWikelski."EarlyexperimentsinSicilyonthesidesofMountEtnahaveshownpromisingresults,"said工ikelski."Wehavefoundthatthebehaviorofgoatsisquiteeffectiveinpredictinglargevolcaniceruptions."Theanimalsbecomenervousbeforeaneruptionandrefusetogotohigherareastheywouldusuallyvisitgladly."Theyhaveapremonitionofwhatiscoming.Wedon'tknowhowtheydoit,buttheydo,"saidWikelski.Similarly,researchersmonitoringdogs,sheep,andotherfarmanimalsintheAbruzzomountainsfoundthattheseanimalshadforeseensevenoutofeightmajorearthquakesintheregionoverthepast12years."Wearenowabletotrackmostthings,"addedWikelski."Forexample,wecansurveywildlifehealthfromspace,"hesaid.Electroniceartagsfittedtowildpigsweighonly30grams.Changesinananimal'smovementsshowifthepigdevelopsadisease.Knowingwhenadiseaseoutbreakoccursinthewildcanhelpcontrolitsimpactonfarms,researcherssay."Thisisabigchangeforwildlifediseasemonitoring,"saidKevinMorelle,ascientistattheMaxPlanckInstitute.Thetechnologyshouldalsohelpscientistsunderstandtheprocessesthatdrive迁migraes.Theirmovementscouldsoonuncoverthesecretbehindthe2,000-mile迁migraestheymakebetweenEuropeandAfricaeveryyear."Wewillalsobeabletostudyhowanimalpopulationsreacttohabitatchangescausedbyglobalwarming,"saidWikelski.28.Whatisthemainpurposeoftheprogrammentionedinthetext?A.Totrackanimalmigrationroutesglobally.B.Toresearchtheimpactofclimatechangeonwildlife.C.Tomonitorthespreadofdiseasesamongfarmanimals.D.Topredictnaturaldisastersandstudyecologicalissues.29.Whatdoestheunderlinedphrase“haveapremonitionof”inparagraph3mean?A.Guessrandomly. B.Predictinadvance.C.Ignoreinstinctively. D.Monitoronpurpose.30.Whyareelectroniceartagsfittedtowildpigs?A.Tokeeptrackoftheirmigrationpaths.B.Tostudytheirreactiontoglobalwarming.C.Tomonitortheirhealthanddiseaseoutbreaks.D.Topredictvolcaniceruptionsinthisregion.31.Whatcanweinferaboutthetechnologyinstudying迁migra tions?A.Itfocusesonhowhabitatchangesaffectmigrationroutes.B.Ithasalreadyuncoveredthesecretof2,000-mile迁migra-tions.C.Itismainlyusedtotrackendangeredspeciesduring迁migra-tions.D.Itwillhelpexplainthereasonsbehindanimals’long-distancejourneys.DChinaisexperiencingasurgeingenerativeartificialintelligenceusage,withmillionsembracingthetechnologyanditsapplicationsexpandingacrossvariousfields,accordingtoareportbytheChinaInternetNetworkInformationCenter.AsofDecemberlastyear,249millionpeopleinthecountryhadusedAI-generatedproducts,and302AI-poweredserviceswereregisteredwiththeCyberspaceAdministrationofChina,thenation'stopInternetregulator.Oftheusers,65.4percentwerebetweenage20and39,and47percentheldassociatedegreesorhigher,indicatingAIproductsaremorewidelyusedamongmiddle-agedandhighlyeducatedindividuals.WhilemanyusersrelyonAIasofficeassistants,thereportalsohighlightedanincreasingtrendofgeneratingpicturesandvideosthroughAIservices.About78per-centofusersaskedquestionsthroughAI-poweredplatformstoseekanswersorsolutions,withothersusingthetechnologytointegrateinformationandgeneratemeetingsummaries.AIapplicationshaveexpandedintoareassuchasliterarycreation,onlinemarketing,legalconsulting,softwareengineeringandhealthcare.Theyarealsoimprovingefficiencyintraditionalmanufacturingsectors,thereportnoted,attributingtheprogresstopoliciesandguidelinessupportingthehealthyandsustainabledevelopmentofAItechnologies.BetweenJanuaryandSeptemberlastyear,nineprovincial-leveladministrationsreleasedplansormeasurestopromoteAI-relatedindustries,highlightinggovernmentalsupportforinnovationandoversightofitsdevelopment.“AmidthesurgeofAI,timelypoliciesandmeasuresencouragemajorfunds,privatecapitalandlargeenterprisestoinvestinthetechnologicalindustry,”saidZhangXiao,deputyheadofthecenter.“Atthesametime,theyhelpbalanceindustrialgrowthwithsecurity.”ThereportsaidChinarecorded504AI-relatedinvestmentandfinancingcasesinthefirstthreequartersoflastyear,involvingabout81.2billionyuan.Chinanowhasmorethan4,500AI-relatedenterprises,coveringareassuchascomputerchips,algorithmsandInternetplatforms,Zhangsaid.Shepraisedthetechnology'sroleinindustrialintegration,notingitscontributionstoincreasingagriculturaloutputandreducingmanufacturingcostsbyimprovingproductiontoolsandimprovingservices.32.HowdoestheauthorsupportthereportthatAIiswidelyusedamongChinesepeople?A.Byprovidingnumericaldata. B.Byquotingascientificstudy.C.Bygivingaspecificexample. D.BycomparingAIapplications.33.Whatistheauthor'sattitudetowardtheroleofAIintraditionalmanufacturingsectors?A.Optimistic. B.Skeptical. C.Neutral. D.Critical.34.Whatcanbeconcludedfromtheprovincial-levelplansreleasedlastyear?A.ThenumberofAI-relatedenterprisesisdecliningnationwide.B.AItechnologiesarefacingstrictregulatoryrestrictionsinChina.C.LocalgovernmentsareactivelycompetingtoattractAIinvestments.D.ThecentralgovernmentplaceshighvalueonAIdevelopment.35.Whichofthefollowingcanbethebesttitleforthispassage?A.TheRiseofAIInvestment:ARecentTrendB.AIApplications:EncouragedinOfficeandCreativeSectorsC.AIUsersinChina:YoungandHighlyEducatedIndividualsD.China'sAIIndustry:RawdExpansionwithStrongSupport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。36Itisthepracticeofmakinglifeeasierbyclearingoutandlettinggo,tryingtomakelifesimplerandhappier.Forexample,minimalists(极简主义者)throwawaythingstheydon'tneedandfocusonbuildingstrongfriendshipsinsteadofhavingtoomanyfriendstheydon'tcaremuchabout.Thisyear,minimalismhasbecomemorepopular,withmanypeoplesharingtheirminimalisthabitsonline.Thetopic"minimalism"onXiaohongshuhasalreadyreachedover3.1billionviews."IthelpsmethinkaboutwhyIcaresomuchaboutmaterialthingsinsteadofmyself,"oneusershared.Whileminimalismhasitsgoodpoints,italsohassomeproblems.Minimalistsoftentrytocontroleverypartoftheirlives,whichcanleadtoworryingtoomuchandchasingperfection.37Whentheycan'tkeepupwiththisidea,theymayfeelupset.38Besidescuttingextraspending,theymightcutbackonsocialactivitiesandspendlesstimewithothers."Whenapersonleadsaminimalistlifewithoutmakingfriendsandgoingafterthingstheylike,itcanhurttheiremotionalresilience,"saidChenJunjie,vice-presidentoftheYuhuanPsychologicalHealthAssociation.Withoutastrongsupportsystem,peoplemayfeellonelyandmissoutonhelpwhenfacingchallenges,holdingthembackfromtryingnewthingsordreamingbig.39Inshort,whileminimalismencouragespeopletolivemorecarefully,takingittoofarcanmakelifefeellessrich.Youngpeopleshouldtrytofindamiddleground.40A.Areyouarealminimalist?B.Haveyoueverheardofminimalism?C.Someyoungpeopleeventakeminimalismtoofar.D.Therefore,remembertostayactiveandconnectedwhilelivingsimply.E.Thiscanalsohurttheircreativityandexcitementforlifeintheprocess.F.Apersonoftenspendsagesdecidingwhethertobuythisunnecessarything.G.Thepressuretomakeeverypartoflifeperfectcanmakepeoplefeelstressed.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四个选项中选出最佳选项。Itwassummervacation,andBowers,acollegestudent,wastravelingaloneinacityshehadlongedtovisit.Weeksearlier,shehad41herrouteandbookedacozy,affordableguesthouseinsteadofafancyhotel.Afterafulldayexploringtouristattractions,Bowersreturnedexhausted.Shetookawarmshowerandwenttobedearly,hopingforagood42.Inthemiddleofthenight,Bowerswassuddenly43byastrange,clickingnoise.Themoonlightshonefaintlythroughthewindow,makingtheroomlookabit44.Herheartbeatingfast,shegotoutofbedandwalkedquietlytowardsthedoor.Toher45,shesawthedoorknob(把手)turninglittlebylittle.Feargrippedher,butshequicklymadeherself46.Lookingthroughtheeye-hole,shesawamanholdingsomethingandtryinghardtoopenthedoorwithit.Sheknewthatthebadguywouldcomeinverysoon.47,itwastoolatetoturntoothersforhelp.Butshehadtodosomethingimmediatelytostophimfrom48theroom.Suddenly,sherememberedwhatherdadhadtoldherbefore:“Ifyou're49,trytomakethebadguysthinkthereareotherpeoplewithyou.”Bowersdecidedtotryherfather's50.“Mom,wakeup!Ithinksomeone'stryingtobreakin!”sheshouted,makinghervoicesoundasconfidentaspossible.Sheevenchangedhervoiceslightlywhenrespondingtoher51companion,saying,“Let'scallthepolicefirst.Theywillbehereintwominutes!”Toherrelief,the52noisesuddenlystopped,andsheheardrapidfootstepsmovingawayfromherdoor.Withoutdelay,Bowersdialedthepolice,whoarrivedquickly.Afterlisteningattentively,thepoliceofficerscouldn'thelpbut53Bowersforherbraveryandquick-wit.Witha54searchconductedaroundtheguesthouse,themanwasultimatelycaught.ThisexperiencetaughtBowersanimportantlesson:whenyou'reoutbyyourself,youmustalwaysremaincalmsothatyoucanthinkofwaysto55yourselffromharm.41.A.consulted B.bought C.planned D.showed42.A.habit B.body C.dream D.sleep43.A.wokenup B.takenover C.putoff D.turneddown44.A.strange B.familiar C.cheerful D.bright45.A.surprise B.curiosity C.horror D.pleasure46.A.calmdown B.brightenup C.hurryon D.fallapart47.A.Unexpectedly B.Occasionally C.Fortunately D.Apparently48.A.escapingfrom B.tearingdown C.gettinginto D.hidingin49.A.withdoubt B.indanger C.onduty D.underpressure50.A.conclusion B.method C.theory D.decision51.A.secret B.private C.silent D.imaginarv52.A.ringing B.clicking C.tapping D.whispering53.A.complain B.comfort C.praise D.flatter54.A.thorough B.partial C.casual D.hasty55.A.distinguish B.protect C.recover D.separate第Ⅱ卷注意：将答案写在答题卡上。写在本试卷上无效。第三部分语言运用第二节(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。ChineseNobelPrize-winningPhysicistChenNingYangPassesAwayat103ChineseNobelPrize-winningphysicistChenNingYang,oneofthemost56(influence)scientistsinmodernphysics,diedinBeijingonSaturdayattheageof103.ThenewswasannouncedbyTsinghuaUniversity,57hestudiedandlaterservedasaprofessor.BorninHefei,Anhuiprovincein1922,Yangshowedextraordinarytalentinphysicsfromayoungage.Hegraduated58SouthwestAssociatedUniversityin1942andobtainedhismaster'sdegreefromTsinghuaUniversityin1944.Later,hewenttotheUnitedStatesforfurtherstudyandreceived59(he)PhDfromtheUniversityofChicagoin1948.In1957,YangandhiscolleagueTsung-daoLeewere60(cooperative)awardedtheNobelPrizeinPhysicsfortheirworkonparitynon-conservation(宇称不守恒).Theirdiscoveryrevolutionizedthefieldofparticlephysics,andchallengedlong-heldbeliefs,61(open)upnewavenuesofresearch.Yanghad62longanddistinguishedacademiccareer.HewasamemberoftheChineseAcademyofSciences,aprofessoratTsinghuaUniversity,andthehonorarypresidentofthe英语试题卷第7页(共8页)InstituteforAdvancedStudyatTsinghua.Hemadesignificant63(contribute)notonlytotheoreticalphysics,includingthefamousYang-Millstheory,butalsotopromotingscientificexchangesbetweenChinaandtherestoftheworld.Throughouthislife,Yang64(devote)toeducationandthecultivationofyoungscientists.Heinspiredcountlessstudentswithhisprofoundknowledgeandpassionforphysics.Withnewsofhispassing65(report)bymajoroutlets,thescientificcommunityaroundtheworldexpressedtheirdeepsorrow.Hislegacywillcontinuetoinspirefuturegenerationsofphysicistsandresearchers.第四部分写作(共两节，满分40分)第一节(满分第一节(满分15分)假设你是李华，凉山州西昌市在11月1日举办了马拉松比赛，请你就这个活动为学校英文报写一篇报道，内容包括：1.活动简介；2.你的感受。注意：1.写作词数应为80个左右；2.请在答题卡的相应位置作答。XichangMarathoninLiangshanCelebratesSportsandScenery第二节(满分25分)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。Lila'sfingerstrembledasshestaredatthemathtestpaper,andnumbersblurred(模糊)together,formulasslippingfromhermemory——thiswasthethirdmockexamshe'dfailed.“You'renotcutoutforscience.”hercousinhadsneered(嘲笑)lastweek,andevenhermomhadhesitatedwhenshesaidshewantedtostudyenvironmentalscience.ButLila'seyesdriftedtothephotostucktoherdesk:ayounggirlplantingasapling(树苗),grinningunderthesun.Thatwasher,at10,vowingtoprotectforests.Shecouldn'tgiveupnow.Shepackedherbagslowly,ignoringthewhispersofclassmatesasshelefttheclassroom.Insteadofgoinghome,shewalkedtothecommunitylibrary,whereMs.Hale,thelibrarian,alwayssavedadeskforher.“Toughday?”Ms.Haleasked,handingawarmcupofteaacrossthetable.Lilanodded,holdingbackhertearsinhereyes.“I'msostupid——I'vestudiedforweeks,butIstillgeteverythingwrong.”Ms.Halesmiledsoftly,pointingtothepottedcactus(仙人掌)onherdesk.“Seethat?Itseemedtohavediedlastwinter,butIkeptwateringit,nowlook——newgrowth.”ShetappedLila'stextbook.“Progressisn'taboutbeingperfect.It'saboutnotstopping.”Thatnight,Lilamadeaplan.Shewokeupanhourearliereachmorningtoreviewformulas,stayedafterschooltoaskteacherforextrapractice,andcrossedouteverynegativethoughtinhernotebook.Somedayswereharderthanothers——once,shecriedaftergettingaquizscorethatbarelyimproved.Butshethoughtofthecactusandherdream——andkeptgoing.Herclassmatesstartednoticing:theysawherraisingherhandinclass,helpingotherswithproblemsshe'doncestruggledwith.Onthedayofthefinalmockexam,Lilatookadeepbreathbeforeopeningthepaper.Herhandsstillshookalittle,butthistime,itwasfromexcitement,notfear.Sheworkedsteadily,recallingthehoursshe'dspentpracticing,theencouragementfromMs.Hale,thepromiseshe'dmadetoher10-year-oldself.Whenshefinished,she