2026届上海市高三英语一模专题汇编系列：阅读理解A篇

👉👉PAGE1页共161.2026届上海市宝山区高三英语Somepsychologistssaythatcommunityart–artmadetobedisplayedfreeofchargeinaparticularcommunity–canmakeabigdifference.Unlikethewildgraffiti(涂鸦)thatmanypeopleconsidersomethingveryuglyandoffensive,communityartbringpeopletogetherandencouragerespect.IntheU.S.cityofPhiladelphia,forexample,psychologistsaredoingacitywideprojectwherementalhealthpatientsworkwithaveragepeopletopaintmurals(壁画Theaimofthisprojectistoreducethestigma(污名)ofmentalillnessandpromoteanewdialogueaboutpeoplewhostrugglewiththeseissues.Artalsomakesneighborhoodsmoreattractiveandhasauniqueabilitytoopenpeopleup.Neighborscansharecommentswithoneanotheraboutarecentlypaintedmural,whichcanchallengetheirprejudicesandopentheireyestotheworld.Businessescanalsobeimprovedbycommunityart.InFortSmith,atownintheU.S.stateofArkansas,artistsfromaroundtheglobecametogethertopaintmurals.Oneofthegoalsoftheprojectwastoexpandthetown'sculturalofferingsinordertoattractmorevisitors.Notonlylocalsbutalsotouristsweredrawntoseethemurals.Themoneytheyspentwhilevisitingthetownbenefitedlocalbusinesses.Generousfinancialsupportisprovidedforcommunityartprojectsinmanycitiesandtowns.IntheUK,theArtsCouncilEnglandhasinvestednearlyhalfamilliondollarsincommunityart.Someofit,forexample,haspaidforanewexhibitionspacecreatedinsideanoldplantinthetownofBrierfield.IntheU.S.,anorganizationcalledtheKnightFoundationhasinvestedmillionsofdollarsincommunityprojects,includingmanythatfocusonart.Accordingtothisarticle,whichpeopleinPhiladelphiaarethevictimsofaThosewhocareformentalhealthThosewhohavestudiedmentalhealthThosewhosufferfrommentalhealthThosewhoestablishmentalhealthWhatdoesthewriterimplyaboutIt'sbecomeextremelyPlentyofcitizensdisapproveofItusuallyhasapoliticalNoneofitappearsinWhatdoesthearticleindicateabouttownslikeFortTheycanprofitfromartTheyprovideinexpensivecoursesinThey'veplacedsomerestrictionsonTheyborrowartfromotherHowdoesthewriterconcludethisarticleaboutByshowingitsroleinmodernByexplainingwhyithasbeenBycomparingitwithotherBydiscussinghowitisbeing2.20262.2026届上海市崇明区高三英语👉👉PAGE2页共16Shesings,dancesandinteractswithherseaoffansasherelectricbluehairglows(发光)underthestagelights.Butthere’ssomethingdifferentaboutthispopstar—shedoesn’tphysicallyexist.ThedigitalsuperstardancingonstageisHatsuneMiku,avirtualcelebrity,andshe’spartofagrowingtrendthatgoesbeyondtheboundarybetweenthephysicalanddigitalworlds.Virtualcelebrities,alsoknownasvirtualinfluencers,aredigitalcharactersthatarecreatedusingamixtureoftechnologiesincludingcomputer-generatedimages(CGI)andartificialintelligence(Al).Theyaredesignedtolookandbehavelikerealpeopleandareabletosing,dance,modelclothing,promoteproducts,engagewithfansonsocialmediaandevenadvocateforcauses.Whilesomepeopleembracethisnewtrend,othersrejectitforfearthatinteractionswithdigitalpersonalitiesmightlackcredibility.WhatmakesHatsuneMikuspecialisthatsheisacollaborationbetweenhumancreativityandtechnologyand“sings”over100,000songscreatedbyindividualfans.Hervoiceisaproductofacomplexvoicesynthesizer(合成器),andherperformancesareentirelydigital.Shehasevenperformedwithmajorartists.Miku’sliveconcerts,whereLEDscreensareusedtobringherto“life,”havesoldoutincitiesaroundtheOneoftheworld’smostbelovedvirtualinfluencers,Lucamefromhumblebeginnings.Lu,adigitalbeing,startedasavirtualassistantforonlineshoppers.However,herpopularityincreased,andshequicklybecamethefaceofthebrand.Luhasalsoworkedwithtopbrandsandstarredinmusicvideoswithfamousartists.Sheisagreatexampleofhowadigitalcelebritycanbridgethegapbetweenentertainment,socialissuesandmarketing.Andwithhersupportofwomen’srights,Lucontinuestobreaknewgroundforvirtualinfluencers.Despitetheirsuccess,virtualinfluencersaren’twithoutcontroversy,withmanyexpressingdiscomfortwiththeideaof“fakehumans”interactingwiththeworldasiftheywerereal.Aswelookahead,it’sworthasking:Howwilltheworldadjusttothisnewrealitywheredigitalbeingsexistalongsiderealhumans?Theanswer,asalways,liesinhowwechoosetousethetoolswehavebeengiven.ThepassageismainlyaboutthedevelopmentandinfluenceofvirtualtheuniqueperformancesofHatsuneMikuandthetechnologiesusedtocreatevirtualthecontroversiescausedbydigitalWhyisHatsuneMikureferredtoasaspecialvirtualShehasacharmingvoicerecordedfromarealSheisthefirstvirtualinfluencertoworkwithfamousShehasaphysicalbodythatenableshertoperformonSherepresentsacombinationoffancreativityandBy“humblebeginnings”inParagraph4,theauthormeansLu hadadifficultpersonalityat B.alwaysaimedtobecomeaC.startedinasimpleandunnoticed D.wascreatedbyanunknownWhatistheauthor’sattitudetowardsvirtualA. B. C.Strongly D.Fully3.20263.2026届上海市奉贤区高三英语👉👉PAGE3页共16Itseemsobviousthatplantscannotcount1-10ontheirrootsorleavesasweusuallydowithourfingers,butscientistssaycertainplantscan“count”andevendosimplemaths.Theypossessmysteriousabilitiestokeepaneyeontheinsectsnearbyandtheirownfoodstores.Venusflytrapsforexample,areknowntoshuttheirleavesrapidlywhentheysensesomethingmovingonthemButtheyonlydothisifanythingmovestwicewithinabout15–20seconds.Themovementsaresensedbyfine‘triggerhairsontheleavesandtranslatedintoelectricalpulses(脉冲),flowingthroughtheplantWhenanelectricalpulseistriggeredtwice,theleaveswillcloseimmediately.But,asagroupofinternationalscientistsshowedin2016,insect-eatingplantsofthiskindareabletotallyhigherthantwo.Theywaituntilthey’vesensedatleastthreeelectricalpulsesbeforetheystartproducingthechemicalsneededtodigesttheircatch,probablytoavoidwastingtheirenergyonluckyescapees.Evenbeforethisdiscovery,though,scientistsweresuggestingthatthalecress,acousintocabbagethat’swidelyusedinplantstudies,couldperformaprocesssimilartodoingdivision.Duringtheday,thalecressesusesunlighttobuilduptheirfoodstores,whichisknownasphotosynthesis.Buttosurvivethenight,theymustfirstdeterminehowmuchenergytheywillneed.Theydothisbyassessingtheenergystoredintheirleavesandfactoringinthelengthofthenight.Basedonthiscalculation,theythenmanagetheirfoodintakeatasustainablerate.Expertsargueweshouldn’tlabelthesecuriouscountingabilitiesas“intelligent”orasevidencethatplantshavesomeearlyandunderdevelopedformofbrain.They’rejustdoingwhattheyneedtosurvive.Butitremindsusthateventhesimplestformsoflifecandisplayastonishingcomplexityandprecision.TheexampleofVenusflytrapsinParagraph2isgiventoshowthat plantscancount1-10ontheirrootsandsomeplantscancarryoutsimpleplantsareabletogenerateelectricalcertainplantsreactmuchfasterthanTheunderlinedword“tally”inParagraph3isclosestinmeaningto A. B. C. D.Wecanlearnfromthepassagethat venusflytrapssettimedtrapsbasedonhowmanybugstheyplantsdosimplemathstokilltimeotherthanmerelytothalecressmanagesitsenergyuseatnightthroughplantshavenowevolvedastructuresimilartoahumanWhatmightbethebesttitleforthePlants’amazingsenseoftimeand B.Plants’smarttricksofcapturingC.Plants’brilliantuseofsunlightand D.Plants’surprisingtalentfor4.20264.2026届上海市虹口区高三英语👉👉PAGE4页共16MycatJean-Philippeiswhatyoumightcharitablydescribeas‘big-IadoptedPhilwhenhewasaboutsixmonthsold.Beforehecametomyhouse,hehadbeenlivingwithacoupleofotherkittensoutonthestreet.WhenImovedintoafourth-floorapartment,hebecameafull-timeindoorfoodie.IusuallycallhimFatPhil.Ilovehim,butheisbasicallyameatloafwithfur.IfinallyrealizedthingsweregettingoutofcontrolwhenheoutgrewhiscatcarrierandIwasforcedtobuyonebuiltforamedium-sizeddog.TomakesurethatPhilwouldstickaroundforaslongaspossible,IknewIneededtomakesomechangestohisdiet—whetherornothewasfullyonboardwiththemAlthoughFatPhilneededtobecomeSlimPhil,losingweighttooquicklycouldbedangerous.IwassentbyPhil’sdoctortoawebsitethatcalculateshowmanycaloriesadayacatneedstoconsumetoloseweightatahealthypace.ThisiswhenIlearntthatyouapparentlyneedtounderstandadvancedalgebra(代数)tocountcat-foodcalories.Phileatsacombinationofraw,freeze-dried,andcannedfood,andhebeganhisdietat270caloriesaday.Haveevertriedtofigureoutthecaloriesinyourcat’sfavouritebrandsoffood?Somedon’tincludetheinformationonthelabel.Othersgiveitintinyprint.Ortheypublishitintermsthatrequireyoutofigureout,say,thatif450gramsoffreeze-driedchickenbiscuitscontain125calories,akitchencupweighsabout700grams,and50biscuitsfitinacup,eachbiscuithas…wait….Ihavetokeepremindingmyselfthatthisistheverybestdietforcats,accordingtodoctors.Andfinally!Aftermorethanayear,Phil’sdailyintakehasbeenreducedto250calories.Butit’sanongoingstruggle.He’sahardenedfoodthief.Hestartspushingfordinneratabout1p.m.,sometimesrisinguponhislegsandtappingmeontheshoulderwithhisfrontpawasIsitatmycomputer.Ifhehadawatch,he’dbepointingatit.Resistinghismostsincererequeststakesasmuchself-controlasIcandevelop,butIpersist.Andanymonthnow,myboyisgoingtoslimdownthatdog-sizedbodyandbecomethesizeofaverylargecat.Howmanyofthefollowingphrasesrefertothesamemeaningas“big-(1)afull-timeindoor (2)Fat(3)ameatloafwith (4)amedium-sized(5)Slim (6)ahardenedfoodA. B. C. D.WhatdoestheauthorfinddifficultwhencalculatingJean-Philippe’sfoodPhilrefusestoeatraw,freeze-driedandcannedCalorieinformationcan’tbefoundoncatfoodPhil’sdoctorfailstogiveusefulsuggestionsonhisThecalorieinformationoncatfoodisunclearorhardtoWhatdoesthewriterimplyby“anongoingstruggle”inthelastKeepingPhilonhisdietremainsThewriterintendstostopthecat’sdietPhil’shealthkeepsworseningovertheFeedingPhilhasbecomemuchboringWhichofthefollowingbestdescribestheauthor’sattitudetowardsJean-Tolerant,thecatwillremainGenerous,yetlosingpatiencewithPhil’sLoving,yetdeterminedtofollowthehealthScientific,relyingoncomplex5.20265.2026届上海市黄浦区高三英语👉👉PAGE5页共16JudgeCaprio,whoretiredfromProvidenceMunicipalCourtin2023afteralmost40years,saidhiscourtroomwaswherepeopleandcasesweremetwithkindnessandsympathy.Itwashisshow,“CaughtinProvidence,”firstseenonTVinProvidencein1988,thatmadehimfamouslaterinhislife.Theshowbroadcastrealproceedingsforsmalldrivingmistakes,housingandzoningissues,andminorillegalactsinsideacitycourtroom.Theshowbeganattractingnationalattentioninabout2017,whenvideoclipswerepostedonline.ItfeaturedfreshepisodesdirectlyfromJudgeCaprio’scourtroom,makinghimafamous80-year-oldstar.Bytheendofthe2010s,about200stationsacrossthecountrycarriedtheprogram.Inonepopularclip,JudgeCapriotossedoutaspeedingchargeagainsta96-year-oldmanafterlearningthathehadbeendrivinghissontocancertreatment.“YoureallyarewhatAmericaisallabout,”JudgeCapriotoldtheman.“Hereyouareinyour90s,andyou’restilltakingcareofyourfamily.That’sjustawonderfulthing.”JudgeCaprio’scourthouseisinFederalHill,aneighborhoodthatinthe1920sbecameoneofthemostheavilypopulatedItalianAmericancommunitiesinthecountry.Hewasbornin1936andhisfatherworkedasafruitpack-manandmilkman.HetoldaProvidenceCollegepublicationthatherecalledgatheringclosewithhisfamilyinwinters“withtheovendooropensowecouldgetheat.”Ononeofthosenights,hisfathertoldhimthathewouldbecomealawyersomeday.“Lookaround,ifIneededalawyer,Icouldnotaffordone,”hisfathertoldhim.“Rememberthat.Youcanneverforgetwhereyoucamefrom.”Asachild,JudgeCaprioshinedshoes,deliverednewspapersandworkedonamilktruck.Helatersaidthatthisupbringinggavehimthesympatheticperspectivehebroughttohiscourtroom.“Hewasmorethananexpertinlaw—hewasasymbolofunderstandingasajudge,showinguswhatispossiblewhenjusticeistemperedwithhumanity.”Gov.DanMcKeeofRhodeIslandsaidinastatementafterJudgeCaprio’sdeathinAugust,2025.“CaughtinProvidence”ischaracterizedby settingupapositiveimagefor B.solvingviolentcrimeC.showingrealcourtroom D.filmingcasesacrossmultipleTheunderlinedphrase“tossout”(paragraph4)isclosestinmeaningto A. B. C. D.WhatcanbeconcludedfromJudgeCaprio’schildhoodHedevelopedasenseofcareforFearofsystemfaultskepthimfromHechosetobealawyeraftertryingdifferentItwashardforhimtomakealivingincoldJudgeCapriobelievedthat justicecouldbebothfirmand B.thelawshouldtreattheelderlywithC.atroubledchildhoodcoulddriveoneto D.triallive-streamingwasagreatwaytogain6.20266.2026届上海市嘉定区高三英语👉👉PAGE6页共16Atfirst,MikeWhitewasnotworriedwhenhisfive-year-olddog,BuzzMan,failedtoreturnafteradeerHowever,afterseveralhours,heusedtheGPSonthedog’sneckandlocatedanarrowcaveentrance,andBuzzMan’sfreshpaw(爪子)prints.Now,Whitegrewconcerned.HuntorganizerLongRaycontactedtwoexperiencedcavers—NathanBillandAndyMiles.Theyarrivedhourslaterandwidenedtheentrance.By1:30a.m.,Sunday,tenhoursafterBuzzMandisappeared,theyenteredthecave.Thepassagewassonarrowthattheywereforcedtocrawlwithonlyheadlampforlight.After30meters,theyeventuallyreachedatightcrawlspace.Miles,at1.7metersand104kilograms,isastrongman.Nowaycouldhefitthroughthathole.By3:30a.m.,theyreturned.OnSundayafternoon,smallervolunteerswerecalledin.At5:00p.m.,fournewcavers—twomenandtwo—enteredthecave.Theywereexperiencedandlovedeverythingaboutcaveadventureexceptforonething—caveflood.“Ifitrains,”Milessays,“Thecavewillkillpeople.”Thatnight’sforecast:rain.Theteammadetheirwaythroughthenarrowspace.Ontheothersideofitwasastream.Theyhadtocrawlandswimthroughcoldwater,facingthethreatoflowbodytemperature.Anhourlater,oneofthemen,KevinRobin,foundalargeroom.Hescannedthefloorwithhisheadlampandthenupthe4-meter-highwalls.AndtherewasBuzzMan,standingonanarrowedgeandnervouslystaringatthestranger.Robingentlyattachedabelt,helpedthedogdown,andcastalightonhim.BuzzManimmediatelyheadedtowardtheentrance.At9:30p.m.,30hoursafterdisappearing,BuzzManranoutofthecaveandreunitedwithMikeWhite.Thedogwascoldandhungrybutunharmed.Allrescuersreturnedsafely.Intotal,eightcaversansweredthecallandvolunteeredforthesearch.Mileslaughsoffallthepraise.Afterall,goingintodark,wetandtightspacesistheirhobby.“Whatweconsiderfun,”hesays,“oftengivesmostpeoplenightmares.”MikeWhitebegantofeelworriedwhen findingBuzzMandidnotreturnaftertheseeingBuzzMan’spawprintsaroundtherealizingBuzzManwastrappedinthelearningthecavewastoonarrowtoAccordingtothepassage,whichofthefollowingshowsthecorrectorderofthe①Mileswasstoppedduetoanarrow②Therescuersadvancedinthecold③KevinRobindiscovered④NathanBillandAndyMilesenteredthe⑤Ateamoffourcaverswas Thechallengesthattherescuershadtosufferinclude heatedanddriednarrowspaceandlowdarkenvironmentandlightinglackofmanpowerandlossofWhichofthefollowingcanbethebesttitleoftheCavementothe AHero’sBrave HiddenDangersinthe7.20267.2026届上海市金山区高三英语👉👉PAGE7页共16Whatisthetrueworthofahumanlife?Arealllivesequallyvaluable?Mystrugglewiththeseseriousquestionsultimatelyshapedmycorebeliefs.AfteramajortragedyyearsagoIfacedthedifficulttaskofsettingcompensationamounts(补偿金foreveryvictimlostThelawrequiredmetoassignhighervaluestoprofessionalslikefinancialmanagersthantowaiters,policeofficers,firefighters,orsoldiers.Thispracticeoccursdailyincourtroomsnationwide.Ourlegalsystemtraditionallylinkscompensationfordeathdirectlytoeachvictim’sfinancialstanding—theirlostearningpower.However,meetingheart-brokenfamiliesandfacinguptothepainfulrealityofassigningmonetaryworthtoliveslostmademedeeplyquestionthisfundamentallegalprinciple.Asalawyer,Iwastrainedtoacceptthatnotwoliveshaveequalfinancialvalue.Yet,thisincreasinglyconflictedwithmygrowingbeliefintheinnerequalityofalllife.Afirefighter’swidowchallengedme:“Sir,myhusbanddiedahero.Whydoesthefamilyofthatdisgracedfinancemanagerreceivemore?Doesthisnotdishonormyhusband’smemory?”Mylegaljustificationsfeltholloweventomyself.Iinitiallyofferedstandardarguments:Iwasn’tjudginganyone’sinnermoralworth,merelyfollowingthelaw,asjuries(陪审团)dodaily.Butthesewordsrangemptyforheartbrokenfamilies.Theyfellondeafears.Iwasdeeplyconflicted.Itseemedfarmorejustforpublicfundstocompensateeveryvictimequally—declaring,ineffect,thatalllivesholdequalworthYet,thelawprevailed(占上风)then.Yearslater,followinganotherterriblelossoflifeinvolvingstudentsandteachers,Iwasagainaskedtodesignacompensationplan,thistimefundedprivately.Atthismoment,mybeliefasacitizenfinallyovercamemylawyer’straining.Thistime,everyfamilyreceivedthesameamount.Iffacedwithsuchpubliccompensationagain,Idohopethelawwillstatefirmlythatalllivesdeserveequaltreatment.Courtrooms,judges,lawyers,andjuriesarenottheanswerwhenitcomestopubliccompensation.Resolvingmyinnerconflicttaughtmeavitallesson:Publiccompensationmustavoidfinancialdistinctionsthatonlydeepensurvivors’painandsorrow.Ultimately,inthefaceofloss,thelawmusthonorthesimplesttruth:everylifepossessesimmeasurable,equaldignity—avaluenocourtcanprice.Accordingtotheauthor,whatdoesthelawuseasthebasisforsettingcompensationamountsforThevictim’smoralThefamily’semotionalThevictim’sprofessionalThevictim’searningHowdidthefirefighter’swidowviewthecompensationShethoughtitreflectedtrueSheconsidereditasanecessarylegalShebelievedithonoredherhusband’sShevieweditasadisrespectfulwaytohonoraWhydidtheauthorhaveamixedfeelingatHewascriticizedbytheheartbrokenfamiliesforhisPublicfundswerenotenoughtocompensateallthevictimsThejuriesrefusedtocooperatewithhiminmakinglegalHethoughtequalcompensationwasfairbuthadtofollowtheunfairWhatistheauthor’sprimaryargumentaboutpubliccompensationaftermassFinancialdistinctionshelpfamiliesrecoverPublicfundsmustassuretheequalvalueofallLawyersshouldhavefullcontroloverfundJurydecisionsshoulddetermineindividual8.20268.2026届上海市静安区高三英语👉👉PAGE8页共16NicoleKillianwaspreoccupiedbeforehearingofthehurricane（飓风）FirstsheworriedaboutsafetyandcheckedonneighborsandfamilyThenshethoughtaboutrepairs,bills,andaboutwhentouristswouldreturnforpeopletowork.Amongthesehumanconcerns,it’stoughtorememberthenaturalworldevenforKillian,aconservationistandnaturalistwhoearnsalivingbysharingFlorida’swestcoastwaterways.Butthentherewasthatdolphin.AweekafterHurricaneMiltonhitEnglewood,adolphinwascaughtinafloatingcrabtrapneartheboatlaunchwhereNicoleKilliankeptequipmentforherbusiness.Ateamtriedtofreeit.AsbiologistsworkedtosaveandreleasethedolphinintoLemonBay,Killianandherhusbandknewtheyneededtodosomething.“Wehadalwaysknownwewantedtohelpcleanupthewaterway,”shesays.“Butafterhearingaboutthedolphin,weknewweneededtoactfast.”Themangroves(红树林)Kilianguidestouriststhroughwerelitteredwithplasticbags,drywall,andtwo-by-fours.Mangrovesaretheecosystem’snaturalfilter.ButtheKilliansrecognizedthatinthissituation,theplantsneededassistance.SotheydecidedtoorganizeagrouptoboatalongthebanksofLemonBayandremovetrash.“WedecidedtocallitWaterwayWarriors,”shesays.“Becauseweneedanarmyofenvironmentaliststohelp.”Cleaningupmangrovesisn’tstraightforward.Thevolunteerspulledoutgastanksandmetalsheets,dockremainsandcrabtraps.“Everybodywashappytobethereandgladsomebodywasdoingsomething,”onevolunteersays.“Therewasalotoflaughter,alotofsmilesandalotoftriumph.”Indeed,adisturbingphenomenonoccurswithhurricanes,Killian’shusbandsays.Somepeople’slivesareturnedupsidedown,withruinedhomesandlostjobs.Othersarejustfine.Inatight-knitcommunitylikethisone,whereneighborsknowoneanother,thatcanleavesurvivors’guiltanddeepdesiretohelp.TheWaterwayWarriorscleanupsturnedouttobeasmuchforthepeopleastheyareforthemangrovesandtheothercreaturesthatliveinthearea.“We’velearnedwe’reastrongcommunity,”MsKilliansays.“We’velearnedthatpeoplewanttohelp.”WhateventmotivatedKillianandherhusbandtotakeimmediateThehurricane’sdamagetotheirtourAtrappeddolphindiscoveredaftertheThereturnoftouriststothemangroveThegovernment’srequestforcleanupWhatisthemainpurposeofthe“WaterwayWarriors”ToteachtouristsaboutFlorida’s B.TohelpcleanandrestorelocalC.Torescueseaanimalstrappedafter D.TocollectdonationsforhurricaneWhatcanbeinferredabouttheWaterwayWarriorscleanupsfromthelastTheyhelpedrelievepsychologicalstressintheTheyencouragedmoretouriststohelptheTheyhighlightedthedestructivepowerofTheyofferedjobstosurvivorsintheWhatisthepassagemainlyTherescueofadolphinafteraTheenvironmentaldamagecausedbyaCommunity-ledrecoveryeffortsafteraTherelationshipbetweenhumansand9.20269.2026届上海市闵行区高三英语👉👉PAGE9页共16Itwasn’tLeo’schoicetoleaveacademia.Withjustonesemesterleftofhishighschoolcareer,Leofoundhimselfwithoutaplacetolive.Hisonlyoptionwastoturnhispart-timejobintotwofull-timejobsanddelayfinishinghisdegree.Sadly,thatdaywasn’tsoontocome.Seventeenyearslater,Leowasprovidingforhisson,Jonathan,andhisfour-year-olddaughter,Hallie.WhenherealizedJonathanwasinneedofsomeextraattention,heknewitwastimetobecometherolemodelhissondeserved.Determinedtogetbackonthetrackhepromisedhimselfsolongago,LeobeganattendinghighschoolequivalencyclassesinStatenIsland.Afterall,withoutacertificate,helackedthequalificationsforhighereducation,betterjobs,andthestabilityhisfamilyneeded.Intelligenceandperseverancehadcarriedhimthroughmanyhardships,butnowheneededthedegree.Mathandessaywritingbecamepriorities,andwiththehelpofhisteacher,PhilCameron,Leomadetheprogressheneededtoaidhisgrowingconfidence.Butitwasn’tjustthestudentwhocameawaywithsomethingfromtheselessons.Leosharedhisloveofscience,politics,news,andnovelswithanyonewhowouldlisten,andevenPhilremarked,“IalwayslearnedsomethinginmyconversationswithLeo.”Thencamethedayofthetest,andLeowasthrownyetanothercurveball.Notonlywashegivenafaultycalculator,buttheheadachehewokeupwithstillhadn’tgoneaway.Allseemedhopelessuntilhisthoughtsturnedtohischildren.Theygavehimthepowertopushthrough:Leopassedthetest,finallyearninghishighschoolcertificate.Forthefirsttime,hecouldfeelworthyofthepridehischildrenalreadyhadinhim.Withhisnewfoundconfidence,Leothoughtitmadesensetopassonhisloveofreading.Takingapagefromhisteacher’sbook—insteadofforcingthestudies—Leoadoptedanengagingapproachtoreadingwithhisson.Twentyminutesanightwasallittook,andsoonenough,Jonathanwasmakingrapidprogress,finishingtheschoolyearbyjumpingupthreereadinglevels!HewasevenrecognizedasStudentoftheMonth.NowJonathanexcelsinschoolandenjoyslearning.Maybebestofall,afteracoupleofmonthsofLeoreadingwithJonathan,Jonathanstartedreadingtohisyoungersister—passingonthisfamilialloveofreadingfirstfromLeo,thentoJonathan,andfinallytoHallieLeodecidedtogobacktoschoolbecause hewastiredofworkingfull-hehopedtoeasehisfamilyhewantedtogrowandguidehisheexcelledinmathandessayWhatcanbelearnedaboutLeo’shighschoolequivalencyclassesfromtheTheyfocusedmainlyonscienceandTheyprovideopportunitiesformutualTheypromisedahigh-payingjobafterTheyallowedstudentstoexplorepersonalTheword“curveball”(para.4)probablyrefersto A.atypeof B.anunfairC.atrickymath D.anunexpectedWhatlessoncanbeinferredfromLeo’sPerseveranceandeducationcanshapethenextExchangingknowledgecanhelppeoplegrowCooperationandguidanceisessentialforacademicFamilybondscanbestrengthenedthroughshared10.202610.2026届上海市浦东新区高三英语页共Backin2008,whenIwasworkingasaprofessionalastronomer,IwasgrantedtwonightsonabigtelescopeonMaunaKea,Hawaii.Irememberarrivingatthepeakofthevolcanoatdusk,veryexcitedaboutthisincredibleopportunity.Iwentintothebrightlylittelescopecontrolroom,pluggedinmylaptopandstartedpreparingforthenightoftakingdata.Whenitwasdawn,Iemergedintothesunrise,sleepy-eyedandreadyfordinner...orwasitbreakfast?ItwasonlyyearslaterthatIrealizedI’dbeentothepeakofMaunaKeaandIhadn’tlookedupatthenightskywithmyeyesevenonce.Inowseethisdisappointingsituationwasrepresentativeofadeeperstateofmentaldifficultythathadaffectedmelikealong,slowsunset.Overmyyearsofimmersion沉浸)intheacademicenvironment,I’dbecomelostintheworldofdisconnectedfromanemotional,directexperience,andfromthewonderandpassionthathaddrawnmeintoastronomyinthefirstplace.I’vecometounderstandthatthissituationisn’tuniquetome.Thesearetypicalsymptomsofthemodernworld.Somanyofusliveincreasinglydisconnectedfromnature—inthedayandnighttime—oftenlostintheworldofideas,plansoranxieties,withourattentionrarelyinthehereandnow.Astrophysicswaswhatledmeintotheworldofideasandfacts,butitwasultimatelystargazinginamindfulwaythatshowedmethewaybacktoamorebalancedstateofmentalwellbeingandthewonderofmysubjective,veryhumanWhenwelookwithwide-eyedcuriosity,ratherthanbeingpreoccupiedwithfactsandexpectations,itencouragesastateofwonder,whichleadstoawe.Studieshaveshownfeelingaweonaregularbasisisdeeplybeneficialtoourmentalhealth,becauseithelpsusfeelconnectedtosomethingbiggerthanoureverydayviewofourselves.Suddenly,ourworriesaren’tquitesoall-importantandwestarttoseeourselvesfromadifferentperspective.It’ssoeasytothinkthatwe’relookingupatthestars.Butthetruthiswe’reinthem—madeofthem,inseparablefromthem.Youhavegrownoutof,andarelivingaspartof,thisUniverse.True,lookingatito