江苏省南通市海安市2027届高三上学期期初测试英语试卷（含答案）

高三年级1.Whatisthewomantryingtodecide?A.Whatshewillwriteforahistorypaper.B.Whatshewillbedoingayearfromnow.C.Whatshewillmajorinatuniversity.2.Whyisthemanannoyed?A.Hehastoworklate.B.Thesnackmachineisbroken.C.Thewomanrefusedhisrequest.3.Whatdoesthemanthinkaboutthewoman?A.Sheisnotunderstanding.B.Sheisnothelpful.C.Sheisnotbrave.4.Whatwillthespeakersprobablywatch?A.Aromanticdrama.B.Anadventuremovie.C.Ahistoricaldocumentary.5.Whatisthewomanmainlyimpressedby?A.Theteam’sefforttoreducewaste.B.Thenewcafeteriaintheschool.C.Thenumberofpeopleintheprogram.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.Whatarethespeakersprobablyabouttodo?A.Takeanexam.B.Deliveraspeech.C.Attendajobinterview.7.Whatistheman’sphilosophyfordealingwithstress?A.Concentrateoncontrollableaspects.B.Considereverythingthoroughly.C.Makedetailedplansinadvance.听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。8.Wherearethespeakersprobably?A.Inacarshowroom.B.Inaparkinglot.C.Inacar.9.Whatdoesthewomansavemoneyon?A.Parkingfees.B.Chargingfees.C.Publictransporttickets.10.Howcouldpublictransporthelpdriversaccordingtotheman?A.Bybringingdowncarprices.B.Byfreeingupparkingspaces.C.Byreducingtheamountoftraffic.听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。11.WhydidJamiegettobedlatelastnight?A.Hewashavingtroublefallingasleep.B.Hewascatchingthenighttrain.C.Hewascomfortingafriend.12.Whathappenedtothewoman’ssister?A.Shehadaheartproblemat23.B.Shewashospitalizedduetostressandsleepissues.C.Sherecoveredfromamentaldisorder.13.HowdoesthewomanfeelaboutJamie’shabits?A.Concerned.B.Pleased.C.Annoyed.听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。14.Whatisthemainpurposeofthesciencefair?A.Toshowstudents’talentsandcreativity.B.Tosellticketstothesciencemuseum.C.ToteachstudentsaboutAItechnology.15.Whatcanthewoman’srobotdo?A.Sing.B.Dance.C.Playamusicalinstrument.16.Whatdoesthewomanhopetoget?A.Asetofdrums.B.Anewcomputer.C.Amuseummembership.17.Whatisthewomangoingtodonext?A.Fixhercomputer.B.Seethenoticeboard.C.Improveherinvention.听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。18.Whatisthespeakermainlytalkingabout?A.Howtolandasatisfyingcareeropportunity.B.Howtokeepupwiththechangingjobmarket.C.HowtoworkwithAIandsmartrobots.19.Whoisthespeakerprobablytalkingto?A.Highschoolstudents.B.Collegestudents.C.Youngjobseekers.20.Whichskillsareatthetopofemployers’listsaccordingtothespeaker?A.CommunicationandlanguageskillsB.Relationshipbuildingandteamwork.C.Problem-solvingandoriginalthinking.AGetreadyforthe2026GracefulEnvelopeContest—thisyear’sthemeisCourageandCreativity.Pleasenotethatyoursubmissionincludestwoparts:theentryenvelopeandthecarrierenvelope.RequirementsfortheCarrierEnvelope:Weaskthatallcontestentryenvelopes(≤7×9inches,withoriginalartworkandcalligraphy)beplacedinsideaplaincarrierenvelope(anysize,noexternalart)thatisclearlymarkedonthefrontwiththecontestaddress(seebelow)andwithcorrectpostage(邮资).Stamps:The2026contestwillcontinuetorequireatleastonestamponthecontestentryenvelope(preferablyonethatintegrateswiththedesign),butitneednothavethefullcorrectpostage.Forstudententriesmailedtogethers,email,contestdivision(Adult,Grades9-12,Grades5-8)andInsfyouwish,forwinnerpublicity)onthebackoftheEntryEnvelope.IncompleteinformationJudgingCriteria:EntriesarejudgedonlyontheFRONletyourselfgointhinkingofdifferentapproachestothesubject.Iseeeachentryenvelopeasanaturalintegrationofthreeparts:solidlettering;creativedesignorillustration;andstampsrelatingtothetheme.C.Highlightinnovativethinking.D.Explorediversesubjects.BForthreedecades,Camilleri,aCanadianfashiondesigner,hadmadeanameforherselfdressingA-listers.Herbeautiful,delicatestylesfromleather,toeveningwear,tocustomoutfitswerefeaturedonthecoversofthehottestmagazines.ButwhenTurnbull—awell-knownjournalistandwheelchairusersinceaterribleaccidentleftherdisabledin1983—approachedhertodesignstylish,comfortableclothestofitherbodythroughtheseasons,Camillerirealizedherrealcallingwastohelpbringfashiontoacompletelyunder-servedcommunity.“IhadnoideathatsomeoneinachairhadanydifferentclothingneedsthanyouorI,”saysthedesigner.“Theworldwasmymarketbecausenobodyhadeverdonethisbefore.”In2004Camilleriopenedastorespeciallyforpeoplewhousewheelchairs.“Everythingwedo,thestartingpointisfromaseatedframe.Sowhathappenswhenyou’resitting?Whathappenstotheclothes?Wherearetheygettingtogether?”Camilleriexplains.“Wereallyhadtorecreatethepatternstosuitaseatedframe.”Hercustomcreationshavechangedlives.Winkelaarhasbeeninawheelchairsinceacaraccidenttwoweeksbeforehisfourthbirthday.UntilhemetCamilleri,helackedconfidenceinhisappearanceandwasafraidofenteringtheclothingstoresbecausehehadtroublefindingtrousersthatfitproperly.Salahhasspasticcerebralpalsy(痉挛性脑瘫).Shesaysclothingstoresarealwaysdauntingplacesfullofpiecesoutofreach.Salahsaysshecarriesherselfdifferentlynowandsheismoreconfidentinherappearance.Beingabletohaveaccesstofashionablefunctionalclothinggivesheralotofdignity.“Camilleri’spiecesarenowpartofanexhibitattheRoyalOntarioMuseum,andhersuccessinanewraremarkethasnotgoneunnoticedinthemainstreamfashionworld.Sheisatrulybrillianttechnician.Sheputsfashionandconfidencewithinreachofthedisabled,”CanadiantelevisionpersonalityandfashioncriticJeanneBekersays.24.WhatdrivesCamilleritoopenastore?A.Makingaprofit.B.Seekingfame.C.Meetingachallenge.D.Providingservice.25.Whichofthefollowingcanreplacetheunderlinedword“daunting”inparagraph4?A.Frightening.B.Inspiring.C.Comforting.D.Striking.26.WhichofthefollowingcanbestdescribeCamilleri?A.Ambitiousandhardworking.B.Caringandfar-sighted.C.Determinedandconventional.D.Creativeandstubborn.27.WhatmessagedoesBekerwanttoconveyinthelastparagraph?A.Camilleriisahighlyoriginalthinker.B.Camilleriisasuccessfulfashionpioneer.C.Camilleriisacriticaltechnicianleader.D.Camilleriisaproductivemarketadvisor.CIntheanimalkingdom,countingskillsareknowntohelpgrabbiggermealsorfindsafetyingroupsizes.Butclownfishmayhaveuncoveredanother“value”innumbers:identification.Despitetheircuteappearance,clownfishareterritorialandaggressive(富于攻击性的).Whentheyspotamemberoftheirownspeciesmovingtowardstheirplace,theyattack,bitingandthrowingoutunwelcomevisitors.Thereare28differentspeciesofclownfish,however.Sohowdotheyactuallytellfriendsfromenemies?Dependingonthespecies,clownfishcanhaveanywherefromzerotothreewhitestripes(条纹).Previousresearchsuggestedthefishpaycloseattentiontothesemarkings.Ina2022study,scientistsfoundclownfishdisplaymoreaggressivebehavior(e.g.,runningafterorbitingothers)towardfishwithvertical(垂直的)stripescomparedwiththosewithhorizontalstripes.Thistimearound,ecologistHayashiandcolleaguesassumedthefishcouldactuallycountthosestripes.Theyplaced50young,lab-raisedcommonclownfish—whichdisplaythetypicalorangepatternlike“Nemo”(aclownfishwiththreestripesfromthefilmFindingNemo)—intoindividualwatertanks.Then,theresearchersaddedotherclownfishspecies,whichhadwhitestripesrangingfrom0to3andwereprotectedinsideasee-throughcase,intheoriginalclownfish’sterritoryandfilmedtheirreaction.The“native”fishcouldn’trunafterorbitethenewcomers,buttheycouldstillrushthemandstarethemdown.Andthat’swhathappenedwhenthenewcomersworethesamenumberofstripesastheresidentclownfish.Theyfoundthatthenativeclownfishwerethehardestonmembersoftheirownspecieswiththreewhitestripes.Thosefishwererunafterandbitten10timesmorethanthosewithoutstripes.Attacksonthosefishweretwotimesmorefrequentthanonsingle-stripedones,and1.3timesmorefrequentthanondouble-stripedones..Itturnedoutthattheresearchers’assumptionhadsolidevidence.Evenso,biologistRhodesquestionswhethertheanimalsarereallycountingorjustnoticingmorewhitecolorationontheattackedfish.“Mayberesearcherscouldfurtherclarifyclownfish’scalculatingcapacity,”addsRhodes.“Anexperimentthatgoesbeyondstripescouldhelp.Couldthesefishlearn,forexample,toprefertwosquarestothreesquares?”28.Whatnewuseofcountingskillshaveclownfishdemonstrated?A.Buildingupalargegroup.B.Makingoutpotentialthreats.C.Findingreliablefoodsources.D.Measuringthesizeoftheirterritory.29.Whatdidthe2022studyaboutclownfishfocuson?A.Thewaytheydefendtheirterritory.B.Thediversityoftheirstripepatterns.C.Theimpactoftheiraggressiononotherspecies.D.Theroleofstripepatternsintheirbehavioralreaction.30.WhichofthefollowingisaNemo-likeclownfishmostlikelytoattack?A.Athree-stripedfish.B.Adouble-stripedfish.C.Afishwithonestripe.D.Afishwithoutstripes.31.Whatistheauthor’spurposeinmentioningRhodesinthelastparagraph?A.Topointoutthesignificanceofthestudy.B.Toleadtoanalternativeviewpointonthestudy.C.Toshowappreciationofclownfish’slearningability.D.Tosupporttheresearchers’findingsaboutclownfish.DHavingtofindatoiletduringlongroadtripsis,now,nolongerapainasChineseelectricvehicleengineersarepreparedtorolloutafleetofcarsfeaturingbuilt-intoilets.They’reputtingalittlerestroominyourvroom-vroom.Seres,Chinesecarmakerspecializinginhigh-endelectricvehicles(NEVs)andintelligenttechnology,hasbeengrantedapatentforwhatitcallsan“in-vehicletoilet”thatslidesunderapassenger’sseatformid-tripuse.Thefeatureismeantto“satisfyusers’toiletneedsonlongjourneys,whilecampingorwhilestayinginthecar,”accordingtothepatentSeresfiledwiththeChinaNationalIntellectualPropertyAdministration.And,asiftheabilitytorelieveyourselfwhileontherunisn’tcoolenough,thecarmakersreportedlyplantoequiptheloo(马桶)toappearwitheitherthepushofabuttonorthroughvoice-activatedcommands.Tolimitstrong,unpleasantsmells,theloocomeswithafanandanexhaustpipe,implementedtochannelsmellsoutofthecar.Wasteiscollectedinatankthathastobeemptiedmanually.Thetoiletalsoboastsarotatingheatingelementthatevaporatesurine(蒸发尿液)anddriesotherwaste.Whennotinuse,thetoiletishiddenbeneaththeseat,makingfulluseofthespaceinsideacarwithoutrequiringmoreroom.Seres,basedinChongqing,hasnotannouncedanofficialreleaseofvehicleswiththeonboardbathroom.It’sunclearifcarsboastingtheluxurioustoiletswillever,actually,hittheChineseelectricvehiclemarket.It’saboomingindustrywithinnovatorsclaimingtopumpoutthetrendiest,mostfuturisticfrills(配置),includingeverythingfromtheabilitytoflydownNYCroadwaysatover200MPHtoliterallyflyinginthesky.In-vehicletoilets,however,aremuchmorerare,butnottotallyunprecedented.A1954carRolls-RoyceSilverWraithLimousine,featuringapassengerseatpotbyJosephJMascuch,soldfor$150,000.ThebrainchildoftheinventorfromNewJerseymakesitpossiblefortravelersintheirluxuriousridestofinalizedealsfromtheinbuilttelephonebeforetakingabottlefromthegold-platedtoilet-cum-champagnecoolerundertheseatcushion.Nowthat’stakingaleakinluxury.32.WhydoesSeresrolloutcarswithbuilt-intoilets?A.Tomatchcartelephones.B.Tobeatothercarmakers.C.Topromoteintelligenttechnology.D.Tomeetusers’toiletneedsontrips.33.Whichaspectsofin-vehicletoiletdoesParagraph3focuson?A.Priceandmarket.B.Originandhistory.C.Designandfunction.D.Brandandcompetition.34.WhyisJosephJMascuchmentioned?A.Topromotehislatestinvention.B.Toexplainhowtomakeacartoilet.C.Toshowhisfameinthecarindustry.D.Toprovein-vehicletoiletsarenotnovel.35.Whatisthebesttitleforthetext?A.FuturisticFrills:Built-inToiletsinEVsB.GrantedPatent:GroundbreakingrevolutionC.FlyingVehicles:AmazingTrafficInnovationD.OutdoorTravel:ConvenientCampingEquipment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Nothingisworsethanneedingrainandthenhavinganumberofstormsfinallyrollthroughonlytoleaveyouryardfullofstandingwater.Fortunately,theeasiestwaytomanagesuchissueinyouryardiscreatingaraingarden. 36Theynormallycontainpollinator(传粉者)-friendlynativeplantsbecausetheyhavedeeperrootsthannon-nativedecorativeplants.Sotheyarebetterabletoabsorbwaterinsteadofallowingittopoolandsitonthesurface.Evenifstandingwaterisn’taproblem,raingardensofferotheradvantages.Becausetheycontainnativeplants,theyprovidehabitatsforimportantpollinatorsandattractmorebirdstoyouryard.37Afterastorm,runofffromyouryardpicksuprubbishandsometimeschemicalpollutants,carryingthemdownhilltothenearestwaterway.Araingardenstopsthisoverflowbytrappingthewaterandusingsoilandplantrootstopurifyit.38Thisalsopreventsflooding,asitkeepsheavyrainwaterfromrushingintowaterwaysallatonce.Thenhowtomakeyourownraingarden?39It’seasiesttochooseanareathat’salreadylowerthantherestofyouryardandtendstocollectwater.However,you’llalsowanttomakesuretheraingardenisatleast10feetfromyourhouseandawayfromanyundergroundfacilitiesortreeroots.Onceyou’vefoundtheperfectplace,it’stimetodigyourgardenandchooseyourplants.It’sagoodideatoplantamixtureofdifferentkindsofplants.Luckily,becausethey’refullofnativeplants,raingardensdon’tneedmuchcarebesidessomeweedingandwateringduringthefirstyear.40A.Togetstarted,selecttherightlocation.B.Alldone,justrelaxandenjoyabetterenvironment.C.Manypeoplelovegrowingvegetablesintheiryards.D.Thecleanwaterthenrechargesgroundwatersupplies.E.Raingardenscanalsohelpprotectlocalwatersystems.F.Raingardensareeasy-careplotsinlow-lyingyardareas.G.Butremembertodesignonebasedonlocalrainfallconditions.KashifHodawaswaitingforatrainwhenayoungmanaskedhimfordirections.Mr.Hodawas41bytheman’sthick-framedglasses,buthedidnotrealizethattheyweresmartglassesandthatasmallwhitelightindicatedthattheywere42.Afewminuteslater,thesameman,aHarvardjuniornamedAnhPhuNguyen,43himagainandasked,“Doyou44toworkoncommunityissues?”Mr.Hodawas45.Hecurrentlyworkedinbiotechnologybuthadpreviouslybeenajournalist46socialmatters.“I’vereadyour47before,”Mr.Nguyensaid.“That’ssupercool.”TheyshookhandsbeforeMr.Hoda48histrain,stillprocessinghowstrangethe49hadbeen.Aweeklater,hefoundoutjusthowstrange:hehadbeenaguineapiginanexperiment.Mr.NguyenandafellowHarvardstudent,CaineArdayfio,hadbuiltglassesusedforidentifying50inrealtime,andhad51themontwo“realpeople”atthesubwaystation,includingMr.Hoda.NowthetwostudentsaskedMr.Hodaforhis52tofeaturehiminavideo,andheagreed,believingittobeanimportantdemonstrationofwhatnewtechnologycouldachieve.Thevideowentviral.Mr.Nguyenexplainedinaninterviewthattheirsystemreliedonwidely53technologies.“Allthetoolswerethere.Wejusthadtheideatocombinethemtogether.”Headdedthattheyhadnodesiretocommercializethisprojectandhad54wantedtoshowitwaspossible.Healsoencouragedpeopleto55theirinformationfromdatabrokersitesthatcanrevealprivatedetails.41.A.guidedB.struckC.challengedD.inspired42.A.recordingB.chargingC.loadingD.reflecting43.A.helpedB.questionedC.approachedD.invited44.A.rememberB.intendC.regretD.happen45.A.shockedB.amusedC.embarrassedD.relieved46.A.solvingB.organizingC.reformingD.covering47.A.novelB.poemC.workD.diary48.A.lookedforB.gotonC.wavedatD.signaledfor49.A.adventureB.relationshipC.encounterD.task50.A.strangersB.journalistsC.studentsD.friends51.A.discoveredB.placedC.basedD.demonstrated52.A.forgivenessB.permissionC.informationD.application53.A.advertisedB.availableC.unpopularD.debated54.A.suddenlyB.occasionallyC.immediatelyD.simply55.A.obtainB.removeC.updateD.analyzeOnApril4,thefirstdayoftheQingmingholidays,26-year-oldSunYihengtraveledalongdistancetoateagardeninHuzhoutoexperiencefirsthandthetraditionalartofteapicking.ForSun,teahaslongbeenanessentialpartofdailylifeinChina,whichmadehereagertodiscover56freshtealeavesturnintothedrinkweenjoy.Visitingduringspring,aseasonassociatedwithrenewal,also57(offer)herachancetoexperiencenatureupclose.Sunisnotalone.OnChina’slifestyle-sharingplatformXiaohongshu,58(post)aboutteagardenvisitsandteacultureexperiencesacrossthecountryareincreasinglycommon.The59(enthusiastic)abouttea-pickingexperiencesreflectsagrowingdesireamongyoungChinese60(step)intotraditioninamoretangibleway,saidZhuYi,anassociateprofessoratChinaAgriculturalUniversityinBeijing.ZhangMenglu,headofPu’erTengyiTeaCo.,overseesabout240hectaresofteagardensinPu’er.Duringpeakseason,80to120participantspourintoherteagardendailywherestaffmembersteachthemtoidentifytherightbuds(花芽),pickcarefully,61workthrougheachstepofprocessing,sothattheyleave62theteatheyhavemadethemselves.Experientialteapickinginthesegardenstypicallyfocuseson63(young)plantationtrees,whichareeasiertomanageandbettersuitedforbotheducationaltoursandphoto-orientedvisits.Bycontrast,accesstoancientteatrees64(keep)withinspecifiedzonestominimizehumanimpact,whichallowsvisitorstotakepartinimmersiveexperienceswhilealso65(gain)anawarenessofecologicalprotection,accordingtoZhang.你校英文报“Opinion”栏目正在进行征稿，请你就影响未来职业选择的三个要素：兴趣与热情（interestandpassion工资与个人发展（salaryandself-development和社会认可与期待（socialrecognitionandexpectations按重要性排序，并阐述理由。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。RankingMyCareerChoiceEssentialsAsherlovedspendingtimeinhisgrandfather’sgarden.Everyevening,hecarefullyheldthewateringcanashisgrandfathershowedhimhowtopourjusttherightamountoneachplant.“Theseplantsneedus,Asher,”Grandpaoftensaid.“Ifwetakecareofthem,theywilltakecareofus.”Asherlovedplants.Helovedtheirbrightgreenleaves,thewaytheydancedinthewind,andhowfreshtheysmelledafterrain.Plantsmadehimfeelcalmandsafe.Butwhenitcametopeople,Asherwasnotsoconfident.Atschool,hewasoneofthequietestkids.Whileotherslaughedandplayedloudly,heoftensatalone,unsurehowtojointhem.Oneafternoonduringbreak,Asherwalkedpastthebigoaktree(橡树)neartheplayground.Agroupofkidsstoodnearby,pullingleavesfromitslowerbranchesandthrowingthemintotheair.“Look!Leafrain!”oneofthemshouted,laughing.Asher’schesttightened.Helovedtrees.Heknewthatleaveshelpedtreesbreatheandgrow.Hewantedtosaysomething,butfearheldhimback.Whatiftheylaughedathim?Whatiftheyignoredhim?Afteramoment,heturnedawayandwalkedbacktotheclassroomwithoutsayingaword.Thatevening,Ashersatinthegardenwithhisgrandfather,wateringtheplantsasusual,buthismindwasnotatpeace.HissilencedidnotescapeGrandpa.Afterawhile,Ashersharedwhathadhappenedatschoolandhowhefelt.Heexplainedthathewantedtoprotectthetreebutdidnotfeelbraveenough.Hisgrandfatherlistenedcarefully.HetoldAsherthatcouragedoesnotmeanbeingfearless.Itmeansdoingwhatisright,evenwhenfearispresent.HeremindedAsherthatchangeoftenbeginswithonesmallvoiceandonebravechoice.ThosewordsstayedinAsher’smindallnight.注意：（1）续写词数应为150个左右；（2）请按如下格式在相应位置作答。Thenextdayduringbreak,Ashersawthesamekidspullingleavesjustlikebefore.ThekidssoonagreedtoAsher’ssuggestion.英语1-5CBABA6-10AACBC11-15CBAAC16-20BCBAC21-23CBC24-27DABB28-31BDAB32-35DCDA36-40FEDAB41-45BACDA46-50DCBCA51-55DBBDB56.how57.offered58.posts59.enthusiasm60.tostep61.and62.with63.younger64.iskept65.gainingOnepossibleversionRankingMyCareerChoiceEssentialsChoosingapropercareercountsasalife-alteringdecisionforyoungsters.Irankmycorecareerprioritiesfromthemosttotheleastimportant:interestandpassion,salaryandself-development,socialrecognitionandexpectations.Mytoppriorityisinterestandpassion.Genuineinterestfuelsperseveranceamidhardships,bringingpricelessspiritualsatisfaction.Jobswithoutpassionwilleventuallyturndull.Nextcomessalaryandself-development:salarycoversmydailynecessities,whileself-developmentequipsmewithlastingcompetitivenessagainstongoingindustrialupdates.Iputsocialrecognitionandexpectationsinthirdplace,forearningpublicrespectandmeetingsocietalstandardsserveaspowerfulmotivation.Overall,Ivalueinnersatisfactionandfutureprogressaboveimmediatematerialbenefitsincareerselection.OnepossibleversionThenextdayduringbreak,Ashersawthesamekidspullingleavesjustlikebefore.Thistime,hedidn’twalkaway.Hisheartpounded,butGrandpa’swordsechoedinhismind:couragemeansdoingwhatisrightevenwhenyouareafraid.Takingashakybreath,Ashersteppedforward.“Hey,”hesaid,hisvoicebarelyaboveawhisper.“Pleasestop.”Thekidsturned,surprised.“Leaveshelptreesbreathe,”Ashercontinued,tryingtosoundcalm.“Ifyoupullthemalloff,thetreecouldgetsickanddie.”Foralongmoment,nobodyspoke.Thenoneboydroppedtheleafinhishand.“Really?”heasked.“Ineverthoughtaboutthat.”Ashernodded,feelingasmallwaveofconfidence.“Insteadofhurtingit,”hesuggested,“wecouldprotectittogether.”ThekidssoonagreedtoAshersuggestion.Theyfetchedcardboardandbrightmarkersfromtheclassroomandmadealargesignthatread,“ProtectOurTree—ItGivesUsShadeandCleanAir.”Together,theytiedittotheoaktree.Overthenextfewweeks,thegrouptookturnswateringthetreeandpickinguplitteraroundit.Ashernolongersataloneduringbreak.Hestoodandlaughedwithhisnewfriendsunderthespreadingbranches.Oneafternoon,Grandpacametopickhimupandsawthesign.Hiseyesshonewithpride.“Yousee,Asher?”hesaidquietly.“Youtookcareofthetree,andthetreebroughtyoufriends.”Ashersmiled,feelingthewarmsunandanevenwarmersenseofbelonging.Hefinallyunderstood:whenwetakecareofplants,theytakecareofusinwaysweneverexpect.M:Whatwouldyousayisyourfavoritesubjectathighschool?W:Ifyouaskedmeayearago,Iwouldhavesaidmath,butnowI’mreallyintohistory.M:Thenthat’swhatyoushouldlooktostudyatuniversity.W:OK.I’llgiveitsomethought.W:Hey,where’smychocolate?M:Stillinthemachine.Thatthingatemymoneybutdidn’tgiveoutwhatIpaidfor!I’mgettingtiredofthis.I’mcallingtherepairguy,rightnow.W:Goodidea!IneedsugarifI’mgoingtobeworkingovertime!M:There’saspiderinthebathroom.Ican’tgoin!W:Oh,comeon,it