浙江省強(qiáng)基聯(lián)盟2024屆高三上學(xué)期適應(yīng)性考試英語試題（含答案 無聽力音頻 無聽力原文）

第第頁浙江省強(qiáng)基聯(lián)盟2024屆高三上學(xué)期適應(yīng)性考試英語試題（含答案無聽力音頻無聽力原文）浙江省強(qiáng)基聯(lián)盟2024屆高三上學(xué)期適應(yīng)性考試

英語試題

本試卷共8頁。全卷滿分150分?？荚囉脮r(shí)120分鐘。

注意事項(xiàng)：

1.答卷前，考生務(wù)必將自己的姓名、準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)填寫在答題卡上。

2.回答選擇題時(shí)，選出每小題答案后，用鉛筆把答題卡對(duì)應(yīng)題目的答案標(biāo)號(hào)涂黑。如需改動(dòng)，用橡皮擦干凈后，再選涂其他答案標(biāo)號(hào)?；卮鸱沁x擇題時(shí)，將答案寫在答題卡上。寫在本試卷上無效。

3.考試結(jié)束后，將本試卷和答題卡一并交回。

第一部分聽力（共兩節(jié)，滿分30分）

做題時(shí)，先將答案標(biāo)在試卷上。錄音內(nèi)容結(jié)束后，你將有兩分鐘的時(shí)間將試卷上的答案轉(zhuǎn)涂到答題卡上。

第一節(jié)（共5小題；每小題1.5分，滿分7.5分）

聽下面5段對(duì)話。每段對(duì)話后有一個(gè)小題，從題中所給的A、B、C三個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。聽完每段對(duì)話后，你都有10秒鐘的時(shí)間來回答有關(guān)小題和閱讀下一小題。每段對(duì)話僅讀一遍。

1.Whereisthewomangoingnext

A.Thebedroom.B.Thekitchen.C.Thebathroom.

2.Whatisthewomancomplainingabout

A.Linda’sexamresults.

B.Linda’slearningattitude.

C.Linda’scommunicationskills.

3.WhatjobisScottdoingatpresent

A.Asalesman.B.Awaiter.C.Astudent.

4.Wherearethespeakersnow

A.Atarestaurant.B.Atafurnitureshop.C.Atthewoman’shouse.

5.WhoisstudyingatHarvardUniversity

A.Thewoman.B.Theman.C.Theman’ssister.

第二節(jié)（共15小題；每小題1.5分，滿分22.5分）

聽下面5段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白。每段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白后有幾個(gè)小題，從題中所給的A、B、C三個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。聽每段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白前，你將有時(shí)間閱讀各個(gè)小題，每小題5秒鐘，聽完后，各小題將給出5秒鐘的作答時(shí)間。每段對(duì)話或獨(dú)白讀兩遍。

聽第6段材料，回答第6、7題。

6.Whydoesthewomanfeelupset

A.Shetypestooslowly.

B.Shefailedtosaveareport.

C.Hercomputerisbrokenagain.

7.WhenisJane’sreportdue

A.NextMonday.B.NextTuesday.C.NextThursday.

聽第7段材料，回答第8、9題。

8.WhatisNickreadingnow

A.Apoem.B.Anovel.C.Amagazine.

9.What’sthewoman’sattitudetowardsMaryVanderbilt’sstory

A.Opposed.B.Curious.C.Indifferent.

聽第8段材料，回答第10至12題。

10.Whowillthemandrivetotheairport

A.Helen.B.Hisroommate.C.HisroommateandHelen.

11.WherewillthewomanmeetLisa

A.Ataconcert.B.AtLisa’shouse.C.Atamusiccamp.

12.WhatcommoninterestdoHelenandLisashare

A.Skiing.B.Collectingstamps.C.Listeningtomusic.

聽第9段材料，回答第13至16題。

13.Whatcanweknowaboutthewoman

A.Shehasagiftforlanguages.

B.ShehaslearnedEnglishforlong.

C.ShesignedupforanEnglishcourse.

14.Whatisthemangoingtodonextyear

A.Studyabroad.B.Joinaclub.C.TourBritain.

15.Whichofthewoman’ssuggestionsdoesthemantake

A.Thefirstone.B.Thesecondone.C.Thethirdone.

16.Whatwillthespeakersdotogetherthisevening

A.Seeafilm.B.Cleanthehouse.C.ReadEnglishnewspapers.

聽第10段材料，回答第17至20題。

17.Howmuchdoanadultticketandachildticketcost

A.About$36.B.About$38.C.About$40.

18.Whatdoesthespeakerthinkofthewhale-themedspaces

A.Confusing.B.Interesting.C.Special.

19.Whatistheattractiononthe120thfloor

A.Asmallcafe.B.Aglassfloor.C.Anoutdoorbalcony.

20.Whatdoesthespeakersayabouttherestaurant

A.It’sonthe122ndfloor.

B.Itsfoodisinexpensive.

C.Ithasgoodnaturallight.

第二部分閱讀（共兩節(jié)，滿分50分）

第一節(jié)（共15小題;每小題2.5分，滿分37.5分）

閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。

A

HistoricSitesinParis

Parisisacityfullofsitesofdifferenttimesandarchitecturalstyles.Herearesomeofthesefamousspotsthatareessentialtounderstandthecity’scomplicatedpast.

EiffelTower

Presentedaspartofthe1889WorldExpositioninParis,theEiffelTowerhasbecomethecity’smostfamousattraction.ItisaccessibleonLine6orLine8oftheParisMetrobyBir-HakeimorTrocadérostations.Ifpossible,avoidvisitingthisspotatpeakhours（10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.）oronweekends,soyoucanmakethemostofyourvisittoenjoytheviewsfromthetop.Thebestmomentsarerightafteritfirstopensonweekdays.

Notre-DameCathedral

Datingbacktothe12thcentury,theNotre-DameCathedralhaslongtoweredalongsidethebanksoftheSeineRiver,WithitscomplicatedGothic（哥特式的）architecturaldetails,itrepresentsParisianreligionandarchitecture.Unfortunately,afirebrokeoutonApril15,2023,destroyingpartofit.Visitorsarenotallowedtoenternow.

LouvreMuseum

LouvreMuseumisoneofthemostfamousartmuseumsintheworldwhereyoucanwitnessthecity’srichpaintinghistoryfromthemedieval（中世紀(jì)的）periodtothepresent.ItiseasilyaccessibleonLine1fromthePalaisRoyal-MuséeduLouvrestation.ItisclosedonTuesdaysaswellasJanuary1,May1,andDecember25eachyear.

ArcdeTriomphe

TheArcdeTriompheservesasanationalsymbolofFrance,whichwasbuiltbyNapoleonIincelebrationofthevictoryattheBattleofAusterlitz.TakeLine1,2,or6toCharlesdeGaulle-EtoilestationandyouwillseetheArcdeTriomphe.Visitorscanpurchaseticketsforatourtothetoptoenjoytheviewsofthecity.

21.WhichisthebesttimetovisitEiffelTower

A.At2:00p.m.,Sunday.

B.At9:00a.m.,Monday.

C.At11:00a.m.,Tuesday.

D.At10:00a.m.,Saturday.

22.Whereshouldvisitorsgoiftheyareinterestedinarthistory

A.EiffelTower.B.LouvreMuseum.

C.ArcdeTriomphe.D.Notre-DameCathedral.

23.Whatcanbeinferredfromthelistedattractions

A.Theyrequireticketsforatour.

B.Theyareeasilyaccessiblebysubway.

C.Theyallowvisitorstoenteronholidays.

D.TheyarespotstoshowthehistoryofParis.

B

WhenIpickedupTheWoksofLife,acookbookwrittenbytheLeungfamily,Iwasveryexcited.Insidetherearemom-and-dadapprovedrecipeswithstoriesandphotos—evenatimeline—ofthefamily’shistory.

“Wecallourcookbookculinarygenealogy（烹飪家譜）.Wewantedthebooktobeourfamily’sstoriestoldthroughfood,ratherthanjustcharacteristicrecipes,”saidSarahLeung,whoco-wrotethebookduringthepandemic（流行病）withherparentsandyoungersister.“Wegrewupinafood-obsessed（著迷的）family.Honestly,I’vedevelopedaquarteroftheserecipesmyself,”Sarahadded.“Overtime,we’llaccomplishourgoal:AllfamilymembersarecompetentChinesecooks.”

ThecookbookfeaturesdisheswhichmightbemadeinaChineseAmericanhomeaswellasinChineseAmericantakeoutrestaurants.“Home-stylecookingandrestaurant-stylecookinghaveequalimportance,buttheyaredifferent,”Sarahsaid,addingthatthefamilyalsodiscussedhowtoberespectfulofeachpoint.“IhopetherecipeswillappealtoChineseAmericans,likemyfamily,andalsothoselessfamiliarwithChinesecooking.”

Partoftheircookbookhasalsobeenpostedontheirwebsiteattractingmillionsoffaithfulfollowers.Thesuccessofthecookbookisthatithonorstraditionaswellasreflectsmoderninterpretations,makingitamixtureoftheoldandthenew.ItalsooffersbuildingblocksforhomecookswhowanttolearntocookChinesefood.

IstartedmyexplorationwiththeKungPaoChicken,apopulardishandalsomyfavorite.Joyfully,thedishImadetastedlikeitwassupposedtobe.Itreallybuiltupmyconfidence.Surely,asyoucanimagine,IhavealsosetupmygoaltobeexpertinChinesecooking.

ThecookbookispromotingChinesecookingtobecomethedomainofhomecooksintheUnitedStates.Fortoolong,Chinesecookinghasbeenacuisinethatmanypeopleareusedtoonlyeatingout.

24.Whyisthecookbookcalledculinarygenealogy

A.Itrunsinthefamily.

B.Itiswrittenbyfamilymembers.

C.Itincludesthestoryofafamily.

D.Itcontainsmom-and-dadapprovedrecipes.

25.WhichofthefollowingbestdescribestheLeungfamily

A.Easygoingandhelpful.

B.Faithfulandenergetic.

C.Devotedandconsiderate.

D.Fortunateandthankful.

26.WhatdoestheauthorthinkofTheWoksofLife

A.ItisatypicalChinesecookbook.

B.Itssuccessliesinhonoringtradition.

C.Itoffersbuildingblocksforallcooks.

D.Ithelpsimprovetheauthor’scookingskills.

27.Whatcanbeinferredfromthelastparagraph

A.MostAmericansareusedtoeatingout.

B.Thecookbookhasbecomeabestseller.

C.AmericanhomecookspreferChinesecooking.

D.ThecookbookbenefitsthespreadofChinesecooking.

C

Arelationshipbetweentheamountofadultspeechchildrenareexposedtoandtheconcentrationofmyelin,asubstanceinthebrain,hasbeenfound,researcherssay.

“Ithinkthetake-homemessageis,absolutelytalkingtoyourkids.It’sliterallyshapingthestructureofthebrain,”saystheleadauthor,Prof.JohnP.SpenceroftheUniversityofEastAnglia.

Theteamfind,forthe30-month-olds,largeramountsofadultspeechareassociatedwithhigherquantitiesofmyelininlanguage-relatedpathwaysinthebrain;however,forthe6-month-olds,itgoestheoppositeway.

Whilethelatter（后者）isunexpected,Spencerpointsoutonepossiblefactor:thebrain’sstageofdevelopment.

“Whenbabiesaresixmonthsold,theyexperiencemassivegrowthofnewnervecells,”hesays.“Sotheinputcomesinandmayhelpextendtheperiodofbraingrowth.”“Whileat30months,thebrainstartstocutbacksomeofthecellgrowth,andformspecificconnections.That’swheremyelincomesin.Sonowtheinputstartstohelpstructurethemyelin,”headds.

Theresearchersconcludeadultspeechissignificantforbothagegroupsandthatthemoreadultspeechchildrengothrough,themoresensitivetheywillbetolanguage.Thenextstepforthemistofigureoutwhetherthe6-month-oldbabiesshowingthatnegativeconnectionwillsurelyturninto30-month-oldkidswhoshowpositiverelationship.

Dr.SaloniKrishnan,Readerincognitiveneuroscience（認(rèn)知神經(jīng)科學(xué)）atRoyalHolloway,UniversityofLondon,whoisnotinvolvedinthework,however,notesindividualdifferencesinlanguageabilityarelinkedtogenetics.“Childrenwhoareexposedtomorelanguageathomeandhavehighermyelinationwillalsohaveinheritedgenes（經(jīng)遺傳獲得的基因）fromparentswhoaremoreexcellentinlanguages,”shesaid.“Nofinalconclusioncouldbemadebeforethispotentialgeneticeffectaretested.Andyettherebeingcurrentlynostandardaroundtheamountofinputchildrenshouldreceive,caregiversshouldnotnecessarilyfeelpressuretotalkmoretotheirchildren.”

28.Whichcanreplacetheunderlinedwords“take-homemessage”inparagraph2

A.Process.B.Reason.

C.Point.D.Consequence.

29.Whatsurprisestheteam

A.Thefindingforthe30-month-olds.

B.Thefindingforthe6-month-olds.

C.Howtheinputhelpnervecellsgrow.

D.Howtheinputhelpstructurethemyelin.

30.Whatdoestheresearchersthinkofadultspeech

A.Itispositivelyrelatedtomyelin.

B.Itcutsbacksomeofthecellgrowth.

C.Itseffectvarieswiththesizeofbrains.

D.Itishelpfulforbothgroups’languageability.

31.WhatmightDr.SaloniKrishnanapproveof

A.Theteamshoulddomoreresearch.

B.Inheritedgenesdecidelanguageability.

C.Parentsmusttalkmoretotheirkids.

D.Theconcentrationofmyelinmakesnosense.

D

NoisyfamilyLoudconstructionrightoutsideyourwindowAnewflexibleloudspeakercouldhelpyouresteasily.Itcouldturnyourwallsintonoise-cancelingsystems.

Thenewloudspeakerisaboutasthickasafewsheetsofpaper.It’slightweightandflexibleenoughtosticktomostsurfacestocontrolnoisemucheasier,notesJinchiHan,anelectricalengineerattheMassachusettsInstituteofTechnologyinCambridge.

Lotsofdome-shaped（圓頂狀的）microstructuresareinthecentreofthenewspeaker.Han’steamsandwichestheirnewmaterialbetweentwoplasticsheetstoprotectthedomes.“Thebottomlayerliftsupthesmalldomessothattheycanvibrate（震動(dòng)）freely,andtheupperprotectivelayeristhickerthanthedomesthataresecuredinthemiddleofthelayers,”heexplains.“Soifyoutouchthesurface,youdon’tneedtoworryaboutdamagingthesesmallstructures.”

Hanpointsoutlargeareaofthenewmaterialcouldmakecontrollingnoisemucheasier.

Eachdomeworksasatinyspeaker.Thedomescangeneratesoundwavesalltogether,ingroupsorindividually.Wallpaperingyourbedroomwiththismaterialwouldcreatespeakersallaroundyou.Thosesamespeakerscouldthendampenorcancelunwantedsound.“Ifyoudesire,youcouldturnanyspaceintoaquietzonewhereyoucouldsleeporstudywithbarelyanynoise,”Hansays.Healsoseesapplicationsincars,airplanes,apartmentsorwhereverunwantednoiseisaproblem.

Largeversionscouldbethenextstepforthissuper-thinspeakers,saysLoriBeckstead,asoundartist.

“Thenewspeakersaresothinandlightthattheycouldbeplacedinspaceswheretraditionalloudspeakersmighthavebeenimpractical,”Becksteadadds.Shenotesthataddingnoise-cancelingtechnologytoloudspacesfromrestaurantstonoisyindustrialplantswouldbefantastic.

32.Whatcanwelearnaboutthenewloudspeakerfromthefirstparagraph

A.Itcouldreduceunwantednoise.

B.Itcoversavastarea.

C.Itisflexibletoanyconstruction.

D.Itproducesmuchnoise.

33.Whyisthesurfaceofthedomesafetotouch

A.Thebottomlayerliftsupthedome.

B.Itcangeneratesoundwavesalltogether.

C.Itisprotectedbytheupperandbottomlayers.

D.Theupperprotectivelayeristhickerthanthedome.

34.WhatisthebenefitofthenewmaterialaccordingtoHan

A.Loudnoisyspacesareusingiteffectivelynow.

B.Itcouldcontrolnoisemoreeffectivelywhenusedlargely.

C.Anyspacecouldbeturnedintoazero-noiseonebyusingit.

D.Wallpaperingyourbedroomwithitcreatescomfortablesound.

35.WhatisBeckstead’sattitudetotheapplicationofthenewspeakers

A.Favorable.B.Intolerant.

C.Doubtful.D.Unclear.

第二節(jié)（共5小題；每小題2.5分，滿分12.5分）

閱讀下面短文，從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。

Whenstudentsgethome,theyusuallysitdownatthetableandpullouttheirhomework.Pilesofpapersriseallthewaytotheceiling.Americanstudentsshouldgetlesshomeworkonadailybasis.36

Loadsofhomeworkcancausestressinastudentandleadtohealthissuesinthebodyandmind.Stresscauseslackofsleep,slippinggrades,tiredness,unhealthyeatinghabits,depression,andsoon.Nervousbreakdownscanmakecompletinghomeworkmuchmoreofastruggleandalsoeffectthehealthandlifeofastudent.

37Therecommendedamountis10minutestimesthegradelevel.Sofirstgradegets10minutes;secondgradegets20minutes;thirdgradegets30minutes,andsoon,butkidsaredoingmuchmorethanthat.Twentythreepercentof13-year-oldsdomorethan2hoursanight.38Thereisnoacademicbenefitforhighschoolstudentsafter2hoursandtherearenoacademicbenefitsformiddleschoolstudentsafter1andahalfhours.

Doinghomeworkallnightcantakeawayastudent’sfreetimeandsleep.Alwaysdoinghomeworkcanleadtolesstimeforsportsandafter-schoolactivities.39Worsestill,hangingoutwithfriendsisdecreased,sothatmeansthereislesssocializing.Stayinguplateanddoinghomeworktakesawayastudent’stimetosleep.Notenoughsleepcanleavestudentstired,andatschooltheymightfocuslessorfallasleepduringclass.

Shouldn’tstudentsgetlesshomeworksothattheycanbehappyandhavemoretimewithfamilyandfriends40Ifteachersandparentstriedtoreducetheamountofhomework,therewouldbeadecreaseinstressandanxietyandanincreaseinhappiness!

A.Lackofsleepcancausegreatstress.

B.Themorethestudentsdo,thelesstheygetoutofdoingit.

C.Administrators,teachers,andparentsneedtoaddressthisissue.

D.Familytimeisalsodecreased,whichcanaddmorefamilyconflict.

EHomework-relatedanxietyandstresscanaffectschoolworknegatively.

F.Kidsaredoingmorethantherecommendedamountwithnoacademicbenefits.

G.Anyway,toomuchhomeworkcancausequiteafewphysicalandmentalproblems.

第三部分語言運(yùn)用（共兩節(jié)，滿分30分）

第一節(jié)（共15小題；每小題1分，滿分15分）

閱讀下面短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。

Amistakemadesixyearsagohasturnedintoaholidaytradition.Agrandmotherwhomistakenly41astrangertoattendthefamily’sThanksgivingdinnerin2023endedupmakinga42,andnowthepairhave43theholidaytogethereveryyearsince.Thisyearisnoexception.

In2023,WandaDenchtriedtotexthergrandsonaboutthefamily’sThanksgivingdinnerplans,butshe44addedastrangertothemessage.JamalHintonwasonthereceivingendoftheholidaytextandjokinglyacceptedher45.

“You’renotmygrandma,”Hintonwroteback,includingaselfieto46hewasnotthegrandsonDenchthoughtshewastexting.“CanIstillgetaplatethough”

Dencheverthe47grandmother,replied,“Ofcourseyoucan.That’swhatGrandmasdo...48everyone.”Hintonpostedaboutthefunnymix-upanditwentviral（瘋傳）.AndonThanksgivingday,he49drovefromTempe,ArizonatoMesato50theDenchfamilyfortheholiday.Andeveryyearsince,HintonandDenchhavegottogetherfortheholiday.

In2023,heinformedfollowersofsomesadnews—Dench’shusband,Lonnie,haddiedfromCOVID-19.SolastThanksgiving,51Lonnie,thefamilyheldasmall,pared-down（精簡(jiǎn)的）52thedayaftertheholidaytokeepthe53alive.

Thisyear,Hintontweeted,“Weareallsetforyear6!”,54ascreenshotoftheirtextexchangeasusual.Dench’snameissavedinhisphoneas“GrandmaWanda”.Thestoryof55wentviralagain—spreadingsomeholidaycheeronsocialmedia.

41.A.remindedB.invitedC.forcedD.allowed

42.A.friendB.dealC.decisionD.story

43.A.plannedB.organizedC.celebratedD.booked

44.A.carefullyB.purposefullyC.secretlyD.accidentally

45.A.giftB.ideaC.offerD.apology

46.A.argueB.pretendC.showD.announce

47.A.generousB.strictC.patientD.caring

48.A.forgiveB.feedC.rememberD.understand

49.A.casuallyB.hardlyC.nearlyD.actually

50.A.disturbB.joinC.greetD.congratulate

51.A.inhonorofB.insearchofC.inpraiseofD.inplaceof

52.A.conversationB.conferenceC.competitionD.gathering

53.A.mistakeB.newsC.traditionD.holiday

54.A.takingB.enjoyingC.collectingD.sharing

55.A.honestyB.kindnessC.generosityD.toughness

第二節(jié)（共10小題；每小題1.5分，滿分15分）

閱讀下面短文，在空白處填入1個(gè)適當(dāng)?shù)膯卧~或括號(hào)內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。

Beingshyissomethingthataffectslotsofpeople,andittypicallystartsinchildhood.As56expertfortheBabyAnnabellAskTheExpertscampaign,peoplehaveaskedmeif57(have)ashypersonalityissomethingwearebornwithorifit’ssomethingwedevelop58(base)onourexperiences.

Actually,itcanbeeitherorabitofboth.Ihadprettyoutgoing,confidentparents,andtherearesome59(study)thatsuggestthemoreconfidentoroutspokenaparentinchildhood,theshyerachildcould60(potential)become.

Someresearchhasshownthatthemoresensitivetheparentis61theirchild’sneeds,andrespondsappropriatelytothem,theriskofshynessdecreases.Inmycasethisis62happened—myparentsturnedintomeandmyneedsandtheshynessallbut63(disappear)completelyovertime.

Ontheotherhand,aperson’spersonalityhasa64(biology)basis,andhaslongbeensaidcanbeidentifiedfrombabiesonlyafewmonthsold.It’simportanttorecognizethoughthatachild’spersonalitycanchange,andgraduallyasthey65(expose)tomoreandmorepeople,objectsandsituations,signsofshynesscanfadeaway.

第四部分寫作（共兩節(jié)；滿分40分）

第一節(jié)（滿分15分）

假定你是李華，你是學(xué)校文學(xué)社的社長。社團(tuán)成立十周年，將舉辦一系列的活動(dòng)。請(qǐng)你給外教老師David寫一封郵件邀請(qǐng)他參加，內(nèi)容包括：

1.寫信目的；

2.活動(dòng)時(shí)間、地點(diǎn)和內(nèi)容；

3.你的期待。

參考詞匯：周年紀(jì)念日anniversary

注意：

1.寫作詞數(shù)應(yīng)為80左右；

2.請(qǐng)按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。

第二節(jié)（滿分25分）

閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。

IfyouhadtochooseonewordtodescribeKevin,itmighthavebeen“slow”.Hedidn’tlearnhisABCsasfastasotherkids.Henevercameinfirstintheschoolyardraces.However,hissmilewasbrighterthanthesuninJune;hisheartwasbiggerthanthemountainsky.Kevin’senthusiasmforlifewasquiteinfectious.

WhenKevinjoinedtheboys’schoolbasketballteam,basketballbecamethecenterofhislife.Atpractice,heworkedsohardthatyou’dthinkhewaspreparingfortheNBA.Helikedtostandinacertainplacenearthefree-throwlineandshootatthebasket.Patiently,hestoodtherethrowingballafterballafterball.“Lookatme,Coach!”he’dshoutatRandy,jumpingupanddownwiththeexcitementofshooting.

Kevinandhiswholeteamtrulylovedbasketball.Butjustlovingthegamedidn’thelpthemwin.Moreballsfelloutofthebasketthanintoit,andtheboyslosteverygamethatseason,exceptone—thenightwhenitsnowedandtheotherteamcouldn’tmakeittothegame.

Itwasacoldsnowingafternoonwhentheirlastgamecame.Asthelast-placeteamtheyplayedagainstthefirst-placeteam.Thegamewentprettymuchthesameasexpected,andnearthemiddleofthefourthquarterKevin’steamstoodnearly30pointsbehind.

Atthatpoint,oneofKevin’steammatescalledtime-out.Ashecametotheside,Randycouldn’timaginewhythetime-outhadbeencalled.“Coach,”saidtheboy.“ThisisourlastgameandIknowthatKevinhasplayedineverygame,buthe’snevermadeabasket.IthinkweshouldletKevinmakeabasket.”Withthegamecompletelyoutofreach,theideaseemedreasonable,sotheplanwasmade.Whentheyhadtheballagain,theypassed