陜西省漢中市西鄉(xiāng)二中2025屆高考仿真卷英語試題含解析

陜西省漢中市西鄉(xiāng)二中2025屆高考仿真卷英語試題注意事項(xiàng)1．考生要認(rèn)真填寫考場號和座位序號。2．試題所有答案必須填涂或書寫在答題卡上，在試卷上作答無效。第一部分必須用2B鉛筆作答；第二部分必須用黑色字跡的簽字筆作答。3．考試結(jié)束后，考生須將試卷和答題卡放在桌面上，待監(jiān)考員收回。第一部分（共20小題，每小題1.5分，滿分30分）1．Didyouvisitthefamousculturalrelicslastmonth?No,we____it,butwespenttoomuchtimeshopping．A．couldhavevisited B．musthavevisitedC．can'thavevisited D．shouldn'thavevisited2．-Oh,wehavefinishedourtaskandcanhaveagoodrest．-________．Ourmanagertookanotherorderyesterday．A．Yes,itwill B．Idon'ttakemuchofitC．It'spossible D．It'shardtosay3．Ifoundmycomputerfunctioningmuchbetter,________anewoperatingsystem.A．toinstall B．installingC．havinginstalled D．installed4．—WhatdoyouthinkofBetty?—Lovely，thoughshe______benaughtysometimes．A．should B．mustC．can D．need5．____________youarefamiliarwiththeauthor’sideas,tryreadingallthesectionsasquicklyasyoupossiblecan.A．NowthatB．EversinceC．SothatD．Incase6．Thefirstdecadeinthe21stcentury_______therapidriseofChinaasaworldeconomicpower.A．witness B．haswitnessed C．willwitness D．havewitnessed7．Iamsothrilledtohavemyunderwaterphotos______intheNationalGeographicandonthecover!A．tobefeatured B．featured C．beingfeatured D．tofeature8．I’mverygratefultomyhighschoolteachers,without______helpIwouldn’tbesoexcellent.A．whom B．their C．which D．whose9．Meyerandhisteamwerethefirst______howthediseasespreadsfromanimalstohumans.A．showing B．show C．toshow D．shown10．—Ihavegotaheadache.—Nowonder.You___infrontofthatcomputertoolong.A．work B．a(chǎn)reworkingC．havebeenworking D．worked11．ThematchesoftheFIFAWomen’sWorldCupwillbeplayedin2019allaroundFrance,whosemen’steam_____the2018WorldCup.A．wins B．wonC．haswon D．hadwon12．MayIspeaktoMr.Smith？Iamafraidnot.Heisatameetingnow.It'snot_____________A．reliable B．convenientC．beneficial D．a(chǎn)vailable13．—Nancy,whatclassesareyoutakingthisterm?—_____IwanttotaketwoEnglishcourses,ormaybeSpanish.A．What’sup?B．It’snoneofyourbusiness.C．I’venoidea. D．I’mnotsureyet.14．—Excuseme,doyoumindifIopenthewindow?—Well,ifyou__________.Icanputonmoreclothes.A．can B．mayC．must D．shall15．studentsEnglishwell,theteachertriestospeakEnglishinclassveryoften.A．TeachingB．TaughtC．ToteachD．Teach16．______youaresupposedtodo______youdon'tlikeathingis______it.Don'tcomplain.A．That;what;change B．When;that;tochangeC．What;when;change D．What;that;changing17．China'sBeidouNavigationSatelliteSystemhasstartedprovidingglobalservices,________tobecomecompletearound2020.A．beingscheduled B．scheduled C．toschedule D．scheduling18．Ifhe________histeacher’ssuggestion,hewouldhavewontheEnglishSpeechContest.A．hadfollowed B．shouldfollowC．wastofollow D．followed19．WhenIgottohishouse,Ifoundthatthewalls_____.A．a(chǎn)rebeingpaintedB．a(chǎn)repaintingC．werebeingpaintedD．werepainting20．Passionispassionanditdoesn'tmatter________it'sdirected．Exactly，itcanbecoinsorsportsorpolitics．A．why B．howC．whether D．where第二部分閱讀理解（滿分40分）閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項(xiàng)中，選出最佳選項(xiàng)。21．（6分）Easytomakeandcheaptobuy,instantnoodleshavelongbeenChina’s,ultimateconveniencefood.Sinceitwasasnackforstudents,amealonthetrain,orjustthego-tochoiceforhungryworkers,morethan46.2billionpacketsweresoldinChinain2013.Butitseemsthisindustryhasgoneofftheboil.By2016thosesaleshaddeclinedto38.5billion,accordingtotheWorldInstantNoodleAssociation,adropofalmost17%.“ThisphenomenonshowsanunnoticeablewhilecontinuouschangeinChina’sconsumption(消費(fèi))patterns,”saidZhaoPingoftheAcademyofChinaCouncilforthePromotionofInternationalTrade.HetoldtheChinaDaily,“Consumersaremoreinterestedinlifequalitythanjustfillingtheirbelliesthesedays.”About730millionpeopleinChinanowhaveaccesstotheInternetaccordingtogovernmentfigures.Andabout1%ofthoseareusingsmartphonestoconnect.Andappsthatofferfooddeliverytoyourhome,officeorwhereveryouhappentobearearealfast-developingindustry.Theirmenusareundoubtedlymoreexpensivethanapotofinstantnoodles.Butthesemealscanstillbeinexpensive,andarguablymoretasty,dependingonyourfavor.Butputintheglobalbackground,Chinaisstilleasilythebiggestmarketforinstantnoodles.Infact,China’sconsumptionwasroughlyequaltoIndonesia,Japan,Vietnam,India,theUS,SouthKoreaandthePhilippinescombined.AndthatmeansglobalnoodlemanufacturersareunlikelytoturnawayfromtheChinesemarket.Japan’sinstantnoodlebusinessNissinFoods,forexample,isplanningtolandonthestockmarket,inHongKong,bywhichoperationithopestoraiseabout145milliondollars.ItisrareforaJapanesefirmtolistinHongKong,butNissinistalkingupitsprospectsinChina,whereitisalreadythefifthbiggestbrand.“Someconsumersstoppedconsuminginstantnoodles,butmostconsumerswanttoincreasethequality(offoodtheyconsume),”chiefexecutiveKiyotakaAndotoldCNBClastweek.“Wecansupplyhigh-qualityproductssowehavemorepossibilitytodevelopourbusiness.”1、Thephrase“goofftheboil”inParagraph2iscloseinmeaningto________.A．stopboilingB．turndownC．developrapidlyD．getoutofcontrol2、Accordingtothetext,itisbecauseof________thatpeoplehavemorefoodchoices.A．developmentoffoodmanufacturingindustryB．fallofpriceinfoodsbeyondinstantnoodlesC．technologicaldevelopmentoncommunicationD．people’sdoubtoninstantnoodles’foodsafety3、WhichofthefollowingdescriptionsisTRUEaccordingtothetext?A．Chinaconsumesmoreinstantnoodlethananyothercountrydoes.B．Chinaisbeginningtoloseitsfirstplaceininstantnoodlebusiness.C．NissinisthefifthbiggestbrandofJapan’sinstantnoodlebusiness.D．NissinisplanningtobuildaninstantnoodlefactoryinHongKong.4、Wecaninferfromthetextthat________.A．China’sinstantnoodleconsumptionwillcontinuetodropB．ChinesepeoplewillfavorcheaperinstantnoodlestosavemoneyC．instantnoodleswillhaveapessimisticprospectinthefutureD．instantnoodlemanufacturerswillfocusmoreonitsfoodquality22．（8分）RecentlyIpaidavisittoHarvardUniversity,wheretherearetopclassscientistsandprofessorsandthebestacademicsystemintheworld.IwasprettyshockedwhenIfirststeppedontothecampus.Well,it'snotevenreallyacampus.It'smorelikeadistrictinasmalltown.Harvard'smainbuildingsarefromthe18thcentury.Theylookveryoldandsimple.Youmightevensaythey'realittleshabby.Theydon'tfitthemodernideaofuniversityatall.Thebuildingsaresurroundedbygrassandtrees,soIfeltasifIhadwalkedintoamedievalcastle.ButwhenIlookedacrossthestreet,busyshopsandin-fashionstudentsmademefeellikeIwasinthe21stcenturyagain.Itcreatesastrongcontrastandbringsaspecialatmospheretotheschool.OurtourguideGarytookusaroundandtoldus:"Youseethisgrassfieldinthecenteroftheschool?Hereiswheretheyhosttheirgraduationceremony.Theyjustsetuptentsandbenchesandhaveaverysimpleceremony.Unbelievable!Whowouldthinkthemosttalentedstudentsjustgraduateonthelawn?Isawsomestudentsputablanketonthegrassandliedowntoreadabook.WhenIlistenedtothesoftsoundofpagesturning,alongwithchirpingofthebirds,Ifeltverycalm.Therewasnocompetitivefeelingatall.Harvardhastheworld'sfirstcomputerinitssciencecenterandtherearehundredsofhigh-endcomputerstoo.Itsreligionandtheliteraturedepartmentsarealsoamongthebest.Itistheperfectmixoftraditionandnewtechnology.ItmakesHarvardaveryattractiveplacetostudyin.IhopeonedayI'llattendmydreamschool—Harvard.1、Thearticleismainlyabout_____________.A．theauthor'scampuslifeinHarvard B．theauthor'simpressionofHarvardC．Harvard'soldbuildings D．theacademicsystematHarvard2、Theauthorwasmostimpressedby_____________,accordingtothearticle.A．Harvard'smixoftraditionandnewtechnologyB．theclassesheldonbeautifullawnsatHarvardC．HarvardstudentsnottakingtheirgraduationceremonyseriouslyD．thefeelingofnotlivinginmodernsocietyonthecampus3、Whatcanweconcludefromthearticle?A．Harvardcampusisactuallyadistrictofabigcity.B．TherearenocompetitionsatHarvardUniversity.C．GraduationceremoniesarenotcomplexatHarvard.D．AllHarvardbuildingsdatebacktothe18thcentury.4、Accordtothearticle,inwhichfieldsisHarvardtopintheworld?A．Literature,arts,andlaw. B．Religion,lawandarts.C．Literature,artsandcomputerscience. D．Religion,computerscienceandliterature.23．（8分）NEWDELHI—InIndia’sspacecenteronthebarrierislandofSriharikota,thewhite-jacketedscientistsheldtheirbreaths.Thecountry’strustyred-and-whitesatellitelaunchvehiclehadliftedoffmomentsbeforeandblastedintoorbit.ThePolarSatelliteLaunchVehicleC-37wasabouttoperformadelicatemaneuver(操縱，任務(wù))—carefullysending104satellitesintotheheavens,thehighestnumbereverattemptedinonemission.OneIndianspaceanalystontelevisionlikenedthecomplicatedmaneuvertodroppingchildrenatdifferentbusstops.About10a.m.Wednesday,theannouncementcame:Allthesatelliteshadbeensuccessfullylaunched.Thescientistsbreathedacollectivesighofrelief,andbackslappingandapplausefollowed.“Thisisagreatmomentforeachandeveryoneofus.Todaywehavemadehistory,”projectmanagerB．Jayakumarsaidafterward.Thetotalnumberofsatellitesfaroutstripped(超過)thepreviousrecord—37atthesametimesentintospacebyRussiain2014.Wednesday’slaunchwasanothersuccessfortheIndianSpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO),whichisrapidlygainingareputationgloballyforitseffectiveyetlow-costmissions.Indiahadalreadysentupdozensofsatellites,including20inonelaunchlastyear.In2014,IndiabecamethefirstAsiannationtosendaprobe(探測器)intoorbitaroundMars,a$74millioneffortthat,asPrimeMinisterNarendraModinotedatthetime,costlessthanwhatittooktomaketheHollywoodspacemovie“Gravity”.ThefiercenationalpridethatresultedafterthatsuccesssenttheMarsproberocketingontothefaceofthecountry’snew2,000rupee($30)currencynote(鈔票)inNovember.“NowIndiaisshowingitscompetitivenessinthe$300billionglobalspacemarket,”saidRajeswariPillaiRajagopalan,headoftheNuclearandSpacePolicyInitiativeattheObserverRearchFoundationinNewDelhi.1、Whatdoestheunderlinedword“l(fā)ikened”meaninthe3rdparagraph?A．contributedB．comparedC．preferredD．tied2、WhatdoesIndia’sPrimeMinisterModiimplyaccordingtothe8thparagraph?A．The104-satellitemaneuvercostlessmoneythanthefilm“Gravity”did.B．Shootingafilmisalwaysmoreexpensivethanlaunchingarocket.C．TheMarsproberocketingischaracteristicofbeinglowincost.D．Allrealexplorationsarecheaperthanvirtualones.3、ThewayIndiaadoptedtoshowthesignificanceoftheMarsproberocketingisequaltothewayChinesegovernmentuse________inChina.A．ChairmanMaoZedong’sportraitB．a(chǎn)pictureoftheLong-marchrocketC．a(chǎn)pictureoftheThree-gorges(峽谷)projectD．PresidentXiJinping’sportrait4、Itcanbeinferredthatafterthesuccessinthe104-satellitelaunch,Indiawill________.A．becomeNo.1intheglobalspacemarketB．takeupalargermarketshareinthefutureC．showitsabilityamonglocalcompetitorsD．haveanorderof$300billion24．（8分）DundonaldCareClubhasajam-packed,excitingandfun-filledprogramofactivitiesandoutingsforyourchildtoparticipatein.InformationOpen:MondaytoFriday8:00am－6:00pm,fromMonday14toMonday21October(inclusive)Costs:￡18perday(8:00am―6:00pm)￡10perhalfday(8:00am—1:00pmor1:00pm~~6:00pm)￡80fulllweekPleasenotethatbookingsMUSTbemade2weeksinadvanceandpaidinFULL.DundonaldCareClub(availableatDundonaldonly)DateTypeofbookingActivityamActivitypmMonday14OctoberFulldayEglingtonPark,IrvineTuesday15OctoberFulldayWestFMStudioTourWednesday16OctoberHalfdayorFulldayAthleticsandBadmintonDundonaldCastleThursday17OctoberFulldayRoukenGlenCountryParkFriday18OctoberHalfdayorFulldayHalloweenCraftsColdbaking—somesweettreatsMonday21OctoberFulldaySpookystorytelling,HalloweendecorationsthenHalloweenpartyincludingcookingforapplesPleasechecktheprogramonwhetherafullorhalfdaybookingisavailable.Weathernotpermitting,asuitablealternativeactivitymaybeprovided.1、IfyougototheDundonaldCareClubonMondayandFriday,youatleastpay________.A．￡36 B．￡28 C．￡98 D．￡902、Whatwillvisitorsdoat8:00am—1:00pm,16October?A．MakeHalloweencrafts. B．Dosomesportsactivities.C．Preparesomesweettreats. D．HaveaWestFMStudioTour.3、Whatinformationcanwelearnfromthepassage?A．Therearenoactivitiesatweekends.B．Outingsarethecenteroftheprogram.C．Theactivitywillbecancelledinbadweather.D．Thebookingisavailablefrom14to21October.25．（10分）InAmerica,parentstendtoencouragetheirchildrentodeveloptheirpotential(潛能)tothefullestextent.Fathersandmothersfrequentlyteachtheirchildrenbothambitionandtheconfidencenecessarytoworktowardtheirgoals.Americanparentsarealwaysactiveinconcentratingonwhattheirkidscando,notwhattheycan’t.Asaresult,millionsofAmericanboysandgirlsgrowuphopingtobecomeactorsandathletes,diplomatsanddoctors.Manyofthemevenwanttobecomepresident.Americanparentsoftenencouragetheirchildrentobecomeinvolvedinextraactivitiesofalltypesatschool,suchasstudentgovernment,sportsandmusic.Theybelievethatonlythroughtakingpartintheseactivitiescantheirchildrenbecomematureyoungadults.Asweallknow,schoolworkisimportant.Butparentsshouldrealizethatthesocialskillstheirchildrenlearnfromnaturalconversationswitheachotherareasimportantasschoolworkandtheskillstheywillneedinthefuturework.What’smoreimportantintheirworkisthattheirchildrenshouldhaveasoundknowledgeofphysicsortheabilitytocommunicateeffectively.Asarule,Chineseparentsdon’teducatetheirchildrenaboutthesamekindofambitionandconfidenceasAmericansdo,nordotheyencouragethesamelevelofparticipationinextraactivities.Childrenaretypicallyadvisedtostudyhardandpassexams.Theyhavetospendalotoftimeindoingmuchschoolworkeveryday.Itisagreatwasteoftimetodoso.NowmoreandmoreChineseparentshaverecognizedthattheyshouldpayattentiontodevelopingthepotentialoftheirchildren.IhopethatleadersinChineseeducationalcirclesshouldtakesomemeasurestodevelopthepotentialoftheirchildren.Iamveryconfidentaboutit.1、Fromthepassage,weknowtheAmericanparentspaymuchmoreattentionto.A．thesocialskillsthanChineseparentsB．theirchildren’sstudyinghardandwellC．whattheirchildrenwantbuttheycan’tD．extraactivitiesthanschoolwork2、Accordingtothepassage,Chineseparents.A．knowmorethanAmericanparentstoeducatetheirchildrenB．owningambitionandconfidenceisnecessaryandimportantC．paymuchmoreattentiontotheirchildren’sfinefutureD．don’tencouragetheirchildrentoparticipateinextraactivities3、Fromthepassage,wecaninfer.A．AmericanchildrenarebraveandadventurousB．AmericanchildrenaremoreactiveintheirstudiesC．ChinesechildrenhavetheabilitytocommunicateeffectivelyD．somethingshouldbedonetodevelopthepotentialofthechildreninChina4、What’sthewriter’sattitudetowardsChineseeducationreform?A．Neutral. B．Indifferent.C．Positive. D．Negative.第三部分語言知識運(yùn)用（共兩節(jié)）第一節(jié)（每小題1.5分，滿分30分）閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的A、B、C和D四個選項(xiàng)中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)．26．（30分）Peerpressureleadsmanyhighschoolstudentstofollowthecrowdandnotdowhattheybelieveisright.Iwasoneofthem.IttookmetwoyearsofhighschooltorealizethatIwas1tostandonmyownfeetand2thechallengeofwrestling.AndIhavegrownfromthisexperience.Wrestlinghasalonghistoryinmy3.Mygrandfatherandmytwouncleswrestledandwere4.Icanremembermygrandpatellingmehowhe5hischampionshipmatchandhowhefeltwhenhisnamewasannouncedasNewYorkStateChampion.Icouldneverhaveimaginedthat6tillthenightIwonmyfirstmatch.Ineverrealizedthe7demandthatwrestlingtookonone’sbody.Thelonghoursoflearningnewmoves,liftingweights,andthementalpreparationsneededtoprepareforthissportare8.Ihadtolearnto9mytimebetweenschool,homeandfriends.Wrestlingismoreofanindividualsport,butitalso10thehelpandsupportofateamtobesuccessful.Thecoachestaughtusto11ourselvesandalsotheopponentswefaceonthemat.AtChristmas,weasateambroughttoystoUpstateHospitalcancerunitforthe12childrenwhocouldnotbehomeforthe13withtheirfamilies.HereIwasableto14thechildrenwhoneverknewiftheywereabletoleavethehospitalandlivea(n)15life.ThismademerealizethatIneedtoliveeachdaytothefullestbecausenoonecantellwhatlifehasin16forus.WrestlinghastaughtmeIamcapableofbeingmyown17.Icannotgobackintimetochangethepast.18,theconfidenceIhavegainedallowsmethepossibilityoffurtheringmy19careerincollege.Fromthissport,Inowknowthattobe20youmustnotbeafraidtotrysomethingnew.1、A．a(chǎn)fraidB．pleasedC．a(chǎn)bleD．likely2、A．pickingoutB．pickingupC．takinginD．takingon3、A．schoolB．familyC．mindD．study4、A．speakersB．trainersC．believersD．champions5、A．wonB．heldC．a(chǎn)ttendedD．designed6、A．a(chǎn)ctionB．reactionC．feelingD．change7、A．littleB．physicalC．materialD．economic8、A．enoughB．interestingC．satisfactoryD．a(chǎn)wesome9、A．spendB．spareC．manageD．value10、A．lacksB．requiresC．consultsD．deserves11、A．prepareB．expressC．contentD．respect12、A．cleverB．confidentC．unfortunateD．innocent13、A．giftsB．ceremoniesC．holidaysD．treatments14、A．visitB．cureC．thankD．gather15、A．normalB．positiveC．a(chǎn)ctiveD．brilliant16、A．needB．caseC．a(chǎn)dvanceD．store17、A．teacherB．individualC．friendD．status18、A．HoweverB．ThusC．BesidesD．Meanwhile19、A．servingB．wrestlingC．guidingD．running20、A．successfulB．a(chǎn)ttractiveC．braveD．determined第二節(jié)（每小題1.5分，滿分15分）閱讀下面材料，在空白處填入1個適當(dāng)?shù)膯卧~或括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。27．（15分）Whatweeateverydaydoesaffectourhealth.Asaresult,weshouldtryourbesttochangeourbadeatinghabitsandhave1．balanceddiet.Asweallknow,friedfood2．(taste)delicious,buteatingtoomuchwillprobablyleadtosomeillnesses.Worsestill,alotofmoney3．(waste)onsomejunkfood,whichisnothealthyatall.Asamatteroffact,oureatinghabitsarechangingfortheworse.Weused4．(eat)moregrainsandvegetables,butlessmeat,5．isagoodeatinghabit.However,thingsare6．(real)differentnow.Withourlifebecomingbetterandbetter,wearenoweatingalotoffoodthatishighinbothsugarandfat.Someyoungpeopleevenmake7．a(chǎn)ruletoeatouteverymonthwithout8．(consider)thebalanceofourdiet.Thefoodweeathasagreateffect9．ourhealth,soinordertohaveahealthylife,wemustmakeright10．(choose)andkeepinmindthatwearewhatweeat.第四部分寫作（共兩節(jié)）第一節(jié)短文改錯（滿分10分）28．（10分）假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改作文，請你修改你同桌寫的以下作文。文中共有10處語言錯誤，每句中最多有兩處。錯誤僅涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號(^)，并在其下面寫出該加的詞。刪除：把多余的詞用(＼)劃掉。修改：在錯的詞下畫一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。注意：1.每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；2.只允許修改10處，多者(從第11處起)不計分。ThesunwasjustslowlycomeupoverthemountainstodayasItookmydogsforitsmorningwalk.IsmiledasIwatchedthecloudsgraduallyturntowhiteandgold.TheairwascoolandIworeabigsmileinmyface.Eventhoughthereweren’tleafonthetrees,butIcouldstillhearbirdssingingsongsofspring.Evenmydogsseemedtonoticethedifferentintheair.Theywereplayinginsteadofjustdotheirmorningbusinessinthegrass.Theparticulargoldensunseemedtomakeitabeautifulday.AsIheadedback,Irealizesomething.Thebeautyofdaydidn’tcomefromthewarmthofthesun.Itcamefromthewarmthwithinmyownheartandsoul.第二節(jié)書面表達(dá)（滿分25分）29．（25分）假定你是李華，再過100天你就高中畢業(yè)了。寫一封信給你的美國外教Joyce，感謝她這一年來對你學(xué)業(yè)上的幫助，并談?wù)勀愕睦硐氪髮W(xué)。內(nèi)容要點(diǎn)1.表達(dá)感激之情；2.你的理想大學(xué)及理由；3.期待大學(xué)生活。注意1.詞數(shù)100左右（開頭和結(jié)尾已給出，不計入總詞數(shù)）；2.可以適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié)，以使行文連貫。3.參考詞匯：idealcollege理想大學(xué)DearJoyce,Howiseverythinggoing?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Lookingforwardtoyourreply.Yours,LiHua

參考答案第一部分（共20小題，每小題1.5分，滿分30分）1、A2、D3、C4、C5、A6、B7、B8、D9、C10、C11、B12、B13、D14、C15、C16、C17、B18、A19、C20、D第二部分閱讀理解（滿分40分）閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C、D四個選項(xiàng)中，選出最佳選項(xiàng)。21、1、B2、C3、A4、D22、1、B2、A3、C4、D23、Maybenooneforgetstheirfirstbikeandthereisnoexceptiontoawomanlikeme.MinewasaSchwinncoasterbike,second-hand,paintedredandyellowbyitspreviousowner.IrememberridingtoofastdownthebighillonSpringfieldAvenue.Iknewatoncethattheworldwasminetoexplore.Acoupleofyearslater,whenIwas11,mygrandmothervisitedfromEngland,bringingmeabike.Itwasadarkgreenone,withthreegears(齒輪)andhandbrakes.AstheownerofthefirstEnglishbikemyfriendshadeverseen,Iwasalmostfamous.Unlikemycoasterbike,itwaslight—ridingitfeltlikeflying.Irodepastbigstonehouseswiththeirhugeyardsandtrees.Irodepastbrickrowhouses.Irodealoneandwithgroupsoffriends.Thatbelovedbikewentwithmetocollege,carryingmetothelibraryandtoclasses.Beyondtransport,itwasoftenaprop(道具):PushingitalongasIwalkedthecollegepathsmademefeellessself-conscious.Somehow,conversationflowedmoreeasilyoneithersideofabike.Aftercollege,Ilivedabroadforawhile.ReturningfromLondon,Idiscoveredtomyhorrorthatmyparentshadsoldmybike.Foryearsafterthat,Ididn'thaveabikethatwasreallymine.TeachinginaNewEnglandprepschool(學(xué)校),Isimplyrodewhateverbikesitsgraduateshadleftbehind.Irodearoundthelittletownonbikeswithgearsandbrakesthatoftenfailed.IdidnottakeanyofthosebikeswithmewhenImovedsouthtothecoastaltownwhereInowlive.ButafterawhileImissedriding.Finally,onafallday,Iboughtabike.Calledacomfortbike,ithaswidertiresthanmyoldbikeandsevengears.Butitisgreen—abrightergreenbike.Still,Iwasabitworried;Iwasalotolder.Ibroughtthebikehomeandputonmyhelmet—I'dneverwornahelmetbefore.ThenIgotonthebike.Afteradifficultstart,IfeltexactlyasIwasonthat