山西省部分學(xué)校2024-2025學(xué)年高二下學(xué)期期中考試 英語含解析

高二英語試題第一部分聽力（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個(gè)小題；每小題1.5分，共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。例:Howmuchistheshirt?A.￡19.15.B.￡9.18.C.￡9.15.答案是C。1.Howoldistheman?A.23.B.48.C.50.2.Howdidthemangotowork?A.Bybike.B.Bycar.C.Bybus.3.Whereisthewomanplanningtogo?A.Tothebeach.B.Tothepark.C.Tothemountains.4.Whatwillthemandonext?A.Joinadanceclub.B.TurntoSarahforhelp.C.Signupforadanceclass.5.Wherearethespeakers?A.Atastore.B.Athome.C.Atadanceschool.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.Whatisthepossiblerelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A.Colleagues.B.Schoolmates.C.Neighbors.7.Whochoosesphysics?A.Theman.B.Thewoman'sbrother.C.Theman'sbrother.聽第7段材料，回答第8、9題。8.Whatarethespeakerstalkingabout?A.Anewgame.B.Somenewroles.C.Peter'shobby.9.HowdoesthewomanfeelaboutPeter'swords?A.Doubtful.B.Favorable.C.Indifferent.聽第8段材料，回答第10至12題。10.Whatdidthemandoyesterday?A.Hadaninterview.B.Organizedaninterview.C.Appliedforaninterview.11.Whydoesthewomanadvisethemantowritealetter?A.Tobegforthejob.B.Toimprovehisability.C.Toexpressthankstotheinterviewers.12.Whatkindofpersonisthewoman?A.Sheisserious.B.Sheisthoughtful.C.Sheishardworking.聽第9段材料，回答第13至16題。13.Whatisthemangoingtodoonholiday?A.Dosometraveling.B.Visitfriends.C.Stayathome.14.Whichcanbestdescribethewoman'sschedule?A.Tight.B.Boring.C.Perfect.15.Wherewillthewomanmeetheruncle?A.InVancouver.B.InKingston.C.InOttawa.16.WhoisprobablyDaniel?A.Theman'sson.B.Thewoman'sson.C.Theman'swife.聽第10段材料，回答第17至20題。17.Whatwasthespeakerbefore2012?A.Aprofessionalathlete.B.Achessplayer.C.Acompetitiverunner.18.Whathappenedtothespeakerattheageof18?A.Hewonthefifthplace.B.Hebrokeaworldrecord.C.Hewenttothe2012Olympics.19.Whydidthespeakerfeeldown?A.HefailedagainattheOlympics.B.Helostconcentrationduringthegame.C.Hedidn'tknowwhattodoafteraninjury.20.Whatcanwelearnfromthespeaker?A.Nevertoolatetolearn.B.Agoodbeginningishalfdone.C.Wherethereisawillthereisaway.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)。ADiscoveries2025CurtisBrownCreativeandtheCurtisBrownLiteraryAgencyareworkingtogetherwiththeWomen’sPrizeTrustandAudibletorunthefifthDiscoveriesWritingDevelopmentProgrammeandprizeforunpublishedwomenwritersintheUKorIreland.Theprizeacceptsnovelsinanytypeofadultfiction.Writerscanenterbysubmitting(提交)thefirst10,000wordsandasummary.Thejudgingteam,chairedbyKateMosse,willincludeexpertjudges.Theprizeisopentowomenaged18+whoareunagentedandwritinginEnglish.Youdon’tneedafinishednoveltoenter,justanovelthathasbeenstarted.Theprizeisfreetoenterandseeksworkwithpotential,notnecessarilypolisheddrafts.Writerswhohavepreviouslyenteredandcontinuedworkingontheirstoriesareencouragedtoapply.Submissionsareopenfrom19September2024to13January2025.Thelonglistandshortlistwillbeannouncedinspring2025,withthewinnerrevealedon29May2025.TheFirstPrizewinnerwillreceiverepresentationbyCurtisBrownLiteraryAgencyand￡5,000.Onepromisingwriter,the“DiscoveriesScholar”,willalsowinascholarshipfortheWritingYourNovelcoursewithCurtisBrownCreative(worth￡1,800).AllsixshortlistedauthorswillmeetwithaCurtisBrownagent,getafreeplaceonasix-weekonlinewritingcourse,andparticipateinaworkshopwithAudibleonwritingandrecordingforsound.All16longlistedauthorswillreceiveatwo-weekDiscoveriesWritingDevelopmentcourse,designedbyCurtisBrownCreativeandtaughtbyCharlotteMendelson,inJuneandJuly2025.ThecoursewillincludeZoomlessons,writingexercises,groupdiscussions,andaone-to-onetutorialwithCharlotte,endingwithasessionwithCurtisBrownliteraryagents.1.WhatisrequiredforwriterstoentertheDiscoveriesPrize?A.Ajuststartednovel. B.Afinishednovel.C.Adetailedsummary. D.Acompleteddraft.2.WhenwillthewinneroftheDiscoveriesPrizebeannounced?A.Spring2025. B.29thMay2025.C.13thJanuary2025. D.19thSeptember2025.3.Whichwillthelonglistedauthorsreceive?A.Atwo-weekcourseheldinMay. B.Aone-to-onetutorialwithCharlotte.C.Asix-weekonlinewritingcourse. D.AsessionwiththeFirstPrizewinner.【答案】1.A2.B3.BBAttheageoffifteen,ErinWillmanlosthersight,butinsteadoflettingthischallengecontrolherlife,shewasdeterminedtoshowwhatshecoulddo.Eventhoughmanycompaniesturnedherdownbecauseofherblindness,Erindidn’tgiveup.Insteadofwaitingforsomeonetogiveherachance,shedecidedtomakeherownpath.Withinayear,shestartedWhiteCaneCoffeeandbecameitsCEO,provingthatherdisabilitywouldn’tstopherfromreachingherdreams.WhiteCaneCoffeestartedasanideaonadifficultdayandhasnowgrownintoasuccessfulbusiness,withErin’scoffeenowavailableinmanycities.Beyondsellinghigh-qualitycoffee,thecompanyhelpsblindanddisabledindividualsbyofferingthemjobs,teachingvaluableskills,andhelpsthemfeelmoreconfident.Oneofthecompany’sspecialfeaturesisitsproductlabels,whichincludeBraille(盲文)oneverypackage.ThismakesWhiteCaneCoffeeoneofthefirstcompaniestodothis,showingErin’sbeliefthatblindpeopleshouldbeabletoshopontheirown.Thecompanyoffersjobsthatpayfairwages,givingemployeesthefreedomandopportunitiestheyoftendon’tgetelsewhere.Erin’steambelievestheirmissionismorethanjustpayingsalaries—it’saboutgivinghopeandshowingthateveryworkerisvaluable.TheprofitsfromWhiteCaneCoffeedomorethansupporttheemployees;theyalsohelpfundguidedogtraining,communityprogramsforchildren,andothercharities.Erin’sgoalsgofarbeyondherownsuccess;shewantstocreatepositivechangeworldwide.Shevaluessocialgoodmorethanmaterialrichesandaimstouseherpositiontoimprovethelivesofotherslikeher.Erinandherteamaregratefulforthestrongsupportfromtheircommunityanddisabilitysupporters.Aboveall,theyareproudoftheirachievementsinprovidingresourcesandhelpingdisabledindividualsbecomemoreindependent.Theyaredeterminedtocontinuecreatingnewjobs,helpingmorepeoplegainindependence.Toachievethis,theyareworkingonexcitingprojectstostrengthentheirbaseandtaketheircompanytothenextlevel.4.WhatdidErindowhenfacedwithdifficulties?A.Shereliedonotherstohelpher.B.Sheavoidedsituationstoberejected.C.Shefeltdefeatedbythetroubleinherlife.D.Sheviewedchallengesasopportunitiestoproveherself.5.WhatmakesWhiteCaneCoffee’sproductlabelingunique?A.Eachlabelisprintedwithacolorfuldesign.B.Allpackagesareeco-friendlyandrecyclable.C.EverypackagehasaQRcodeforavirtualtour.D.Itincludesaspecialfeaturetoassistblindcustomers.6.WhatisErin’sultimategoalforWhiteCaneCoffee?A.Tosellthecompanytoalargercorporation.B.Tobecomethelargestcoffeecompanyintheworld.C.Tocreateglobalimpactandsupportdisabledpeople.D.Tofocusonexpandingthebusinessinternationally.7.WhichofthefollowingcanbestdescribeErin?A.Determinedandcaring. B.Oddandstubborn.C.Honestandadaptable. D.Weakanddependent.【答案】4.D5.D6.C7.ACInsects,oftenoverlookedorseenaspests(害蟲),arevitaltothehealthandbalanceofourecosystems.Withoveronemillionknownspecies,insectsperformarangeoffunctionsthatarecrucialforthesurvivalofmanyplantsandanimals.TheyarefoundinalmosteveryenvironmentonEarth,fromforestsandgardenstourbanareas.Oneofthemostimportantrolesthatinsectsplayisaspollinators(傳粉者).Beesbutterflies,andotherinsectstransferflowerdustbetweenflowers,helpingplantsreproduce.Thisprocessisessentialfortheproductionoffruits,vegetables,andothercropsthathumansdependon.It'sestimatedthat75%oftheworld'scropsrelyonpollinators,makinginsectsvitalforglobalfoodproduction.Inadditiontopollinatorsinsectsarealsocrucialasdecomposers.Theybreakdowndeadplantsandanimals,returningimportantnutrients(養(yǎng)分)tothesoil.Manurebeetles,forinstance,buryanimalwaste,whichhelpsreducegreenhousegasemissions(排放)andimprovesoilhealth.Withoutdecomposers,nutrientswouldnotberecycled,andplantlifewouldstruggletogrow.Insectsalsocontributetopestcontrol.Manyinsects,suchasladybirdsandgroundinsects,huntotherinsectsthatdamageplants.Bykeepinginsectpopulationsincheck,theyreducetheneedforchemicalinsecticides,whichcanharmtheenvironmentandhumanhealth.Inthisway,insectssupportsustainableagriculturebynaturallycontrollingharmfulinsects.Furthermore,insectsareanimportantfoodsourceformanyanimals,includingbirdsandbats.Theyareanessentialpartofthefoodweb,helpingtosustainbiodiversity.Insectsalsoserveasindicatorsofenvironmentalhealth;changesintheirpopulationscansignalbroaderenvironmentalissues,suchasclimatechangeorhabitatloss.Protectinginsectpopulationsisessentialtomaintainingthehealthandstabilityofecosystems.Insectscontributetopollination,breakdown,insectcontrol,andfoodwebs,makingthemcrucialtothenaturalworldandhumanlife.Bypreservinginsects,wecanhelpensurethatecosystemsremainbalancedandsustainableforgenerationstocome.8.Whatisthekeyroleofinsectsdiscussedinparagraph2?A.Helpingplantsreproduce. B.Beingusedaspets.C.Cleaningtheenvironment. D.Providingentertainment.9.Howdoinsectshelpcontrolpestsinagriculture?A.Bymakingcropsgrowfaster. B.Byspeedingupplantgrowth.C.Byremovingpestsfromcrops. D.Byfeedingonharmfulinsects.10.Whatistheauthor'sattitudetowardsinsects?A.Tolerant. B.Supportive. C.Responsible. D.Critical.11.Whichtitlebestsuitsthepassage?A.HowInsectsDestroyPlantLife. B.TheDeclineofInsectPopulations.C.TheRoleofInsectsinOurEcosystem. D.TheImpactofInsectsonHumanHealth.【答案】8.A9.D10.B11.CDInthefieldofhighereducation,wherefairnessandobjectivityareconsideredessential,it’seasytoassumethatfactorssuchastheorderofstudents’surnameshavenobearingontheiracademicperformance.However,recentstudiessuggestthatthisassumptionmaynotbeentirelycorrect.ResearchfromtheUniversityofMichigan,whichexaminedover30milliongradingrecords,uncoveredanunexpectedpattern:studentswithsurnamesthatappearearlierinthealphabetgenerallyreceivehighergradesthanthosewithsurnamesplacedlater.ThiseffectisparticularlynoticeableinlargecoursesorclasseswhereassignmentsaresubmittedelectronicallythroughplatformslikeCanvas,whichautomaticallylistsstudentsinalphabeticalorder.Consequently,studentswhosesurnamesfalltowardtheendofthealphabet,suchasthosebeginningwithYorZ,aremorelikelytoreceivelowergradesthanthosewhosenamescomeearlier.Thisbias(偏見)isexplainedbyaphenomenonknownas“sequentialgradingbias”.Itoccurswhenstudentsareunintentionallyadvancedordisadvantagedbasedontheorderinwhichtheirworkisassessed.Forexample,applicantsinajobinterviewwhoareinterviewedlaterinthedaymayberatedmoreseverelythanthosewhoareinterviewedfirst.Inacademicsettings,instructorsoftenbegingradingwiththefirstpapersinthelist,whichtendtobefromstudentswithsurnamesstartingwithletterslikeAorB.Thisgivesthosestudentsasmalladvantage,astheirworkmaybegradedmorefavorably.However,whenexamsaregradedintheoppositeorder,thisprejudicecanchange,andthelatersubmissionsmayreceivebetterevaluations.Toaddressthisissue,educatorsandpolicymakersareurgedtoconsideralternativegradingmethodsthatminimizetheinfluenceofalphabeticalorder.Ideasincluderandomizingtheorderinwhichpapersaregraded,usinganonymous(匿名的)submissions,orencouragingmorecomprehensiveevaluationpracticesthatreducetheimpactofinitialimpressions.Byaddressingthesebiases,educationalinstitutionscancreateafairerandwelcomingenvironmentwherestudents’academicachievementsarejudgedonlyontheirperformanceratherthantheirsurnames’positioninthealphabet.12.WhydoestheauthormentionCanvasinthestudy?A.TosuggestCanvascouldreducegradingbiases.B.ToexplainhowCanvasrandomlyassignsstudents.C.ToshowhowCanvas’salphabeticalorderaffectsgrading.D.TointerpretCanvasisthemosteffectiveingradingplatforms.13.Whatdoes“sequentialgradingbias”referto?A.Agradingsystembasedonstudents’performance.B.Theeffectoftheorderingradingstudents’work.C.Anintentionalefforttogradepapersinacertainorder.D.Thepreferenceforgradingearlysubmissionsmoreseriously.14.Howmighttheissueofalphabeticalbiasbeaddressed?A.ByremovingdigitalsubmissionplatformslikeCanvas.B.Bygradingpapersbasedonstudents'performanceinclass.C.Bygradinginrandomorderorusinganonymoussubmissions.D.Byensuringthatonlytop-performingstudentsaregradedfirst.15.Whatisthepurposeinwritingthearticle?A.Tosuggestlargercourses. B.Toexplaingradingsystems.C.TorecommendusingCanvas. D.Todiscussgradingbiasandsolutions.【答案】12.C13.B14.C15.D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)。HowtoFindLike-MindedPeopleOneofthebestwaystoimproveyoursociallifeisbyfindingpeoplewhoshareyourinterests.Theprocessoffindinglike-mindedpeoplecanactuallybealotoffun!___16___.Assessyourinterests.Beforeyougoouttofindlike-mindedpeople,youfirstneedtofigureoutwhatyourowninterestsare.___17___.Forexample,it’seasiertofindlike-mindedpeopleifyou’reintorockmusicratherthanifyou’reinterestedingeology.Startbyfocusingontheintereststhataremorecommonandwidelyshared.Thiswillhelpyougetofftoagreatstart.Gettoknowpeoplearoundyou.Beginhavingdeeper,moremeaningfulconversationswiththosearoundyou.___18___.Insteadoftalkingabouttheweather,talkaboutthingsyoubothcareabout,likeyourhobbiesorgoals.Thiswillnotonlyhelpyoufindlike-mindedpeople,butitwillalsomakeyouseemmoresociable.___19___.Therearemanygroupsforvariousinterests—whetherit’shiking,biking,reading,orart.Ifyoujoinone,you’llmeetpeoplewhosharethesamepassion.Aslongasyoushowupandparticipate,you’llfitrightin.Haveanonlinepresence.Besuretotalkaboutyourinterestsinyoursocialmediaaccounts.Thiswilldrawinpeoplewhomightalsobeinterestedinthoseinterests.Theyneverhavetheopportunitytoknowyousharethesameinterestasthem.___20___.Yes,youcantalkaboutyourinterests,butavoidtalkingaboutthingsthataretoopersonal.A.ThiscreatestheopportunityB.StartagroupandinvitepeopleC.JoingroupsrelatedtoanyofyourinterestsD.Thismakesithardertofindlike-mindedindividualsE.Youcandothiswithyourcolleaguesandco-workersF.Let’stalkabouthowyoucanfindlike-mindedpeopleG.Thisisespeciallytrueifyouhavemultipleinterests【答案】16.F17.G18.E19.C20.A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)。Myartteacher,Mrs.Lorry,askedherstudentstocreateadrawingrepresentingsomethingtheyfeltthankfulfor.Asshelookedatthesechildren,manyofwhomcamefromdifficultbackgrounds,she___21___howmuchtheyhadtotrulyfeelthankfulfor.Livinginaneighborhoodwheremany___22___justtomakeendsmeetitseemedunlikelythattheyhadmanymaterialblessings.She___23___mostoftheclasswoulddrawimagesoflargeholidaydinners,thinkingthatwas___24___theyweresupposedtopicture.WhatcaughtMrs.Lorryby___25___,however,wasBruce’sdrawing.Brucewasoftenquiet,stayingclosetohimselfastheclassmateswentoutsidefor___26___.Hisdrawingwassimpleyet___27___:justasinglehand.Theclasswasimmediately___28___toit.“Itmustbethehandofsomeonewho___29___foodforus,”onestudentsuggested.“Afarmer,”anotherstudentoffered,“becausefarmers____30____thechicken.”“Itlookslikeapoliceman’shand,”saidsomeoneelse,“becausepolicemenprotectus.”“Ithink,”Lucysaidthoughtfully,“Brucemeanttoshowallthe____31____thathelpus.”Mrs.Lorrywasdeeplymovedbythese____32____.Afterthestudentsbegantheirnexttask,shequietlyleanedoverBruce’sdeskandaskedhimwhosehanditwas.Brucewhispered,“It’syours,teacher.”Mrs.Lorrysuddenlyrecalledhowoftenshehad____33____Bruce’shand,justasshedidwiththeotherchildren.Butforittomeansomuchtohim...shefeltawaveof____34____.Perhaps,shethought,thiswasthetruemeaningofthe____35____forlife—notthematerialgiftswereceive,butthesmallactsofkindnesswesharewithothers.21.A.doubted B.wondered C.judged D.proved22.A.struggled B.learnt C.competed D.meant23.A.realized B.warned C.imagined D.denied24.A.how B.why C.which D.what25.A.horror B.depression C.design D.surprise26.A.food B.toys C.breaks D.breath27.A.complex B.powerful C.boring D.weak28.A.drawn B.limited C.blamed D.forced29.A.provides B.grabs C.exchanges D.borrows30.A.love B.assist C.raise D.protect31.A.policemen B.hearts C.hands D.farmers32.A.sayings B.responses C.lessons D.works33.A.refused B.taken C.washed D.given34.A.panic B.interest C.enthusiasm D.emotion35.A.gift B.prize C.mystery D.passion【答案】21.B22.A23.C24.D25.D26.C27.B28.A29.A30.C31.C32.B33.B34.D35.A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。Casesofunexplainedphenomenahavepuzzledpeopleformorethan2,000years.AGreekphilosopherfromthesecondcenturyB.C.wroteaboutexperiencinga“rainoffrogs”that___36___（fill）thestreets.Similar___37___（account）haveincludedsnakes,nutsandevengolfballs___38___（fall）fromthesky.Scientistsassociatetheserareevents___39___tornadoesandwatercolumns.Bothofthempossessthecapability___40___（lift）lightweightobjects,transportthemoverconsiderabledistances,andeventuallyreleasethem.___41___farobjectstraveldependsontheirshapeandweightandthespeedofthewind,whichinthesepowerfulweatherphenomenacanreachover100milesperhour.Forexample,atornadoistoblameforanotherstrangefrogeventinDubuque,Iowa,in1882.Arainoffrogscamedownduringasummerstorm.___42___（typical）,rainformswhenraindropsfreeze,melt,andthenrefreezeagainseveraltimesintheupperpartsofthunderstormclouds.Expertsconcluded___43___inthisincident,atornadopickedup___44___armyofsmallfrogs.Thesefrogsthenfrozeandfellbacktothegroundasfrozenfrogpieces,leavingthetown'sresidentsastonishedand____45____（confuse）.【答案】36.filled37accounts38.falling39.with40.tolift41.How42.Typically43.that44.an45.confused第四部分寫作（共兩節(jié)，滿分40分）第一節(jié)（滿分15分）46.假定你是李華，你所在的國際學(xué)校準(zhǔn)備組織一次講中國民間故事（ChineseFolkTales）的主題活動(dòng)，請(qǐng)你為該活動(dòng)寫一篇開幕詞，內(nèi)容包括：（1）表示歡迎；（2）活動(dòng)目的；（3）活動(dòng)內(nèi)容。注意：（1）寫作詞數(shù)為80個(gè)左右；（2）請(qǐng)按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Dearteachersandstudents,_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Thankyou.【答案】Dearteachersandstudents,

Welcometoour“ChineseFolkTales”event.AspresidentoftheStudents’Union,I’mhonoredtobeheretodelivertheopeningaddress.ThepurposeofthiseventistoencourageeveryonetolearnmoreaboutChinesetraditionalcultureanditssignificance.TherewillberichintroductionstovariouslegendsinancientChina.Also,wewillbeholdingdifferentdiscussionsinwhichstudentsareencouragedtoexplorewhatthoselegendsmeanandhowtheyinfluenceusmodernyouth.Thankyouforyourattendance,andIwishyouallameaningfulandenjoyableexperience.第二節(jié)（滿分25分）47.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。Thenighthadgrownlate,andTommywasstillup,workinghard.Hewasdeterminedtoimprovehisgradesandscorehigherthanbefore.Awaveoftirednesshithim,buthepushedthrough,grabbinganothercupofcoffee.Theenergyboosthelpedhimstayfocused,andhecontinuedstudyingtilllatenight,knowingthathisdevotiontostudywouldbringhimgoodresults.Somethingunexpectedhappened.Whenthetestpaperswerereturnedthenextmorning,Tommycouldn’tbelievehiseyes—hewastheonlyonewhohadreceivedaD.Thisunexpectedgradehithimharderthanheexpected.Ashisclassmatescelebratedtheirsuccess,theirlaughterandchatteronlydeepenedhissenseoffailure.TheimageoftheDinhishandsbroughtuppainfulthoughtsofhowhisparentsviewedhisacademicperformance.Theweightofthistruthpresseddownonhim.AshestaredattheglaringDonhispaper,asenseofurgencyfilledhim.Herealizedsomethinghadtochange.Hecouldn’tkeepgoinglikethis.FueledbyadesireforchangeTommythrewhimselfintohisstudieswithafreshsenseofpurpose.Heparticipatedmoreinclass,activelyraisinghishandandengagingindisc