福建省泉州市2026屆高中畢業(yè)班質(zhì)量監(jiān)測(cè)(二)英語(yǔ)試題(試卷滿分：150分，考試時(shí)間：120分鐘)★祝馬到成功★注意事項(xiàng)：1.答題前，考生須在試題卷、答題卡規(guī)定的位置填寫自己的準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)、姓名?？忌鷳?yīng)認(rèn)真核對(duì)答題卡上粘貼的條形碼的“準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)、姓名”與考生本人準(zhǔn)考證號(hào)、姓名是否一致。2、回答選擇題時(shí)，選出每小題答案后，用鉛筆把答題卡上對(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)。回答非選擇題時(shí)，將答案寫在答題卡上。寫在本試卷上無(wú)效。3、考試結(jié)束，考生須將試題卷和答題卡一并交回。第一部分聽(tīng)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(tīng)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)，并標(biāo)在試卷的相應(yīng)位置。聽(tīng)完每段對(duì)話后，你都有10秒鐘的時(shí)間來(lái)回答有關(guān)小題和閱讀下一小題。每段對(duì)話讀兩遍。例:Howmuchistheshirt?A.￡19.15. B.￡9.18. C.￡9.15.答案是C。1.WhatwillJudydo?A.Setupananimalshelter.B.Lookaftertheanimals.C.Adoptahomelessanimal.2.Whenwillthetalkbegiven?A.Onthe10th. B.Onthe13th. C.Onthe16th.3.Whatarethespeakerstalkingabout?A.Coldweather. B.Morningjog. C.Anearbycafé.4.Whatdoesthemanpreferforhisholiday?A.Livelyscenes. B.Peacefulmoments. C.Socialinteractions.5.Whatdoesthemanimply?A.Heenjoyedteaching.B.Hetookupdrawingthere.C.Hedesiredtostaylonger.第二節(jié)(共15小題；每小題1.5分，滿分22.5分)聽(tīng)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)，并標(biāo)在試卷的相應(yīng)位置。聽(tīng)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(tīng)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(tīng)第6段材料，回答第6、7題。6.Wherearethespeakers?A.Inacinema. B.Onanairplane. C.Onatrain.7.Whatdoesthewomanaskthemantodo?A.Ordersomesnacks. B.Callanattendant. C.Passonamessage.聽(tīng)第7段材料，回答第8至10題。8.Whatisthewomanlearningtooperate?A.Acamera. B.Aprojector. C.Aphotocopier.9.Whichbuttonisforstandbymode?A.Theredone. B.Thegreenone. C.Theblueone.10.Whatcanbeadjustedbyturningthewheel?A.Thecolour. B.Thebrightness. C.Theimagesize.聽(tīng)第8段材料，回答第11至13題。11.Whatisthemandoing?A.Doinganinterview.B.Planningforleisuretime.C.Consultingschoolsubjects.12.WhathasLaurabeeninterestedinrecently?A.Playingtheguitar.B.JoiningasinginggroupC.Doingballet.13.WhatisLaura'sfutureplan?A.TolearnEnglishwell.B.Tobecomeageographyteacher.C.TopromoteAI-enablededucation.聽(tīng)第9段材料，回答第14至17題。14.Whoarethespeakers?A.Teacherandstudent. B.Fellowresearchers. C.Classmates.15.Whatwillthewomandothisyear?A.Learnpsychology. B.Changenermajor. C.Directsomefilms.16.Whatdidthemanadvisethewomantodo?A.EngageinclassmoreB.Seekinsightsaboutsuccess.C.Interactwithmorestudents.17.Whatdoesthewomaninvitethemantodo?A.Offerfilm-makingtips.B.Getinvolvedinherproject.C.Makecommentsonherproject.聽(tīng)第10段材料，回答第18至20題。18.Whataspectofthecolouring-inbooksattractsbuyers?A.Elementofchildhoodmemories.B.Simplepaintingskills.C.Digitalfeatures19.Whatdoescolouring-inbooks'successaffect?A.Pencilqualities. B.Pencilsales. C.Pencilprice.20.Whatisthetextmainlyabout?A.Socialmedia'simpactonpopularart.B.Acolouring-inbookcrazeamongadults.C.Thestruggleofpencilproduction.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和D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出最佳選項(xiàng)。AThebestUnitedStatesmuseumsofferdiversereasonstoexplorethenation.Planyourjourneybycheckingoutsometoppicks:BirminghamMuseumofArtBirminghamisadestinationforhistoricarchitecture,theatres,andJamesBeardaward-winningSouthernfood.Andoneofthebestsamplesofthelocalcultureisthecity'sMuseumofArt.Themuseumhousesover24,000piecesfromglobalcultures,plusafinecollectionofRenaissanceandAcademicart.Don'tmissthemuseum'sCharlesW.IrelandSculptureGarden.Inanefforttomakeartmoreaccessibletotheblindandpeoplewithvisionloss,thegardenfeaturesseveralsculpturesmeanttobetouched.Ying-HuiFu,ahumangeneticistandneuroscientistatUCSanFrancisco,recallsthereisonefamilywhosememberswokeupearlybutdidn'tgotobedearly,andfeltrefreshedafteronlyaboutsixhoursofsleep.Theywerethefirstpeopleidentifiedwithfamilialnaturalshortsleep,aconditionthatrunsinfamilieslikeothergeneticfeatures.FuandhercolleaguePta?ekthoughttheshortsleeporiginatedfromamutation(變異)inagenecalledDEC2.TheresearcherswentontogeneticallyengineertheDEC2mutationintomice,showingthattheanimalsneedlesssleepthantheirlittermates.Overtime,theresearchershaveidentifiedsevengenesassociatedwithnaturalshortsleep.Likemice,peoplewhoarenaturallyshortsleepersseemtobeimmune(免疫的)totheilleffectsofshortsleep.Ifanything,theydoextraordinarilywell.Researchsuggeststhatsuchpeopleareambitious,energeticandoptimistic,withremarkablerecoverabilityagainststressandhigherthresholds(閾值)forpain.Butthoughsleephasastronggeneticcomponent,itcanalsobeshapedbytheenvironment.Knowingthatbettersleepispossible,andunderstandingthebasis,couldpointthewaytointerventionstoimprovesleep,enablingmorepeopletolivelonger,healthierlives.24.Whatdoestheunderlinedpart“noworseforwear”inparagraph1mean?A.Unharmed. B.Uncomfortable. C.Abnormal. D.Exhausted.25.Whatcanweknowaboutthementionedfamilyinparagraph3?A.TheyareearlytobedandearlytoriseB.Theirsleepqualitydependsonthequantity.C.Theyaregeneticallybuilttorequirelesssleep.D.DEC2isadecisivefactorintheirhealthcondition.26.Whatistheultimategoalofthisresearch?A.Todeveloptoolsforeditingsleepgenes.B.Toimprovesleepqualityforbetterhealth.C.Toidentifyspecificsleep-relatedgenes.D.Tocreateuniversalsleepreductionprograms.27Whatcanbeasuitabletitleforthetext?A.LessShut-Eye,BetterHealth B.SleepQualityandGeneMutationC.TheOnesWhoNeedLessSleep D.TheHiddenCostsofShortSleepCIhavealwaysbeenapersonthatneededtohavethetimetoexploreorexperiencesomethingbeforeIcouldmakepersonalmeaning.Ioftenfoundthatwithoutfirst-handexperiences,Iwouldsoonforget.Andnaturealwayshelpedmerememberandmakeconnectionstootherconceptsandideas.DenverMuseumofNature&Science(DMNS)Whileattractingmanyfamilies,thisDenvermuseumisbestknownforitsgreatexhibitionsthatdrawhugecrowds.YoucanexpectticketedandtimedtemporaryexhibitionsthatshowcaseeverythingfromthetreasuresofChinatothecultureofCuba.Itsmassive,variedcollectionfeaturesagiantdinosaurskeleton(骨架),plusexhibitsonouterspaceandthehumanbody.OregonMuseumofScienceandIndustry(OMSI)Perfectfortheyoungandyoung-at-heart,OMSIisamagnificentmuseumthatwillkeepthewholefamilyentertainedfordays.Themuseumishometofivehallspackedwithmorethan200interactivenatural-scienceandtechnologyexhibitsandlabs,amotionsimulator,thestate'smosttechnologicallyadvancedfour-story-screenmovietheatre,andspecialseasonalexhibits.KansasUnionStationInadditiontobeingoneofthemostbeautifultrainstationsinthecountryafteracompleterestorationofitsfullBeauxArtsglory,thestationistheplacetobe,evenifyou'reskippingtherail.Themostrecentadditionstothestationinclude:apermanentrailhistoryexhibit,aplanetariumwhereyoucanexplorespaceandstars,asciencecentreforkids,andamovietheatre.21.Whichmuseumbestsuitsindividualswithvisualdisabilities?A.BirminghamMuseumofArt. B.DenverMuseumofNature&Science.C.KansasUnionStation. D.OregonMuseumofScienceandIndustry.22.WhatisadistinguishedcharacteristicofOMSI?A.Specialtemporaryexhibits. B.Fam.lyfriendlyatmosphere.C.Interactivesci-techexperience. D.Technology-themedcollections.23.WhatcanvisitorsenjoyinbothKansasUnionStationandDMNS?A.Giantdinosaurdisplays. B.exhibitionsaboutvehteles.C.Diverseculturalcollections. D.Placestolearnaboutastronomy.BEveryonehasheardthatit'svitaltogetseventoninehoursofsleepanight.Getanythingless,andyouaremorelikelytosufferfrompoorhealthintheshortandlongterm.Butinrecentyears,scientistshavediscoveredararegroupofpeoplewhoconsistentlygetlittleshut-eyeandarenoworseforwear.Naturalshortsleepers,astheyarecalled,aregeneticallywiredtoneedonlyfourtosixhoursofsleepanight.Theseexceptionssuggestthatquality,notquantity,iswhatmatters.Ifscientistscouldfigureoutwhatthesepeopledodifferently,itmight,theyhope,provideinsightintosleep'sverynature.Confucius'saying“IhearandIforget.IseeandIremember.IdoandIunderstand.”becamecleartomethroughDr.BillBelzer.Atthecamp,heleduscitykidsraisedamidconcrete,blacktopandlittlegreenspace——onadventures.Everymorninghewouldofferastreamhike,mudhike,ornaturestudyofsomesort,Atfirst,Iheldbackfromjoininghim.However,whenIsawtheothercampersreturningfromtheiroutingshappyandexcited,Iwenttonaturestudybecauseitseemedfun,anditwas！EverytimeIwenttoBelzer'snaturestudy,everyonewasobserving,touching,listening,sowasourleader.Witheachdiscoverywemadeonthewalk,newthingswouldcometolight,inspiringunexpectedconnections.OccasionallyBillwouldcomeoverandsay,“Whatdoyousee?”Itwasnotplanned,itwasspontaneous(自發(fā)的)andwewereattractedtothiskindofplayandexploration.Withthisinthemind,ItooktheleapintothiskindoflearningbyorganisingastreamstrollattheuniversitywhereItaught.Eachundergraduatewasassignedagroupofaboutfourorfivefirst-gradechildren.Andwithasplash,wewereallexplorers.Theundergraduatesinitiallytriedtoguidethechildrentoseespecificthings,butlaterfoundthatthechildrenhadtheirownexplorationdirections,sotheyturnedtofollowthechildren'srhythmandwereshockedbythisunplannedexploration.Learningaboutnatureandourearth,tomakeapersonalconnection,mustbethroughinvolvementinsomethingovertime.That'stheproof:alastingconnectiontonatureandlearningisformednotinclassrooms,butindoing.28.HowdidtheauthorinitiallyfeelaboutjoiningDr.Belzer'snaturestudy?A.Cautious. B.Hesitant. C.Prepared. D.Curious.29.WhydoestheauthormentionDr.Belzer'scamp?A.Torecallamemorabechildhoodadventure.B.Toprovecitykidslackexposuretonature.C.Todemonstratelearningthroughdirectexperience.D.TopresentthefigureofDr.BillBelzer.30.Whathappenedwhentheundergraduatesfreedthechildren?A.Thekids'self-directeddiscoveriesamazedthem.B.Theundergraduatestookovertheroleofguiding.C.Thechildrenlostinterestwithoutcleardirection.D.Theactivitybecamechaoticandunproductive.31.Whatistheauthor'smainargumentinthetext?A.Teachersshouldreceivetraininginoutdooreducation.B.Lastinglearningcomesfrompersonalinvolvementindoing.C.Unplannedexplorationisthebestwayforchildrentolearn.D.Naturestudyismoreeffectivethanclassroominstruction.DOnalaboratorybenchinCambridge,Massachusetts,polishedroundblocksofblackconcretesitbathedinliquidandwrappedinwires.DamianStefaniukpressesaswitch——theblocks,wiredtoanLED,makethebulbtolife.Thissuccesspromisesanewfutureforenergystorage.Renewableenergylikesolarandwindisnotalwaysavailable,requiringbatteriesforstorage.However,lithium(鋰)batteriesfaceshortagesandcanproducepoisonouschemicals,drivingthesearchforalternatives.ThisiswhereStefaniuk'sconcretecomesin:heandcolleaguescreatesupercapacitorsfromwater,cement(水泥),andcarbonblack.Thesupercapacitor'scoreliesincarbonblack'shighabilitytoconductelectricity.Mixedwithcementandwater,itformsconcretewithconductivenetworks.Supercapacitorsarehighlyefficientatstoringenergybutdifferfrombatteriesinsomeways.Theycanchargemuchmorequicklyandtheirenergystoragedensityisenoughtopowera10-wattLEDbulbfor30hours.However,supercapacitorsalsoreleasestoredpowerrapidly,makingthemlessusefulindevicessuchasmobilephones,laptops,orelectriccarsthatrequireasteadysupplyofenergy.Oneapplicationofsupercapacitorsistocreateroadsthatstoresolarenergyandthenreleaseittorechargeelectriccarswirelesslyastheydrivealongaroad.Therapidreleaseofenergyfromthesupercapacitorwouldallowvehiclestogetarapidboosttotheirbatteries.Anotherwouldbeasenergy-storingfoundationsofhouses——30to40cubicmetersmeetsahousehold'sdailyneeds,Stefaniuknotes:“Walls,foundationsorcolumnscansupportstructuresandstoreenergy.”Whilereducinglithiumreliance,carbon-cementsupercapacitorshaveenvironmentalimpacts:cementproductionisresponsiblefor5-8%ofglobalcarbondioxideemissions,andthecarbon-cementneededwouldneedtobefreshlymaderatherthanaddedtoandusedinexistingstructures.Buttheremaybeawayofovercomingtheproblem,addsMichaelShort,wholeadstheCentreforSustainableEngineeringatTeessideUniversity.Hiscolleaguesarealreadyworkingonlow-emissionscementthatismadefromtheby-productsofthesteelandchemicalindustries.32.WhatisaprimarypurposeofStefaniukandhiscolleagues'research?A.Todevelopnewapplicationsofconcretes.B.Tointroduceamaterialforlithiumbatteries.C.Tostudythepropertiesofcementmixture.D.Tocreateanewapproachforenergystorage.33.Whatisparagraph2mainlyabout?A.Thegrowingadoptionofrenewableenergy.B.Theprocessofmakinganewstoragedevice.C.Theproblemswithcurrentlithiumbatterytechnology.D.Thereasonsfordevelopingcarbon-cementsupercapacitors.34.Whatisanapplicationforsupercapacitors?A.Poweringhomeappliancescontinuously.B.WirelesslychargingelectricvehiclesonroadsC.ServingasthemainbatteryformobilephonesD.Replacingalltraditionalbuildingfoundations:35.WhatdoesShort'scurrentresearchfocusoh?A.Reducingrelianceoncarbon-cement. B.Upgradingexistingstructures.C.Tacklinghighcarbonfootprint. D.Simplifyinglow-eostingredients.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)。GlancethroughyourWeChatMomentsorTikTokfeed,andyou'llseeallkindsofposts:afriendstronglyrecommendinga“magicstudymethod”thatguaranteestopgradesoravideoclaiming“eatingchocolateeverydaypreventscolds”.36Theanswerliesincriticalthinking.Criticalthinkingdoesn'tmeanbeingnegativeorarguingwitheveryone.Itsimplymeanstakingastepback,askingquestions,andrefusingtoacceptinformationatfacevalue.37Wetendtobelievethingsthatfitourexistingideasorthatlotsofpeoplearetalkingabout.Butthisautopilotmodecanmisleadus.Imagineyourteammatesuggestsaplanthateveryoneelsenodsalongwithimmediatelyinagroupdiscussion.Acriticalthinkerwon'tjustagreetoavoidconflict.They'llask:Dowehavetheresourcestopullthisoff?38Isthereabetterwaytodividethework?”Thesequestionsdon'tmakeyouatroublemaker——theymaketheprojectstronger.39You'veprobablyheard“you'reeitheramathpersonoralanguageperson”.Acriticalthinkerwouldlookforevidence.Researchonlearningstylesproveswhilepeoplehavepreferences,anyonecanimproveatmathorlanguageswiththerightmethod.Criticalthinkingturnsyoufromapassivelearnerintoanactiveonewhotakeschargeoftheirowneducation.Nexttimeyou'reabouttohit“share”onapostoraccepta“fact”astrue,stopfor10seconds.40You'llbesurprisedbyhowmuchbetteryourdecisionsbecomeandhowmuchmoreconfidentyoufeelinyourownvoice.Afterall,thesmarteststudentsaren'ttheoneswhoknowalltheanswers——they'retheoneswhoknowhowtoasktherightquestions.A.Ourbrainsloveshortcuts.B.Turnoffyourbrain'sautopilot.C.Doesthisplanfitourdeadline?D.Whymighttheysharethisinformation?E.Howdoyoudecidewhichofthesetobelieve?F.Socialmediaiswherecriticalthinkingismostneeded.G.Criticalthinkingalsoshinesinfacingstudymisconceptions.第三部分語(yǔ)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，從各題所給的A、B、C和D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的地點(diǎn)。Iturneighttoday.I'mnotjustanyeight-year-old.Irankedfirstonmymathtest.I'msureI'mamath41.So,todaywhateverIsaygoes.Grandmagetsit.Shehasmademyfavouritechocolate-strawberrycakeandevenplansto42myno-screen-timemomtoplayvideogameswithme.ButGrandpa?He'ssleepingonhisonlygrandson'sbirthday！I'mupsetbecausehe's43me.Momasksmetowait,butIcanfeelthe44risinginsideme.Istartscreamingandcrying.IamstillangrywhenGrandpa45.After.puttinginhisfalseteethwithdifficulty,heinvitesmeforawalk.Unwillingly,Ifollowhimto46intothegarden.Iknowhe'saboutto47me:respectyourelders,etc.Instead,he48asksmetohelphimsitdownonabenchsoonafter.Forasecond,Irememberit'smybirthdayandIcandowhateverIwant.ButwhenIseehislegs49whilebendinghisknees,Irushovertohelphim.Grandpacan50walkthoughheusedtohikewholemountains.Istartto51somethinginmychest.Puttinghiswrinklyhandovermine,Grandpasays,“Tellmeaboutthevideogameyou52,andI'lltellyoumy53.We'lllistentoeachother.Deal?”Icryagain,butthistimeitfeels54.Strangely,itfeelsmorelikemy55thanever.41.A.expert B.miracle C.genius D.prince42.A.remind B.pressure C.forbid D.permit43.A.rejecting B.criticising C.disturbing D.ignoring44.A.anger B.confidence C.empathy D.gratitude45.A.comesto B.pullsover C.turnsup D.setsoff46.A.vanish B.inch C.burst D.march47.A.transform B.comfort C.lecture D.defeat48.A.vividly B.sharply C.urgently D.softly49.A.shaking B.bleeding C.swinging D.straightening50.A.energetically B.gracefully C.steadily D.barely51.A.eliminate B.capture C.feel D.reinforce52.A.develop B.love C.release D.stream53.A.predictions B.collections C.preferences D.stories54.A.different B.loyal C.conscious D.fascinating55.A.ceremony B.birthday C.lifestyle D.portrait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。Teaisthemostpopulardrinkintheworldafterwater.ThestoryofteabeginsinancientChina,wherelegendcreditsitsdiscoverytoEmperorShennongin2737BCE.Accordingtolegend,whiletheemperorwasboilingwater,some56(leaf)fromanearbywildtreeblewintohispot,resultingina57(refresh)drinkandthepopularityofteainChina.Initially,it58(consume)foritshealing(治療)properties,butquicklybecameadailydrink.BytheTangDynasty(AD618-907),teadrinkingwaswellestablishedinChinesesociety59anartformandasocialactivity.CarriedbytravelersfromChina,teamovedalongtheoldsilkroadstotheMiddleEastbythe10thcentury.There,peopleofhighstatusandlearnedgroupstooktoit.Itbecame60keypartoffriendlymeetingsandthoughtfultalksinnicegardensandprivaterooms,eventually61(give)risetoawell-developedteawayoflifethatstressedwarmth,companionship,and62(pure).TeatraveledalongtraderoutestotheMiddleEastandEurope,63(primary)throughtheeffortsofPortugueseandDutchtradersinthe16thcentury.Bythe17thcentury,teahadbecome64(fashion)amongEuropeannobility,particularlyinBritain,65itevolvedfirstintoasymbolofstatusandlaterintoadrinkenjoyedbypeopleofallclasses.第四部分寫作(共兩節(jié)，滿分40分)第一節(jié)(滿分15分)你校近期組織了一次“CampusBeautificationDay”實(shí)踐活動(dòng)。學(xué)校英文報(bào)以此為題征文。請(qǐng)你寫一篇短文投稿，談?wù)勈斋@和不足，并提出建議。注意：1.寫作詞數(shù)應(yīng)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。CampusBeautificationDay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(kāi)頭語(yǔ)續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。Asaveryshywriterwhohadbeensendingoutmanuseripts(手稿)foryears,Icouldn'tdecidewhatscaredmemore:nevergettingpublished,orfinallygettingpublishedandhavingtotalkaboutmybookinfrontofpeople.Itwasatoughchoice.Iwasn'tjustalittlenervous——Iwastrulyafraidofspeakingtostrangers.Once,atasmallwriters'group,Ialmostcriedwhenitwasmyturntointroducemyself.“Youlivelikeanisland,”myeditorLucytoldmeafterIdeclinedapromotionalopportunity.“Publishingmeansdeliveringyourhearttotheworld.Stepout,oryourwordsremaintrappedonpaper.”Herwordshurtbuttheyweretrue.Atthesuggestionofmyfriends,IattendedaToastmastersmeeting.TakingtheleapwasthehardeststepIhadevertaken.Butthewarmthofthememberstheredisarmedme,particularlyMax,aretiredprofessorandaseasonedinstructorintheclub.Hiscalmpresencewasquietlyencouraging.Isignedup,withthehopeofgradualchange.Then,unexpectedly,Iwasofferedacontractofpublishingmybook.Iwasoverthemoon!Rightthen.IranintomyfriendBarb,ateacher.“Youmustspeaktomyclass!”sheinsisted.“Oh,no,”Ishookmyhead,myfaceflushing.“I'mnotready.”Dayslater,Lucycalled.“Weneedtoscheduleyo