1、综合测试题(满分：120分建议用时：120分钟)第一部分阅读(50分)第一节(共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分)阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。AGrading Policies for Introduction to LiteratureGrading Scale90100, A; 8089, B; 7079, C; 6069, D; Below 60, E.Essays(60%)Your four major essays will combine to form the main part of the grade for this course
2、：Essay 110%; Essay215%; Essay315%; Essay420%.Group Assignments(30%)Students will work in groups to complete four assignments (作业) during the course. All the assignments will be submitted by the assigned date through Blackboard, our online learning and course management system. Daily Work/InClass Wri
3、tings and Tests/Group Work/Homework(10%)Class activities will vary from day to day, but students must be ready to complete short inclass writings or tests drawn directly from assigned readings or notes from the previous class lecture/discussion, so it is important to take careful notes during class.
4、 Additionally, from time to time I will assign group work to be completed in class or short assignments to be completed at home, both of which will be graded.Late WorkAn essay not submitted in class on the due date will lose a letter grade for each class period it is late. If it is not turned in by
5、the 4th day after the due date, it will earn a zero.Daily assignments not completed during class will get a zero.Short writings missed as a result of an excused absence will be accepted.()1.Where is this text probably taken from?AA textbook.BAn exam paper.CA course plan.DAn academic article.()2.How
6、many parts is a students final grade made up of?ATwo.BThree.CFour.DFive.()3.What will happen if you submit an essay one week after the due date?AYou will receive a zero.BYou will lose a letter grade.CYou will be given a test.DYou will have to rewrite it.【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了文学概论课程评分方针。1C推理判断题。根据文章标题“
7、Grading Policies for Introduction to Literature(文学概论课程评分办法)”和Essays (60%)部分中的“Your four major essays will combine to form the main part of the grade of for this course(你的四篇主要文章将构成本课程评分的主要部分)”可知，文章介绍了文学概论课程评分办法，可得出本文是出自一个课程计划。故选C项。2B细节理解题。根据黑体小标题“Essays(60%)” “Group Assignments(30%)”和“Daily Work/InCl
8、ass Writings and Tests/Groups Work/Homework(10%)”可知，学生的最终成绩由3部分组成。故选B项。3A推理判断题。根据“Late Work”部分“If it is not turned in by the 4th day after the due date, it will earn a zero(如果没有在截止日期后的第4天上交，将会得到零分)”可知，如果在截止日期后一周才交文章，你将会得零分。故选A项。BWhen I was five or six years old, I remember watching TV and seeing oth
9、er children suffer in other parts of the world.I would say to myself, “When I grow up, when I can get rich, I will save kids all over the world.”At 17, I started my career here in America, and by the age of 18, I started my first charity organisation.I went on to team up with other organisations in
10、the following years, and met, helped, and even lost some of the most beautiful souls, from sixyearold Jasmina Anema who passed away in 2010 from leukemia(白血病), whose story inspired thousands to volunteer as donors, to my grandmother, who lost her battle with cancer in 2012, and her death is the very
11、 reason and the driving force behind the Clara Lionel Foundation( CLF)Were all human.And we all just want a chance: a chance at life, a chance in education, a chance at a future, really.And at CLF, our mission is to impact as many lives as possible, but it starts with just one.People make it seem to
12、o hard to do charity work.The truth is, you dont have to be rich to help others.You dont need to be famous.You dont even have to be collegeeducated.But it starts with your neighbour, the person right next to you, the person sitting next to you in class, the kid down the block in your neighbourhood.Y
13、ou just do whatever you can to help in any way that you can.And today, I want to challenge each of you to make a commitment to help one person, one organisation, one situation that touches your heart.My grandmother always used to say, “If youve got a dollar, theres plenty to share.”()4.What did the
14、author want to do at a young age?AWatch TV.BGrow up quickly.CBecome wealthy.DHelp other children.()5.What directly caused the author to create and develop the CLF?AA sixyearold kids request.BHer grandmothers death of cancer.CMany volunteers inspiration.DOther organisations encouragement.()6.What doe
15、s the underlined word “one” in Paragraph 2 refer to?AA chance.BA task.CA life.DAn organisation.()7.What does the author suggest people do in the last paragraph?ADo little things to help those around them.BWork hard to get a college education.CChallenge their friends to offer help.DDo charity work wh
16、atever you are.【语篇解读】本文是一篇记叙文。慈善无关贫富，无关名誉，无关教育背景。本文认为应从帮助身边的人做起，成就自己的事业。4D细节理解题。根据第一段中的第二句“I would say to myself，When I grow up, when I can get rich, I will save kids all over the world.”并结合第一段内容可知，小时候在电视中看到受苦的孩子，作者想要在长大后帮助他们，故选D项。5B推理判断题。根据第二段第二句中“to my grandmother, who lost her battle with cancer
17、in 2012, and her death is the very reason and the driving force behind the Clara Lionel Foundation(CLF)”可知，在2012年，祖母因病去世，这促使作者成立了克拉拉莱昂内尔基金会(CLF)。 6C代词指代题。根据第二段的最后一句“And at CLF, our mission is to impact as many lives as possible, but it starts with just one.”可知，在克拉拉莱昂内尔基金会中作者的任务是尽可能影响更多的生命，但这个任务从影响一个
18、人的生命开始。根据该句中的“as many lives as possible”，结合“but just one”可知，画线词one指代“a life”。7A推理判断题。根据第三段中的第五句“But it starts with your neighbor, the person right next to you, the person sitting next to you in class, the kid down the block in your neighborhood.”可知， 作者建议做慈善从帮助身边的人做起。CEvery year between May and Septe
19、mber, all 54 employees of Basecamp, a Chicagobased web application company, have a short work week: just four daysa total of 32 hours.Also, they usually work five days, a week for the rest of the year.“Thats plenty of time to get great work done.This is all we expect and all we want from people，” sa
20、ys Jason Fried, a cofounder.“Working 50， 60， or 70plus hours is unnecessary.In fact, if you have to work 50， 60， or 70plus hours a week, theres a management problem.”The companys summer workload must fit reduced hours, Mr Fried insists, otherwise the benefits of a shorter week to recover from work,
21、enjoy time with family and pursue(追求) outside interests would be undone.His new research finds that it is not just long hours that are harmful to employees physical and mental health.It is also the intensity(强度) of work.Moreover, it suggests that intense work harms career prospects.That is because u
22、nbearable hours and intensity are in the opposite direction, reducing the quality of the work.The research concludes that the level of intensity we apply to the work we do is generally “a stronger predictor of unfavourable outcomes than overtime work”The research compared people of similar jobs and
23、education levels, and found they were more likely to suffer poorer happiness and worse career prospects, including satisfaction, security and promotion, when they worked at an intense level for long periods.()8.What do we know about Basecamps fourday work week?AIt lasts nearly half a year.BThe work
24、pressure is too high.CThere are some management problems.DEmployees work more than 8 hours a day.()9.What does Mr Fried intend to say in Paragraph 2?AGiven plenty of time, people can do more.BTo get work done well needs plenty of time.CPeople can do a job very well in a short work week.DA long work
25、week is appropriate for reduced workload.()10.What does the research mentioned in the text want to tell us?AGetting much more rest.BImproving work quality.CRefusing a fiveday work week.DAvoiding working too intensely.()11.What can be the best title for this passage?AMore Work, More ProfitsBLess Work
26、, Less BenefitsCShorter Week, Better Reward DLonger Hours, Higher Intensity【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。作者以“一家总部位于芝加哥的网络应用公司Basecamp的54名员工将近半年时间每周只工作4天(32小时)的情况”为例，说明了较短的工作周有益于人们的身心健康，并以一项研究来证明这个理论的正确。8A细节理解题。根据第一段可知，一家总部位于芝加哥的网络应用公司Basecamp的54名员工在每年5月到9月期间每周的工作时间都很短：只有4天，32小时，持续5个月，大概半年时间。9C推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Working
27、 50， 60， or 70plus hours is unnecessary. In fact, if you have to work 50， 60， or 70plus hours a week, theres a management problem.”可知，弗里德先生认为一周工作五六十个小时，甚至七十几个小时是没有必要的。如果真这么做了，反而会出现管理上的问题。由此推知，弗里德先生认为人们可以在短时间内把工作做好。10D推理判断题。根据第四至六段，尤其是第四段可知，最新研究发现，长时间工作不只是对员工的身心健康有害，工作的强度也会影响员工的职业前景。这是因为难以忍受的工作时长和工作强
28、度会降低工作质量。第五、六两段进一步说明了长时间高强度工作的坏处。由此可推知，该研究是建议人们要避免高强度工作。11C标题推测题。文章第一、二段以一家总部位于芝加哥的网络应用公司Basecamp为例，说明了较短的工作周的好处。第三段用数字说明了较短的工作周的好处。第四至六段介绍了一项有关工作时长和工作强度对人的影响的研究，更进一步印证了较短工作周对人身心方面的益处。由此可知C项最能概括全文内容。DJanus, the Roman god, has two faces looking in opposite directions.So does artificial intelligence(A
29、I)On one side are the positive changes, enabling people to achieve more, far more quickly, by using technology to improve their existing skills.Look the other way, though, and there are plenty of potential pitfalls.Like Janus, technological change may also cause disruption(混乱), but AI is likely to h
30、ave a bigger impact than anything since the appearance of computers, and its consequences could be far more disruptive.In the years ahead, AI will raise three big questions for bosses and governments.One is the effect on jobs.Although CEOs publicly praise the broad benefits AI will bring, their main
31、 interest lies in cutting costs.The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by 2030 up to 375 million people, or 14% of the global workforce, could have their jobs replaced by AI.A second important question is how to protect privacy as AI spreads.The Internet has already made it possible to track p
32、eoples digital behaviour in minute detail.AI will offer even better tools for businesses to monitor consumers and employees, both online and in the physical world.Consumers are sometimes happy to go along with this if it results in personalized service or promotions.But AI is bound to bring invasion
33、 of privacy that is seen as unacceptable.The third question is about the effect of AI on competition in business.A technology company that achieves a major breakthrough in artificial intelligence could race ahead of rivals.This is unlikely to happen in the near future, but if it did, it would be of
34、great concern.It is too early to tell whether the positive changes brought by AI will outweigh the risk.But it will put an end to traditional ways of doing things and start a new era for business and for the world at large.()12.Why does the author mention Janus?ATo introduce the topic.BTo praise the
35、 Roman god.CTo tell its difference.DTo support AI.()13.What does the underlined word “pitfalls” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?AConsequences.BRisks.CEffects.DBenefits.()14.Whats the main idea of the passage?AAI is a doubleedged sword.BPeople show great concern about AI.CPrivacy is threatened by AI.DAI
36、 will enjoy a bright future.()15.Whats the authors attitude towards AI?AWorried.BPositive.CPassive.DSubjective.【语篇解读】这是一篇议论文。人工智能是一把双刃剑，人工智能带来的积极变化是否会超过风险，现在下结论还为时过早。但它将终结传统的做事方式，开启一个商业和整个世界的新时代。12A推理判断题。第一段提到“杰纳斯，罗马的神，有两张脸朝相反的方向。人工智能也是如此。一方面是积极的变化，使人们能够通过使用技术来提高他们现有的技能，从而更快地实现更多的目标。尽管如此，看看其他方式，有很多潜
37、在的陷阱。”由此可推断出，文中提到“杰纳斯”是为了引出“人工智能”具有两面性这个话题。13B词义猜测题。上文提到了积极的变化，根据最后一段“It is too early to tell whether the positive changes brought by AI will outweigh the risk(人工智能带来的积极变化是否会超过风险，现在下结论还为时过早)”可知，下文“Look the other way, though, and there are plenty of potential pitfalls.”的意思是“尽管如此，看看其他方式，有很多潜在的风险”。pitf
38、alls的意思是风险。14A主旨大意题。第一段中“Janus, the Roman god, has two faces looking in opposite directions. So does artificial intelligence (AI)(杰纳斯，罗马的神，有两张脸朝相反的方向。人工智能(AI)也是如此)”是全文的主题句。结合全文内容可知，这篇文章主要讲了人工智能是一把双刃剑。 15B观点态度题。作者在最后一段提到“It is too early to tell whether the positive changes brought by AI will outweigh
39、 the risk. But it will put an end to traditional ways of doing things and start a new era for business and for the world at large(人工智能带来的积极变化是否会超过风险，现在下结论还为时过早。但它将终结传统的做事方式，开启一个商业和整个世界的新时代)”由此推断出，作者对人工智能的态度是积极的、肯定的。第二节(共5小题；每小题2.5分，满分12.5分)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项。In todays fastpace
40、d and sometimes uncaring society, it can be challenging to find anything to lift your spirits when you feel sad.In spite of how bad things may appear, there are some things you can do to get happy and enjoy your day._16_Get yourself an attitude of gratitude.For centuries, people over the world have
41、recognised how powerful gratitude is when it comes to lifting ones spirits.Frequently we are so caught up in what we lack that we fail to recognise all that we possess.Often, we are only reminded of the blessings present in our world when we meet someone worse off than we are or when those blessings
42、 are no longer a reality._17_ Keep a list of things for which you are grateful in case you need to jog your memory.Brighten someones day.It may be you who are feeling the blues, but when you brighten someone elses day, yours automatically becomes brighter.Smiles spread easily._18_Get some fresh air.
43、Fresh air refreshes the senses and makes you more likely to get up and do something rather than sit there in an unpleasant mood._19_ Even just walking in your flower or vegetable garden will do the trick._20_ Because the heart rate and breathing rate increase during exercise, a greater amount of oxy
44、gen is delivered to the body tissue.In addition to relieving stress, heightened physical activity will decrease the level of the stress hormone(荷尔蒙)As such, your mood can quickly change from a state of stress to one of joyfulness.AGet some exercise.BBe thankful for what you have.CHere are some great
45、 ways to lift your spirits.DGo for a walk with a friend or take a bike ride.EDo what you can to start an outbreak of happy faces.FThis promotes the production of the bodys natural pain relievers.GOrganise cupboards, garages and other areas that have become untidy.【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了可以振奋精神，并让人保持开心的几
46、种方法。16C根据上文提到“尽管事情看上去很糟糕， 你也可以做一些事使自己开心，并享受美好的一天”，再结合下文各段的内容可知，下文详细介绍了可以使自己开心并享受美好的一天的方法。C项“这儿有一些好方法，能够让你振奋精神”可起到承上启下的作用。17B根据本段的主旨句“Get yourself an attitude of gratitude.”可知， 本段提出的建议是“保持感恩的态度”，B项中的“Be thankful”与本段中的gratitude和设空处后的grateful相呼应， 符合语境。18E根据上文的内容可知，本段主要建议要给别人带来快乐；E项中的“happy faces”与上文中的S
47、miles属于同一范畴的词语，符合语境。19D根据下文的“Even just walking in your flower or vegetable garden will do the trick.”可知， 设空处介绍呼吸新鲜空气的具体方式。D项(去和朋友散散步或是骑行)是呼吸新鲜空气的方式之一，符合上下文语境内容。20A设空处位于句首，为本段的主题句。根据设空处后的内容可知，本段主要讲述了运动在调节情绪方面的作用，A项“做一些运动”可作为小标题。第二部分语言运用(30分)第一节(共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分)阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选
48、项。My name is Miranda Gibson.I have been at the top of a tree for five months now.Some people might _21_ why on earth I would choose to do that.I have walked through this forest many times.On 12 December 2011, _22_ rolled into the forest and the destruction(摧毁) began.I couldnt _23_ the thought that t
49、hese forests would be _24_ forever.So, on 14 December 2011, I packed up my life, _25_ my job plans, and climbed 60 meters to the top of this tree.I have been here ever since.Life in the tree tops can be _26_ at times.I have times when I feel frustrated(沮丧) and wish I could _27_， to anywhere, just ha
50、ve a _28_ of scenery for a minute! There are times too, when I feel terribly _29_.I _30_ my friends and family.Despite these times, I find myself loving the _31_.Living on the tree has been inspiring.I am willing to _32_ up here for as long as it takes, but I _33_ hope it wont be too _34_ before I c
51、an put my feet on the ground below and stand in a forest that will never be _35_.()21.A.wonderBbroadcastCcastDpurchase()22.A.waterBanimalsCmachineryDtourists()23.A.bearBhelpCkeepDspare()24.A.soldBstolenCprotectedDlost()25.A.grew out ofBfell shortCran out ofDlet go of()26.A.refreshingBriskyCchallengi
52、ngDrewarding()27.A.get upBget awayCgive inDgive up()28.A.changeBlookCsearchDtouch()29.A.confusedBnervousCsorryDlonely()30.A.exposeBbehaveCmissDdemonstrate()31.A.heightBexperienceCbackground Dposition()32.A.returnBstopCstayDhide()33.A.honestlyBuncriticallyCrespectivelyDrarely()34.A.soonBlongCnearDbad
53、()35.A.movedBloggedCburnedDmissed【语篇解读】文章的作者是米兰达吉布森。为了保护森林，她在树上已经待了五个月了，她向人们解释她这样做的原因。21A上文作者提到她在树上已经五个月了，结合空后的“why on earth”可知，此处的意思是“有些人想知道我为什么这样做”，所以选A。 22C根据下文的“rolled into the forest and the destruction began”可知，C项“大型机器”符合语境。23A一想到这些森林会永远失去，作者就感到无法忍受。“cant bear sth.”意为“无法忍受”。24D根据前面的“the destru
54、ction began”可知，此处应填lost，意为“失去”。25D根据句意：我结束了我原先的生活，放弃了(let go of)工作计划。26C根据下文的“I have times when I feel frustrated and wish I could, to anywhere”可知，树上的生活充满着挑战(challenging)。27B根据下文的“to anywhere”可知，作者想离开(get away)这里。28A作者希望自己可以离开树上，“换一换风景”，也就是换个环境。29D根据下文的“I _30_ my friends and family.”可知，作者有的时候感到非常孤独(
55、lonely)。30C上文提到，作者也会感到非常艰难的时刻，而且是自己一个人在树上，因此也会“思念”家人和朋友的。因此，本题应选C项。31B 根据下一段的“Living on the tree has been inspiring.”可知，作者发现自己喜爱这段经历(experience)。32C根据下文的“up here for as long as it takes”可知，此处填stay(停留；逗留)。33. A这里表达的是作者的心声，是说出了她自己真诚的想法。四个选项中，唯有honestly符合文意。34B根据上文的“for as long as it takes”可知，此处描述作者矛盾的
56、心理，希望自己不会待的太长。35B作者希望自己站在一个永远不被砍伐的森林里。根据上文的“the destruction began”可知，此处填logged(砍伐)。第二节(共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分)阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。What makes the sea turn red and causes thousands of fish to die? As far back as anyone could remember, the blame was placed on the “red tides”In 1947, scientists
57、 finally connected the red tides with a microscopic sea organism(有机体) 36._ (call) the dinoflagellate(腰鞭毛虫)The dinoflagellate is so tiny37._ 6,000 of these organisms may be contained in 38._ single drop of water.It stands on the borderline between plant and animal in its classification.It produces it
58、s own food, as plants do.But it moves 39._ (free) and eats other organisms, as animals do.Dinoflagellates are normally only one of the many kinds of organisms found in plankton.Plankton is the name given to all very small40._(form) of sea life.However, when the air and water 41._(be) calm and warm,
59、dinoflagellates multiply with42._(amaze) speed.The surface of the water appears43._ (cover) with a red carpet.The dinoflagellates give off a poison.Many fish die.Their bodies are washed up on the beach.Beaches are not fit44._ any use.Fish that are not killed may become45._(poison) to animals or peop
60、le who eat them.Commercial fishing comes to a stop.【语篇解读】这是一篇说明文，主要介绍了微小的海洋生物腰鞭毛虫并阐述了其对海洋产生的影响。36called考查非谓语动词。根据句子结构可知，设空处需用非谓语动词；dinoflagellate和call构成被动关系，故用过去分词作后置定语。故填called。37that考查连接词。根据句子结构可知，设空处引导状语从句；“soadj./adv.that”表示“如此以至于”。故填that。38a考查冠词。根据句子结构可知，设空处需用冠词修饰名词drop，由于single是以辅音音素开头的单词，故填a。
61、a drop of water表示“一滴水”。39freely考查副词。设空处修饰动词，需用其副词形式。故填freely。40forms考查名词复数。根据设空处前的all可知，all后用名词复数形式。故填forms。41are考查谓语动词。根据全文时态为一般现在时可知，设空处也需用一般现在时；and连接两个表示不同意义的名词air和water作主语，谓语需用复数形式。故填are。42amazing考查形容词。设空处修饰名词speed，故用其形容词形式。故填amazing。43to be covered考查非谓语动词。appear to do sth.表示“似乎要做某事”；“the surfac
62、e of the water”和cover之间构成被动关系。故填to be covered。“be covered with”表示“被覆盖”。44for考查介词。“be fit for”为固定词组，表示“适合”。故填for。45poisonous考查形容词。become是系动词，设空处需用其形容词作表语。故填poisonous。第三部分写作(40分)第一节(满分15分)假定你是李华，你即将结束在美国高中为期两周的参观访问。欢送仪式上，你将致感谢词并向对方赠送体现中国特色的礼物。请你写一篇感谢词，内容包括：1感谢热情接待；2.阐明礼物意义；3.邀请其来中国。注意：1.写作词数应为80个左右；2请
63、按如下格式在相应位置作答。_One possible version：Good evening, dear teachers and fellow students!First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to express our sincere gratitude for your warm welcome and hospitable reception. The beauty of your campus and variety of school activities deeply im
64、press us, and your warmth has made our brief stay here pleasant and memorable.Here is a Chinese knot for you, a symbol of reunion, friendliness, peace and love in China. We wish you greater happiness, prosperity and academic progress.Finally wed like to invite you to visit China sometime in the near
65、 future.Thank you very much.第二节(满分25分)阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。I grew up in a small town where elementary school was a tenminute walk from my house and in an age, not so long ago, when we children could go home for lunch and find our mothers waiting.At the time, I didnt consider this to
66、be so important, although today it certainly would be.Actually, our lunch time together in the past years had had a great influence on my life before I realised it.Our lunch time when I was in the third grade will stay with me always.I had been picked to be the princess in the school play, and for w
67、eeks my mother had painstakingly practised my lines with me.But no matter how easily I delivered them at home, as soon as I stepped onstage, every word disappeared from my head.Finally, my teacher took me aside.She explained patiently that she needed a narrator and had written a narrators part to th
68、e play, and asked me to switch roles.Her words, kindly delivered, still hurt me, especially when I saw my part go to another girl.I didnt tell my mother what had happened when I went home for lunch that day.But she sensed my unease, and instead of suggesting we practise my lines, she asked if I want
69、ed to walk in the yard.It was a lovely spring day and the rose vine(藤) was turning green.Under the huge trees, we could see yellow dandelions(蒲公英) appearing unexpectedly through the grass in bunches, as if a painter had touched our landscape with small amounts of gold.I watched my mother casually be
70、nd down by one of the bushes.“I think Im going to dig up all these weeds，” she said, pulling a blossom up by all its roots.“From now on, well have roses in this garden.” I immediately protested, “But I like dandelions.All flowers are beautifuleven dandelions.”注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；2请按如下格式在相应位置作答。“Do you
71、mean that every flower has its own beauty？” asked my mother thoughtfully._One possible version：“Do_you_mean_that_every_flower_has_its_own_beauty？”_asked_my_mother_thoughtfully. I nodded without hesitation, as if a second wasted could deprive the dandelions of their life. “The same to you，” she added
72、, her voice soft. “Not everyone can be a rose, and it is also an honour to be a dandelion.” Knowing that my mother had realised my pain, I took off the mask that I had worn for the whole lunch time and poured out my unease heartily. She listened to me patiently and patted me on the back tenderly. Su
73、ddenly she stopped, as if to say something.“But you will be a beautiful narrator，” Mom said._One possible version：“But_you_will_be_a_beautiful_narrator，”_Mom_said. She reminded me of how fluently I could deliver my part at home. It was at that time that I understood that maybe I was more suitable fo
74、r a role backstage like a narrator. From then on, I practiced my lines heart and soul with my mother at lunch time for weeks. And the performance approached ultimately. Standing backstage, nervousness came flooding in me. What encouraged me to overcome it was the inspiration from the beautiful yellow dandelions. The performance that night was eventually a big success. Hearing the thunderous applause, I took pride in my role and firmly believed that even a dandelion had its own beauty.
