2020年全国普通高等学校招生统一考试英语模拟卷（四）（解析版）

2020年普通高等学校招生统一考试
英语卷(四)
(时间：100分钟，满分：120分)
第一部分　阅读理解(共两节，满分35分)
第一节(共10小题；每小题2.5分，满分25分)
阅读下列短文，从每小题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A (2019·广州市调研测试)
Turkey—Yakamoz Hotel
Established 1992
Yakamoz is a small and friendly hotel situated near Fethiye in south­west Turkey.Offering traditional Turkish hospitality，fabulous Mediterranean cuisine and charming gardens，Yakamoz delights all who enter its gates.
·All rooms have bathrooms and balconies；
·Open from April to late October；
·2019 rates—twin bedded rooms ￡20 per person；
·Show this ad to get an exclusive 10% Lonely Planet guide book discount.
www.yakamozhotel.com
E­mail：info@ yakamozhotel.com
Castaways
A SPECIALIST IN TAILOR­MADE HOLIDAYS TO MALLORCA, SPAIN, MADEIRA，PORTUGAL，THE CANARY ISLANDS，CYPRUS AND FRANCE.
*****
QUOTE LONELY PLANET GUIDE BOOK TO SAVE ￡50 PER PERSON ON YOUR 2019 HOLIDAY.
*****
01737 812255
www.castaways.co.uk
ONCE­IN­A­LIFETIME PERU ADVENTURE
The Desert，the Andes and the Amazon are included on a spectacular two­week self­drive guided holiday. Reach locations in South America that others can only dream of with Peru Safari.
～～～～～
PERU SAFARI
The heart of adventure
～～～～～
T：＋44 01744 889819 or ＋ 44 07522 776160
E：info@perusafari.com
W：www.perusafari.com
Rail Holidays of the World
·Discover Peru and Brazil's cultural highlights by train；
·Explore California by steam and railroad；
·Travel by rail into Eastern Canada's remote wilderness；
·Take a fabulous rail tour of Australia & New Zealand in early 2019.
Over 40 Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys
☆☆☆☆☆
Ffestiniog Travel
www.ffestiniogtravel.com 01766 512400
【语篇解读】　本文介绍了几个旅游广告。
1．What is the cost for two nights of accommodation for two people at the Yakamoz Hotel with the Lonely Planet guide book discount?
A．￡88. 　　　　　　 B．￡80.
C．￡72. D．￡64.
C　[考查数字计算。根据Turkey—Yakamoz Hotel部分中的“2019 rates—twin bedded rooms ￡20 per person”和“Show this ad to get an exclusive 10% Lonely Planet guide book discount”，并结合题干可知，两个人两夜优惠后应付的费用是：￡20×2×2×90%＝￡72，故选C。]
2．Rail holidays are available for ．
A．North America，Europe and Australia
B．North America，South America and Asia
C．Australia，Asia and Europe
D．North America，South America and Australia
D　[考查推理判断。根据Rail Holidays of the World部分中提到的“Peru”“Brazil” “Califonia”“Eastern Canada”“Australia & New Zealand”可推知，在这个度假活动中可以去北美洲、南美洲和澳大利亚，故选D。]
3．How many advertisements offer holidays to Peru?
A．One. B．Two.
C．Three. D．Four.
B　[考查细节理解。通读全文可知，在ONCE­IN­A­LIFETIME PERU ADVENTURE部分和Rail Holidays of the World部分中提到了去Peru度假，故选B。]
B (2019·湘东六校联考)
It was about seven years ago.I just picked up my three­year­old daughter from the nursery.I was weighed down with shopping bags，and with my daughter's things.We arrived at a pedestrian crossing and she pressed the button.In the distance，I heard alarms，told my daughter to wait and watched a police car approaching.
Little did I know，as the green man flashed，that my daughter had begun to run into the road.I watched the police car speed toward us—that's when you sounded your horn and waved wildly to me.My daughter was about a meter from the path of the police car，hidden from their view by your car.
I screamed her name and ran toward her.She stopped and was shocked by the rush of the police car as it sped past.She wondered why you had blown your horn，asking，“Mom，why was that woman so rude？”not realizing you had saved her life.
She wondered why I picked her up and burst into tears.My legs gave way as I reached the other side of the road.I should have followed my“wait”with a hand on her shoulder，or an explanation of why we were ignoring the green man this time，especially as I had in effect conditioned her to cross the road at the sight of the green flash.
I beat myself up for months，and still do，with flashbacks and horrible assumptions about what might have been.But for your sounding your horn，seeing what I hadn't seen，I would have been left a mother on the other side of the road，totally broken.I apologize for putting you in that position—I can imagine that it upset you，too.You saved her life and I am so grateful.
【语篇解读】　本文是一篇记叙文。大约七年前，“我”的女儿过马路时没有注意到警车，幸亏一位女士按喇叭提醒，才挽救了女儿的生命。这件事让“我”至今难忘，心中充满感激。
4．What does the underlined part“the green man”in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A．A pedestrian. 　　　　 B．A policeman.
C．A traffic sign. D．A button.
C　[考查词义猜测。根据第二段第一句“Little did I know，as the green man flashed，that my daughter had begun to run into the road”并结合常识可知，此处表示看到绿灯亮之后，“我”的女儿跑到了马路上；据此可推知，画线部分指代一种交通标志，故C项正确。A项意为“一个行人”，B项意为“一个警察”，D项意为“一个按钮”，都与语境不符。]
5．Why did the woman sound her horn?
A．To stop the police car.
B．To show her impatience.
C．To greet passing pedestrians.
D．To draw the mother's attention.
D　[考查推理判断。根据第二段第二、三句“I watched the police car speed toward us—that's when you sounded your horn and waved wildly to me.My daughter was about a meter from the path of the police car，hidden from their view by your car”可知，“我”看到警车向我们疾驰而来，这时你按响了喇叭，疯狂地向“我”挥手。“我”女儿离警车的车道大约一米远，你的车挡住了他们的视线。据此可推知，那位女士按响喇叭是为了引起这位母亲的注意，提醒她注意她女儿的安全，故D项正确。]
6．What can we infer from the incident?
A．The mother didn't regret what had happened.
B．The daughter didn't follow the traffic rules.
C．The woman responded quickly and properly.
D．The police drove beyond the speed limit.
C　[考查推理判断。根据第二段的内容可知，当看到小女孩面临危险时，那位女士按响了喇叭，并疯狂地向小女孩的母亲挥手；并结合第三段第一、二句“I screamed her name and ran toward her.She stopped and was shocked by the rush of the police car as it sped past”可知，警车疾驰而过，“我”的女儿安然无恙；据此可推知，那位女士反应快速、正确，挽救了小女孩的生命，故C项正确。]
C
If you want to convince the boss you deserve a pay rise or promotion，the solution could be simple—eat the same food as they do.Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them.
During experiments，discussions over wages and work conditions were much more successful if both sides chose to snack on the same treats.And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to theirs at the time.
The reason is thought to be so­called similarity attraction theory—where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves.But this is believed to be one of the first studies highlighting the role of food in this relationship. Researchers at the University of Chicago in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food's role in earning trust.
In a test，participants were told to watch TV—where someone pretending to be a member of the public praised a certain product.The volunteers were given Kit Kat bars to nibble(小口咬)，while the TV people ate either a Kit Kat or grapes as they talked.
The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too.
The researchers added，“Although similarity in food consumption is not a sign of whether two people will get along，we find consumers treat this as such. They feel more trusting of those who consume as they do.It means people can immediately begin to feel friendship and develop a bond，leading to smoother transactions(交易) from the start.”
Harley Street psychologist Dr.Lucy Atcheson said it was already known that wearing similar clothes could instantly create trust.But this was the first report that food had the same effect.She said，“This is really interesting.It makes sense as people feel they have common ground and can trust the other person. That means negotiations are more likely to be successful.”
【语篇解读】　本文是一篇说明文。研究发现，吃相似食物的人更容易互相信任，所以，吃与经理相似食物的员工，更容易说服对方给自己加薪。这便是相似吸引理论——人们倾向于喜欢与自己品味或习惯相似的人。
7．According to the text，customers are likely to buy a product from a dealer who ．
A．reduces the price of his products
B．advertises his products on TV
C．has the same taste as them
D．pays attention to the quality of his products
C　[考查细节理解。根据第二段第二句“And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to theirs at the time”可知，购物者更有可能购买和他们吃相似食物的人广告的产品。故C项正确。]
8．The experiments conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago show that ．
A．bosses like employees that have the same taste as them
B．food plays an important role in earning people's trust
C．people who have similar tastes to their boss's earn more
D．people have less interest in buying products advertised on TV
B　[考查推理判断。根据第三段第二、三句“But this is believed to be one of the first studies highlighting the role of food in this relationship.Researchers at the University of Chicago in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food's role in earning trust”可知，美国芝加哥大学的研究是首批强调食物在人际关系中的作用的研究之一，这一研究强调食物在赢得信任方面的作用；根据第五段可知，如果电视上播放的是另一个人也在吃奇巧，那么喜欢吃奇巧的观众更有可能表现出购买该产品的兴趣。据此可以推知，食物在赢得对方信任的过程中起着很大的作用，故B项正确。]
9．What can be inferred from the text?
A．The effect of wearing similar clothes hasn't been proved by researchers.
B．People are more likely to make friends with those wearing the same clothes as them.
C．People who eat similar food are more likely to trust each other.
D．People will get along with each other if they like to eat similar things.
C　[考查推理判断。根据第一段第二句“Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them”可知，心理学家发现，如果我们选择与经理相同的菜肴，他们更有可能立刻信任我们。据此可推知，吃相似食物的人彼此更容易信任，故C项正确。]
10．Which of the following sayings can be an example of the similarity attraction theory?
A．Honesty is the best policy.
B．All good things come to an end.
C．Where there is a will，there is a way.
D．Birds of a feather flock together.
D　[考查推理判断。根据第三段第一句“The reason is thought to be so­called similarity attraction theory—where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves”可知，相似吸引理论是指人们倾向于喜欢与自己品味或习惯相似的人。D项意为“物以类聚，人以群分”，与相似吸引理论类似，故D项正确。]
第二节(共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分)
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
(2019·湖北省八校联考)For each working person，occupied with endless things to do，you can always find that more things are not part of your job，such as other colleagues asking for your help or bosses making new demands. 11 In fact，just by doing the following three steps，you can usually make yourself and the other person comfortable while refusing them.
●Listen attentively.
What you need to do is stop what you're doing，and carefully listen to what they say.Even if your time is limited，it is best for you to do so. 12 In this way，even if you eventually refuse them，they will understand that you are not available.In addition，this willing­to­help attitude is also a helping hand of leadership.
●Start with a conclusion when refusing.
There is a saying goes like“People tend to judge others by results.” 13 We all hope that other people will come to a conclusion quickly，but when we speak，we instinctively start from the beginning of the story and the other person usually does not have so much patience to hear you finish your speaking，and by the time you come to the conclusion，their attention has long gone.
If you want to refuse somebody，just tell them NO，and then explain the reasons why.
● 14
Maybe you really don't have the time to listen to the other person's request.For example，you have to get off work on time that day and the work at hand is urgent.In situations like this，don't just tell the other person that you don't have the time. 15 In addition，if you have finished listening to the other person's needs and finally choose to refuse him，you can also recommend to him a person who you feel can help him.
In a word，refusal is inevitable，but the way of refusal is optional.
A．Provide an alternative solution.
B．How can we reasonably refuse them?
C．This principle can also be applied to daily conversations.
D．It is polite to offer help without hesitation at his or her request.
E．The point is to let the other person see that you are willing to help.
F．Instead，you should give them some time when you would be available.
G．An inappropriate refusal may cause great harm to your working life.
【语篇解读】　本文是一篇说明文。主要讲述了恰当拒绝别人的方法，包括认真倾听对方的要求、以结论作为开始、为对方提供可供选择的解读方法。
11．B　[根据空处所在的位置可知，空处承上启下；由空处下文可知，通过以下三个步骤，你可以在让你和他人都感到自在的情况下拒绝他们；据此可推知，空处应是说如何有理由地拒绝他们，故B项正确。]
12．E　[根据空处上文可知，你需要做的是停止你正在做的事情，仔细听他们说，即使你的时间有限；结合常识可知，此举是让他人知道你愿意帮助他们，故E项与此处匹配。]
13．C　[根据该部分的标题“Start with a conclusion when refusing”可知，该部分主要论述“从结论开始拒绝”这一方法；根据空处下文可知，我们都希望别人很快就会说出结论，但当我们说话时，我们本能地会从故事的开始说起，他人通常没有那么多耐心听你说完，在你得出结论的时候，他们的注意力早已经不在了。据此可知，空处表示“这种原则也适用于日常谈话”，故C项正确。]
14．A　[根据文章结构以及空处所在的位置可知，该空为小标题；根据该部分中的“In addition，if you have finished listening to the other person's needs and finally choose to refuse him，you can also recommend to him a person who you feel can help him”可知，如果你已经听完了对方的需求，最后选择拒绝他时，你也可以向他推荐一个你觉得可以帮助他的人。据此可知，该部分主要论述“提供一个可替代的解决方法”，故A项正确。]
15．F　[根据空处上文“In situations like this，don't just tell the other person that you don't have the time”可知，在这种情况下，不要仅仅告诉对方你没有时间。故F项“相反，当你有空的时候，你应该给他们一些时间”符合语境，衔接上下文。]
第二部分　语言知识运用(共两节，满分45分)
第一节(共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
(2019·贵阳市监测考试)The happy new mother asked eagerly to see her baby.However，when she looked at his tiny face，she was 16 ．The baby had been born without 17 ．
Fortunately，time 18 that the baby's hearing was perfect except his ruined appearance.He grew up， 19 if there were not his misfortune.As a favorite with his classmates，he might have been class president， 20 the misfortune.He developed a talent for literature and music.His parents 21 hoped that he had a perfect life.
One day，his father spoke with the doctor，“Could 22 be done？”“I believe I could 23 a pair of outer ears 24 they could be accessible.”The doctor decided.Therefore the 25 began for a person who would make such a sacrifice.
Two years went by.One day，his father said to the son，“You're going to the 26 ，son.We have someone who will 27 the ears you need.But the identity of the donor is a secret.”
The operation was a brilliant 28 ，and a new person turned up.His talents blossomed into genius.Later，he married and entered the Diplomatic Service.One day，he asked his father.”Who gave me the ears？Who gave me so much？I could never do 29 for him or her.”“I do not believe you could，”said the father，“but the agreement was that you are not 30 ．.. not yet.”
The secret was 31 for years，but the day did come.He stood with his father beside his mother's casket(棺材)．Slowly， 32 ，the father reached out his hand and raised the thick，reddish­brown 33 to find that the mother had no outer ears.
“Mother said she was 34 she never had her hair cut.”his father whispered，“and nobody ever thought Mother less 35 ，did they？”
【语篇解读】　本文是一篇记叙文，主要讲述了一位母亲给有生理缺陷的儿子捐献外耳的感人故事。
16．A.angry 　　　　　　 B．embarrassed
C．shocked D．curious
C　[根据下文中的“Fortunately，time that the baby's hearing was perfect except his ruined appearance”可推知，这个婴儿出生时没有耳朵(ear)，初为人母的幸福的妈妈看到有缺陷的孩子时很震惊(shocked)，故选C。]
17．A.eyes B．feet
C．fingers D．ears
D　[参见上题解析。]
18．A.proved B．lasted
C．flew D．ignored
A　[根据该句中的“Fortunately”可推知，时间证明(prove)这个容貌有缺陷的婴儿听力是完好的，故选A。]
19．A.tall B．handsome
C．short D．bad­looking
B　[根据上文中的“his ruined appearance”，并结合空后的“if there were not his misfortune”可推知，孩子要不是容貌上的缺陷应该是很帅气的(handsome)，故选B。]
20．A.with B．in spite of
C．for D．but for
D　[与上文中的“if there were not his misfortune”呼应可推知，此处表示惋惜，故选D。but for“要不是”。]
21．A.still B．hardly
C．almost D．ever
A　[根据上文可知，容貌上有缺陷的孩子很有才华，也为同学们所喜欢，在文学和音乐方面很有天赋，但是他的父母还是(still)希望他有一个完美的人生，故选A。]
22．A.somebody B．everything
C．nobody D．nothing
D　[根据上文“His parents hoped that he had a perfect life”可推知，此处表示他的父亲问医生难道就没有补救方法了吗？故选D。]
23．A.operate B．destroy
C．transplant D．repair
C　[根据上文并结合语境可知，男孩的父亲询问医生有没有补救方法，医生决定给他移植(transplant)一对耳朵。与下文“The operation was a brilliant ，and a new person turned up”呼应，故选C。]
24．A.if B．while
C．although D．since
A　[根据语境可推知，此处表示如果有可用的耳朵，医生可以给男孩移植一对耳朵，故选A。]
25．A.experiment B．search
C．analysis D．operation
B　[根据语境可推知，他们开始寻找能够捐献耳朵的人，故选B。]
26．A.school B．library
C．hospital D．bedroom
C　[根据下文中的“But the identiy of the donor is a secret”可推知，耳朵捐献者找到了，父亲告诉儿子可以去医院(hospital)进行移植手术了，故选C。]
27．A.donate B．repair
C．make D．sell
A　[参见上题解析，故选A。]
28．A.failure B．success
C．honor D．damage
B　[根据空前的“brilliant”以及空后的“a new person turned up”可推知，手术非常成功。]
29．A.harm B．enough
C．bad D．good
B　[根据上文男孩问父亲的话可推知，男孩觉得自己为对方做得不够(enough)，故选B。]
30．A.signed B．realized
C．understood D．allowed
D　[根据上文中的“But the identity of the donor is a secret”可知，捐献人的身份是保密的；并结合下文内容可推知，男孩并不被允许知道是谁捐献的耳朵，故选D。]
31．A.changed B．discussed
C．spread D．kept
D　[根据该句中的“but”，并结合下文可推知，捐献者的身份多年来一直保密，但最终揭晓的这一天到来了。]
32．A.carelessly B．gently
C．excitedly D．gradually
B　[与“Slowly”呼应，并结合上文“his mother's casket(棺材)”可推知，他的父亲慢慢地、轻轻地伸出手，故选B。]
33．A.skirt B．hand
C．hair D．quilt
C　[根据空后的“find that the mother had no outer ears”，并结合下文中的“Mother said she was she never had her hait cut”可推知，男孩的父亲伸手去把男孩母亲的头发(hair)拢起来。]
34．A.depressed B．worried
C．glad D．regretful
C　[根据语境可推知，母亲乐意(glad)为儿子牺牲，甘愿不剪头发，故选C。]
35．A.beautiful B．ugly
C．respectable D．fashionable
A　[根据语境可推知，此处表示没有人说男孩的母亲不漂亮(beautiful)，故选A。]
第二节(共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分)
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
The Chinese language has become increasingly popular in the world. More British students chose to take Chinese tests than German in this year's A levels, showing a great 36.curiosity(curious) about the ancient Asian language.
This is the first time that Mandarin 37.has overtaken(overtake) German at A levels, a British public exam taken by high school students, 38.making(make) it the third most popular language in the UK.
A total of 3，334 candidates chose Mandarin 39.as their foreign language, up 8.6 percent from 2017, 40.while around 3，058 took German A­level, down 16.5 percent year on year.
French and Spanish still remain the most popular foreign languages. The German language 41.is followed(follow) by Russian and Polish.
According to the Office of Chinese Language Council International, as of 2017, some 100 million people, excluding native speakers, use Chinese 42.globally(global), while the number of Chinese teaching centers has surpassed(超过)70，000.
South Korea has a 43.larger(large) population of Chinese language learners than any other country in the world with the number estimated at around 10.6 million. Last year alone, over 170，000 people 44.signed(sign)up for Chinese language tests, like the HSK, 45.whose name is Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi in Chinese.
The United Nations in 2010 suggested a Chinese Language Day which falls on April 20th each year to celebrate cultural diversity as well as to promote the equal use of all official languages.
第三部分　写作(共两节，满分40分)
第一节　应用文写作(满分15分)
(2019·山东临沂统考)假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Michael正在一家孔子学院学习汉语和中国文化，知道中国人很重视家风传承。他在给你的电子邮件中提到想了解你家的家风以及家风对你的影响。请你给他回复一封电子邮件。
注意：
1．词数80左右；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3．信的开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。
参考词汇：家风family spirits
Dear Michael，
I'm glad to know that you are learning Chinese language and culture.






Yours，
Li Hua
【参考范文】
Dear Michael，
I'm glad to know that you are learning Chinese language and culture.As for my family spirits，there are definitely some good qualities.My parents lay emphasis on the importance of courtesy，honesty，bravery，perseverance and diligence.Moreover，they have set good examples for me.Under the profound influence of such spirits，I'm always friendly to people and ready to help others.Whenever I encounter difficulties，I always think of ways to overcome them.Owing to this，I have made great achievements in my study and life.
Hopefully this can offer you a deep understanding about Chinese family spirits.
Yours，
Li Hua
第二节　读后续写(满分25分)
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
The big Town Hall clock was striking midnight when Frank began to cross the bridge.The dark night air was cold and wet，and the street lamps gave little light.Frank was anxious to get home and his footsteps rang loudly on the silent night.
When he reached the middle of the bridge，he thought he could hear someone coming near behind him.He looked back but could see no one.However，the sound continued，and Frank began walking more quickly.Then he slowed down again，thinking there was nothing to fear in a town as quiet as this.The short，quick steps grew louder until they seemed very near.
Frank found it impossible not to turn round.As he did so，he caught sight of a human form coming towards him.After reaching the other side of the bridge，Frank stopped and pretended to look down at the water.From the corner of his eyes he could now make out the form of a man dressed in a large overcoat.A hat was pulled down over his eyes and very little of his face could be seen.
As the man came near，Frank turned towards him and said something about the weather in an effort to be friendly.The_man did not answer but asked roughly where Oakfield_House was.Frank pointed to a big house in the distance and the stranger continued his way.
Then Frank wondered why the stranger had wanted to find Oakfield House at such an hour.He knew that the person who lived there was very rich.Almost without realizing what he was doing，Frank began following the stranger quietly.
The man was soon outside the house and Frank saw him look up at the windows.A light was still on，and the man waited until it went out.When about half an hour had passed，Frank saw him climb noiselessly over the wall and heard him drop onto the ground at the other side.
注意：1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2．应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3．续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4．续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1：
Now Frank knew what the man wanted to do.____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2：
Frank couldn't just stand in the dark and wait.____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
【参考范文】
Now Frank knew what the man wanted to do.Everyone knew that Oakfield House was filled with artworks worth millions of dollars.It was clear to Frank that the family inside was in danger. Would the man have a weapon？Would I be strong enough to overpower him before he could harm the people inside？Frank's heart was racing with fear．He reached for his cell­phone to call the policeman，only to find it out of power. If only he had charged his phone before leaving the office，but it was too late to think of that now.
Frank couldn't just stand in the dark and wait.He had to do something，even if it meant risking his own life.At his feet he silently found several good sized stones，and he threw them with as much power as he could right at the windows of the house.The clatter woke up the people inside the house and a light came on upstairs.The man froze，not knowing quite what had just happened.Lights came on everywhere in the house and within a minute the night was filled with the sounds of police sirens screaming toward the Oakfield House.