江苏省七市（南通、泰州、扬州、徐州、淮安、连云港、宿迁）2023届高三下学期三模英语试卷（含答案）

江苏省七市（南通、泰州、扬州、徐州、淮安、连云港、宿迁）2023届高三下学期三模英语试卷

学校：___________姓名：___________班级：___________考号：___________

一、听力题

1、When does the conversation take place?

A. In the morning. B. At noon. C. In the evening

2、What is the man doing?

A. Teaching the woman to play golf.

B. Watching a golf game.

C. Doing some exercise.

3、What surprises the man about the cat?

A. That it can eat lots of cat food.

B. That it can lock a door with a key.

C. That it can open the kitchen door.

4、What does the woman suggest the man do?

A.Buy a box of tissues.

B.Get some rest.

C.See a doctor.

5、What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A. What to do after work.

B. Where to have dinner.

C. How to do their job well.

6、听下面一段材料，回答以下小题。

1. How does the woman feel about the gift at the beginning of the conversation?

A.Disappointed. B. Happy. C. Concerned.

2.How old is the man?

A.36.  B.46. C.60.

7、听下面一段材料，回答以下小题。

1.What does the man dislike?

A.Space.  B. Biology. C. Chemistry.

2.What does the woman like learning about most in biology?

A.Humans.  B. Animals  C.Plants.

3.What is the probable relationship between the speakers?

A. Friends

B. Family members.

C.Teacher and student.

8、听下面一段材料，回答以下小题。

1. What is the woman doing?

A. Offering some advice.

B.Conducting an interview.

C.Providing professional training.

2.How long will the man work tomorrow?

A.5 hours. B. 8 hours. C.9 hours.

3.Where does the conversation take place?

A. In a factory yard.

B. At the woman's home.

C. In an office.

9、听下面一段材料，回答以下小题。

1.What does Greg Samson do?

A. A host. B.A singer. C. A dancer.

2.What made Katy shocked about Greg Samson?

A. His new songs.

B.His excellent dancing skills.

C.His show with new elements.

3.Why does Greg Samson run for five miles before a performance?

A.To keep fit. B.To lose weight. C.To explore a new place.

4. What will Greg Samson do in the City Stadium tomorrow?

A. Throw a party.

B. Have a performance.

C. Hold a press conference.

10、听下面一段材料，回答以下小题。

1.What is the flight's destination?

A. China. B.The UK. C.Mongolia.

2. What will happen first?

A.The movies will be played.

B.The drinks will be served.

C. The safety procedures will be shown.

3.Who is the speaker?

A.A tour guide. B.A passenger. C. A flight attendant.

二、阅读理解

Four of the best off-grid(不入网的) stays in the UK Shepherds' Retreat Granite peaks, vivid green fields and speeding clouds are your only neighbours at this remote cottage in the Sperrins. Glass doors open straight on to this landscape, and though there's no phone reception or wifi, there's a TV with DVDs, and plenty of books to enjoy by the fire. There are stone circles and mountain bike trails(小路)nearby.

Laggan Cottage

On the Ardnish peninsula(半岛)and accessible only by boat — or a three-hour hike this comfortable off-grid pad is seriously isolated (偏僻的). There's zero mobile signal and no TV.Paraffin lamps, wood-burning stoves for hot water and a Calor gas cooker are the only modern conveniences you get. It is perfect for a week of watching the wildlife, hiking, and swimming.

The Straw Cottage

Candles and lanterns, gas lamps and solar lights create atmosphere at this straw-bale cottage, constructed using centuries-old methods. With no electricity or wifi, this home set on Ty Gwyn Farm offers true escapism. Young explorers can build dens, play in the stream, follow a treasure hunt and toast marshmallows by the fire. Dogs are welcome, too.

East Lodge

Other than the lack of wifi, East Lodge is a perfectly contemporary cottage. Arch windows accompany modern conveniences including a TV and DVDs for movie nights, though you may prefer to switch off and focus on outdoor fun, biking on nature trails and watching the wildlife.

11、What might attract travelers to the four holiday destinations?

A.Stylish decoration.  B.Convenient location.

C.Back-to-nature stays. D.Modern conveniences.

12、What can visitors do in Laggan Cottage and East Lodge?

A. Play games.  B.Swim in the sea.

C. Read by the fire.  D. Watch the wildlife.

13、Which cottage is pet-friendly?

A. Shepherds’ Retreat. B.Laggan Cottage.

C. The Straw Cottage. D.East Lodge

Ken Campbell had last attempted running at high school. When his wife, Susan, injured her foot, she needed support to rejoin her running group, so Campbell went along to keep her company and share in the recovery. "We were just walking at the beginning," he says. "And I was heavy. I weighed over 90kg."But as the weeks and months passed, the weight fell away, Susan recovered—and Campbell's abilities grew. At the age of 63, he ran 50km, and at 70, he ran through the night to complete a 100km ultramarathon.

So how does someone with no sporting precedent(先例) become an ultradistance runner in his 60s and 70s? Susan had run marathons before her injury. But for Campbell, the turning point came when Susan's Fleet Feet running group took to the trails in the Sierra Nevada foothills near their home in Citrus Heights, California.

Campbell went out to visit Susan's group, and “the trails were a terrible mess. It had been raining. And I was running in my road shoes. Slipping and sliding and falling. And I was struggling. I thought, well, I like this a lot but I could do better.”

What he liked above all was the feeling of “being enveloped by the trail, being embraced by the closeness of the vegetation and the nearness of the river. I was walking where Native people had walked for thousands of years and where miners had walked on their way to gold.”

Running the 100km ultramarathon took Campbell 16 hours. When Campbell crossed the finish line at 3am, Susan handed him a 100km sticker to display on the back of his truck. He already had a 50km one on there. "It is a public proclamation (声明)that you are part of this community, " he says. "Wherever we park, I see a line of vehicles with their various stickers and I feel that we are a tribe(部落). "

Campbell suffered arthritis before he started running, and is "a candidate for knee replacement". But for now, he is holding off on surgery. It could put an end to the running — but the "sense of wellbeing and accomplishment will carry me on forever", he says. "If I can't run, I will walk."

14、What enabled Campbell to take up running again?

A. He lost weight  B.He trained overnight.

C.His wife accompanied him. D.His wife shared her experience.

15、What did Campbell discover while keeping his wife company on a trail run?

A. The joy of being out in the wild. B.The hardships of Native people.

C. The pleasure of gold mining. D. The mysteries of nature.

16、What did the stickers on the back of Campbell's truck bring him?

A.A discount on parking. B.A sense of belonging.

C. An enormous income. D. An honour to his wife.

17、What can we learn about Campbell from the text?

A. He's a determined man. B. He's a people-pleaser

C. He is easy to content. D. He is hard to cope with.

The streets of Cotonou, Benin's largest city, have been Domingo Soule's workplace for 35 years. The 50-year-old motorcycle taxi driver spends his days driving for miles on roads blanketed in exhaust fumes (尾气), picking up customers and taking them to where they want to go. But Soule has developed a cough from breathing in air pollution, he believes, and at the end of each day his eyes hurt.

Things may be about to change, however. In recent months, he's seen more and more electric motorbikes on the streets of Cotonou. The Indian manufacturer (制造商) M Auto introduced its electric bikes in Benin in July 2022 and there are already 2,000 on the roads; an additional 2,000 people have paid deposits(定金)and are waiting for delivery.

Shegun Bakari, M Auto's chief executive, has ambitions to get all moto-taxi drivers in Benin to switch to electric. This month he plans to launch a campaign to encourage them to swap (交换) their old bikes for new electric models.

The only sticking point is the battery. M Auto's business model relies on “swap stations” throughout the city. When the battery runs out after about 60 miles, drivers must visit a station and pay to exchange the empty battery for a full one. Concerns about the battery are also preventing Soule from buying an electric bike. It could cost him 4,000CFA (&5.40) a day to replace batteries, Soule says, whereas at the moment he can buy five litres of petrol (enough for one day) for 3,000CFA.

Bakari understands his concerns. In Benin, close to 40% of the population live under the poverty line, carning less than US$2 a day. “If I'm living with $2 a day, I can't afford to pay more just because I want to save the planet,” he says.

He and his team are working to persuade governments in Africa to reduce taxes on electric vehicles, as well as putting plans in place to produce the electric bikes in Benin. They are also in talks with the government to build a solar plant to provide the extra energy that will be needed.

18、What does the author want to show by telling Soule's story?

A. Air pollution becomes a health issue.

B.Road conditions badly need improving.

C.Taxi drivers find it hard to make a living.

D.Motorbikes are a major means of transport.

19、What is the solution to the problem caused by motorbikes?

A. Riding old bikes.  B.Building more roads.

C. Banning them on road. D.Moving to electric bikes.

20、What is the major concern of a potential electric bike user?

A.Short battery life.  B. Battery safety.

C.Insufficient charging points. D. High battery replacement cost.

21、What are Bakari and his team making efforts to do?

A. Create more job opportunities. B.Make electric bikes affordable.

C. Cut back on fuel supplies. D.Improve taxi drivers' welfare.

Baby seabirds that have not yet hatched communicate with their siblings (兄弟姐妹) in neighbouring eggs by vibrating (震动) their shells, scientists have discovered.

A study of yellow-legged gulls revealed one of the known examples of embryonic(胚胎期的)communication. When exposed to the alarm calls of an adult bird responding to a predator(捕食者),developing chicks apparently were able to convey the presence of danger to their nestmates by vibrating inside their eggs.

The team collected 90 yellow-legged gull eggs from Salvora Island and sorted them into nests of three. When the eggs were six days off hatching, two of the three eggs in each nest were temporarily removed from the nest and exposed to either a recording of a predator alarm call or white noise each day until the chicks hatched. The noise was delivered four times a day at random for three minutes at a time. The third egg from each group remained in the nest.

It was found that the embryos responded to the external alarm calls by vibrating more and vocalising (发声)less — and that this information appeared to be passed on to the third nestmate. It was seen to copy the vibrations. It also underwent genetic changes and had an increase in the production of stress hormones (荷尔蒙).

“This kind of communication—embryo to embryo—can generate developmental changes that can have potential benefits to the birds after hatching,” said Noguera, the lead author of the study.

A rise in stress hormones makes birds more aware of their surroundings after hatching. When hatched chicks were exposed to alarm sounds, it was found that those who had listened to the noises previously in the egg were quicker to run away and hide.

Noguera said the phenomenon was likely to occur in other bird species. His team now plans to investigate whether the chicks are able to pick up other clues about their external environment before hatching, such as how many other eggs are in the nest.

22、What do the unhatched birds mean to do by vibrating shells?

A. Fight with a predator. B. Warn others of danger.

C. Play with their nestmates. D. Seek care from adult birds.

23、What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A.The findings of the experiment.

B.The process of the experiment.

C. The subjects of the experiment.

D.The theoretical base of the experiment.

24、What's the benefit of developing chicks' sharing information?

A. It makes them mature earlier.

B. It allows them to develop physically.

C. It strengthens bonds with their siblings.

D. It helps them adapt to life after hatching.

25、What does Noguera mainly talk about concerning the research in the last paragraph?

A.Its appeal to the public. B. Its practical application.

C. Expectations for future studies. D.Scientists with new perspectives.

三、七选五

26、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。

The best feeling about going back to school is seeing all your friends. You get the chance to tell each other your holiday experiences. ①______You have to start from scratch (从头开始).Here are tips that will work for you.

●Do not be scared.

It is not unhealthy to be scared on your first day of school. Remember that each student has gone through the same process. ②______Your new school can have the best team and the competitive drama program. Try and focus on things that make you want to go to that school. You will not have any reason to be scared.

● Know your surroundings.

It is good to be familiar with the new environment. ③______It will help you take less time to go to your lesson and settle down before the teacher arrives. Knowing the surroundings will give you confidence because you will not have to ask around. It will make you feel better and ready for anything that comes your way.

●④______

Do not try to change the person you are because of the new environment. Many people have gone through that road. Do not do that just to fit into a group of students. In the end, it will not be worth it. It is for people to love you the way you are. You are perfect the way you are. You have no single reason for changing yourself.

●Connect with people.

The worst part about moving to a new school is making friends. There is a possibility you know some students from your new school. You can try and connect with the people you know first. They will introduce you to other people, and that is how you will make friends. ⑤______ Go to the people you know and hang out.

A. Be yourself.

B. Do not be alone.

C. Please the other kids.

D.Going to a new school can be pretty challenging.

E.Try to look at the positive side of joining a new school.

F.It is advisable to know where the different rooms are located.

G.Often the scariest part of change is not knowing what it looks like.

四、完形填空（15空）

The suburb I live in backs on to a large nature reserve. One morning I saw a koala (考拉) sitting in a palm tree in my front yard. I phoned around to ask what I could   1   this koala, but no one wanted to know. I ended up   2   the koala out of my tree and we crossed the road   3   for him to return to the nature reserve.

I've always been befriending animals. As a young kid I used to pick up lizard eggs and   4   them. It stimulated my interest as to why there wasn't anyone wanting to come and   5   this koala in my tree. After that, I signed up for all the   6  I could find.

Once I had accreditation (合格证), I volunteered with the RSPCA in 2014, rehabilitating (使康复) wildlife. I was an ambulance driver,   7   overnight rescues.

We rescued hundreds of animals and   8   more. One day, I thought why not   9    my own rescue group focusing on my backyard? I purchased a two-acre property and built enclosures on it to.   10  injured animals. Last year, I planted 300 eucalyptus trees(桉树), with seven varieties to   11   the koalas.

I cut the leaves of the eucalyptus trees for the koalas to eat and look after the 12 wildlife at our centre. If they recover, they are   13   back to where they come from.

As a kid I would never have imagined doing this. I feel like I'm the   14   girl on the planet that I get to do what I love. I believe it's my   15  .

27、A.learn from  B.do about  C. require of  D. save for

28、A.kicking  B.shooting  C. coaching  D. blowing

29、A.together  B.illegally  C. angrily  D. guiltily

30、A.roll  B.sell  C. break  D.hatch

31、A.rescue  B.admire  C. purchase  D.identify

32、A.courses  B.races  C. fairs  D. shows

33、A.watching  B.attending  C. recording  D.assessing

34、A.made out  B.ran across  C. gave up  D. cared for

35、A.leave  B.start  C. dismiss  D. advertise

36、A.house  B.hunt  C. train  D.amuse

37、A.confuse  B. direct  C.feed  D. test

38、A.aggressive  B. hungry  C. deserted  D. injured

39、A.sold  B. released  C. thrown  D.dragged

40、A.quietest  B.greediest  C. noisiest  D. luckiest

41、A.guess  B.calling  C.treat  D.fault

五、短文填空

42、阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

China is known as the home of tea. It is said that Shennong discovered tea around 2700 B.C. At first, tea leaves ①______ (chew). During the Tang dynasty, ②______ (advance) were made in the processing of tea. The leaves were steamed, oxidized(氧化), and pounded into cake form. This made tea easier ③______ (transport) and more pleasing to the tongue.

The earliest batch (批次)of tea is often ready to be picked before Qingming. This precious small output of tea, widely ④______ (seek) after for its outstanding quality, is called Mingqian tea. The seasonal tea is known ⑤______ its tender leaves and fresh flavor. They have ⑥______ better flavor than the later batches which can be grown overnight.

East China's Zhejiang province is acknowledged as a major producer of tea. In spring, local hillsides ⑦______ (fill) with tea workers sowing seeds on their land. In the peak seasons, many tourists flood to witness the beautiful scenery of tea farms for ⑧______ (they), while enjoying a cup of tea.

There are many ways you can experience tea culture in China. You can visit a tea plantation in Hangzhou or elsewhere to learn ⑨______ tea is grown and harvested. You can sit inside a ⑩______ (tradition) tea house and take in the classical atmosphere as you drink tea.

六、书面表达

43、学校英文报正在开展以Protecting our eyes to enjoy a bright world为题的讨论。请 使用图表中的调查结果写一篇短文投稿，内容包括：

1.学生近视率状况描述；

2.简单评论；

3.你的建议。

注意：

1.词数80左右；

2.短文题目和首句已为你写好，不计入总词数。

Protecting our eyes to enjoy a bright world

The health of children’s vision is facing a growing threat.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

七、读后续写

44、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。

It was Christmas Eve morning, and I awoke with a mission: to find my lost cat, Baby-Girl. As I got ready, I could hear icy rain pelting the windows. Baby-Girl was out there somewhere in the storm; I could just feel it. Sure, it had been a couple of weeks since she'd gone missing, but I still had faith. This was the season for miracles, after all.

About two weeks ago, my sweet kitty disappeared from my parents' house in my hometown. Baby-Girl had been staying with them while I was between apartments. At the time, I lived and worked in another city. I was staying with friends until I rented my own house. Baby-Girl had gotten out of my parents' house the day before I was set to drive back home to pick her up.

My dad and I had spent that entire visit searching for her. Dad was a "realist", which meant he spent a whole lot of time trying to prepare me for the worst. "She's either been hit by a car or been taken in by someone who found her," he said. I rolled my eyes. He could do with a little more faith!

Besides, though I couldn't explain it, I knew I'd see Baby-Girl again. She could survive all on her own. If any cat could do the impossible, it was my Baby-Girl. Even after I returned to my house without her, deep down I had this undeniable feeling that we would be reunited one day.

Now, home again for the holidays, I was determined to pick up my search right where I'd left off. I grabbed Baby-Girl's cat carrier and loaded it into the car, then asked my dad to drive me to the shelter.

At the shelter, a staff member took us to see the cats. We walked through rows of cages. My eyes scanned cats of all colors and sizes. None of them was my Baby-Girl. Then I noticed a room farther back. I pushed ahead. "Sweetheart, that's where they keep the cats that just came in," Dad said. "Your cat wouldn't be in there."

注意：

1.续写词数应为150左右；

2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

I insisted it didn't hurt to look and stepped into the room.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sensing their doubts, I was ready to prove she was my cat.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

参考答案

1、答案：A

解析：M: It’s amazing how eggs can be made into lots of different meals. You can fry them for lunch, boil them for dinner, and you can even make cakes with them.

W: But do you really want an egg again this morning?

M: Yes, eggs with toast, please.

2、答案：A

解析：M: Watch how I use the power from my shoulders as I hit the golf ball.

W: Every time I try to hit the ball, I either miss the ball or hit it on its side.

M: Keep your eye on the ball and let your body do the rest.

3、答案：C

解析：W: That cat is so smart. He can open doors.

M: With a key?

W: I’m not sure. Every day, when I go to work, I close the kitchen door. But when I come home it’s open with cat food all over the floor!

M: Wow, that’s amazing.

4、答案：B

解析：M: I still keep coughing and I’ve already used up a large box of tissues. I just bought it this morning.

W: Oh, I hate runny noses. You need to take a rest instead of working. What did the doctor say?

M: Take some pills.

5、答案：A

解析：W: We’ve only got an hour before we finish work, and I’m wondering whether you want to play basketball afterwards.

M: Yeah, sure. I remember you beat me last time! We can get a meal at that Spanish restaurant before that.

W: Good idea, I’m really hungry.

6、答案：1-2 AB

解析：W: Thanks for the birthday present, but why did you get me this book? I thought you might send me a phone.

M: I thought you’d be happy with it. The lady in the shop said it was their best-selling product. It talks about how to care for yourself, make good friends and plan for a better future.

W: Yes, I am delighted to get the gift, but I’m only 16! Are you saying I need to think about my future since now?

M: Yes. It will be good to think about it early. When I was at your age 30 years ago, I began to think about what I want to do after I graduated from high school.

W: Well, but I still think it’s too early for me.

7、答案：1-3 CCA

解析：M: What are you going to study at university?

W: Well, I want to work in science in some way. My aunt is a chemist and I’m quite interested in that. So maybe I’ll choose a course in chemistry. I also like biology.

M: Oh, I hate chemistry. What is it about biology that you like? Something about human body? Or something about animals?

W: Actually no. My main passion is anything that has a lot to do with plants.

M: They come in all sorts of varieties and sizes. I don’t know much about them, but I can see the appeal.

W: Thinking about it, I’m also keen to learn about space. Oh, I’m nervous about going now! It’s my turn to talk to the teacher. But, whatever I choose, you’ll still be here to support me, won’t you?

M: Yeah. We’ve known each other for two years, and I’ll always be here for you!

8、答案：1-3 BBC

解析：W: Thank you for coming today. Please close the door and take a seat.

M: Thank you for inviting me.

W: We are a small, family-run factory. We’re looking for someone who can guard the factory and its outside yard overnight. The factory itself shuts down at 9:00 p.m. every evening, then reopens at 5:00 a.m. in the morning. It is between these times that your shift would last.

M: No problem. I’ve had many jobs at night in airports, shopping malls and other factories. Will I be required to operate any of the machines?

W: No, your job will be to keep watching over things and prevent any theft or break-ins (入室偷窃) that may occur. Now, it says in your references that you have experience in using security cameras?

M: Yes, and I have been professionally trained for looking after people’s property. I have been doing this for over 20 years, so you can expect the very best.

W: That’s very encouraging to hear. I must say, you are more than qualified. If I were to offer you the job, when would you be free to start?

M: Tomorrow!

W: Great! Congratulations on getting the job!

9、答案：1-4 BCAB

解析：W: Greg Samson, thank you for joining us in the studio today.

M: Great to be here, Katy.

W: Greg, first let me say how much I enjoy your music. I’ve always been a great fan. M: Thank you.

W: I must say, however, that I saw the first show of your current tour (巡演) last month and it wasn’t what I expected at all.

M: Did you enjoy it, though?

W: I did, very much. But I’ve never expected to see ballet dancers and magicians at a Greg Samson show.

M: Well, I like to keep the audience interested.

W: You certainly did that. I was on the edge of my seat.

M: Ha-ha. I consider that a success.

W: It shocked me that you put a lot of energy into your shows. What will you do to prepare for such a demanding performance?

M: Well, Katy, as soon as I arrive at the town or city where we’re performing, I immediately go out for a five-mile run. Physical fitness is so important for a show like this.

W: Have you ever got spotted by fans?

M: I haven’t been so far, though that may change after this interview.

W: Well, thanks very much for your time, Greg. And just to remind our audience, Greg will bring his “Rolling On” tour to the City Stadium tomorrow evening.

10、答案：1-3 BCC

解析：

Hello, and welcome aboard flight FX223. We’ll soon be departing Beijing, heading westward over northern China, Mongolia, and then Europe. We’ll have the wind behind us for most of the journey which should speed things up, with the estimated time of arrival in London at 8:23 a.m. local time. That means the journey will be around eleven hours in total.

There are lots of entertainment packages (套餐) for you on board the aircraft today, which should make your stay with us a bit more comfortable. We have a number of movies to choose from, and plenty of video games to keep the children happy.

As soon as we’ve reached the height of 35,000 feet, our hard-working crew will come around with all varieties of drinks and snacks for you to choose. Then, they will later serve the first meal, which I can tell you from personal experience, is equal to the standard of a first-class restaurant!

Before all that, please pay attention to the safety procedures that our crew are about to demonstrate. That just leaves me to say thank you for choosing Continental Airlines. I hope you have a pleasant journey with us today.

11、答案：C

12、答案：D

13、答案：C

14、答案：A

15、答案：A

16、答案：B

17、答案：A

18、答案：A

19、答案：D

20、答案：D

21、答案：B

22、答案：B

23、答案：B

24、答案：D

25、答案：C

26、答案：①-⑤ DEFAB

27、答案：B

28、答案：C

29、答案：A

30、答案：D

31、答案：A

32、答案：A

33、答案：B

34、答案：D

35、答案：B

36、答案：A

37、答案：C

38、答案：D

39、答案：B

40、答案：D

41、答案：B

42、答案：were chewed；advances；to transport；sought；for；a；are filled ；themselves；how；Traditional

43、答案：Protecting our eyes to enjoy a bright world

The health of children’s vision is facing a growing threat. Data show that 14.3 percent of pre-school kids are nearsighted. The rate is 35.6 percent for primary school students, 71.1 percent for junior high school pupils and 80.5 percent for senior high school students.

The age for the beginning of shortsightedness is getting younger. Meanwhile, there is the rapid progression of shortsightedness during the middle school.

To tackle the growing problem, schools should reduce the academic burden of students and increase the time of outdoor activities. What’s more, we should attach importance to our visual health and control the time spent on electronic devices.

44、答案：I insisted it didn’t hurt to look and stepped into the room. Suddenly, there came a familiar meow. I followed the sound and my eyes fell on a little cat with big green eyes. She was skinnier than I remembered, but it was Baby-Girl! My eyes welled up with tears. I opened the cage door. Baby-Girl practically jumped into my arms. I held her close as Dad looked on. "There’s just no way..., " he mumbled. The shelter staff were skeptical too, saying the cat had just been brought in during the morning storm.

Sensing their doubts, I was ready to prove she was my cat. I grabbed the carrier. I’d trained Baby-Girl to walk inside the carrier. Sure enough, when she was let down, she made a dash for the carrier and rushed right inside. I was overjoyed to have her back. It was a miracle that she had managed to survive on her own for so long, and I was filled with admiration for her strength and determination. I thanked my lucky stars that I had never given up hope, and that I had come back to the shelter one last time.