安庆七中2024-2025高二下学期3月段考
英语试题
本试卷满分150分，考试时间120分钟。
第一部分 听力(共两节，满分30分)
第一节(共5小题;每小题1.5分，满分7.5分)
听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。
1．Where does the man want to go
A．To the police station. B．To the supermarket. C．To the town hall.
2．What does the woman’s mother do to learn Chinese
A．She takes an online course. B．She watches Chinese movies. C．She attends a language school.
3．What will the speakers do first after lunch
A．Go hiking. B．Draw. C．Watch a film.
4．How long do the speakers plan to stay in Barcelona
A．5 days. B．7 days. C．3 days.
5．Where are the speakers probably
A．At home. B．In a restaurant. C．In a supermarket.
第二节(共15小题;每小题1.5分，满分22.5分)
听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各小题，每小题5秒钟;听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。
听第6段材料，回答第6至7题。
6．What does the woman say about zoos
A．They are educational. B．They are expensive to visit. C．They are cruel to animals.
7．Why does the man think zoos do a good job
A．They offer enjoyment to visitors.
B．They protect animals from being extinct.
C．They make it easy for people to see animals.
听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。
8．What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A．Coach and player. B．Doctor and patient. C．Receptionist and customer.
9．What does the woman ask the man about
A．Types of exercise. B．The community center. C．Ways of keeping healthy.
10．What does the man suggest the woman do
A．Go swimming. B．Examine her knees. C．Make a schedule.
听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。
11．Why didn’t the woman go to the party yesterday
A．She didn’t plan to. B．She looked after her mother. C．She was ill.
12．How long did the party last
A．About 2 hours. B．About 2.5 hours. C．About 4.5 hours.
13．What impressed the man most in the party
A．The food and music. B．The performance of a teacher. C．The organization work of labor.
听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。
14．What is the woman doing
A．Complaining about campus food.
B．Seeking comments on campus food.
C．Pushing for changes in campus food.
15．How often does the man eat in the cafeteria
A．Once a week. B．Twice a week. C．Nearly every day.
16．What does the man think of the campus food
A．Acceptable. B．Excellent. C．Unsatisfactory.
17．What is the man unhappy with
A．The vegetable. B．The closing time. C．The soup.
听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。
18．Why did Clara go to her uncle’s farm
A．To take a break. B．To do research. C．To learn about nature.
19．What challenge did Clara face in the beginning
A．Looking after animals. B．Waking up early. C．Working in hot weather.
20．What does Clara think of her experience on the farm
A．It’s disappointing. B．It’s relaxing. C．It’s worthwhile.
第二部分 阅读(共两节，满分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和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
Barcelona in Spain has a long history and a modern culture. Barcelona has something for everyone.
Delight in tasty foods
Enjoy the delicious food in Barcelona! If you want to try the best seafood, cheese made by hand and lots of little dishes called tapas, go to the busy Boqueria Market. You can also taste a creamy treat called Crema Catalan a and the super tasty paella. Try fideuà, a special noodle treat from Catalonia. Every bite takes you on a fun food journey through the colorful tastes of Barcelona.
Experience the local culture
Barcelona is rich in culture. The city has lots of festivals throughout the year, like La Mercè Festival in September, where you can see human towers (castellers) and parades (游行) with giant figures. You can also visit museums like the Picasso Museum Barcelona to see early works of the famous artist. And if you’re a football fan, a visit to Camp Nou is a must.
Get around easily with local transportation
Barcelona’s well-designed transportation makes getting about the city simple. Discounted bus, tram (有轨电车), and subway rides are offered. Go for long walks in the neighborhoods of the city. Wander (闲逛) down the busy La Rambla, relax at Barceloneta Beach or walk through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter to feel the lively environment.
Enjoy the architectural wonders
Barcelona has some really cool buildings, and Antoni Gaudí is a super famous architect there. The Sagrada Família is his most famous work, and it looks super fancy on the outside. It shows how amazing Gaudí was. You should also check out his another work, Park Güell, which has lots of colorful mosaics (马赛克) and green plants that make it feel like a magical place. And don’t miss Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and the Palau de la Música Catalana — they’re all really impressive!
1. Which of the following is a special noodle dish
A. Tapas. B. Crema Catalana. C. Paella. D. Fideuà.
2. How are visitors advised to explore the neighborhoods of Barcelona
A. On foot. B. By subway. C. By tram. D. By bus.
3. What is special about Park Güell
A. It is well-known for a magical story.
B. It mixes rich colors with green plants.
C. It is a must-visit place for football fans.
D It stands out when seen from the outside.
B
When Wilson was 10 years old, he promised his mother that one day she would never again have to wash other people’s clothes for a living and he was going to start his own business and support her. His mother just nodded silently, knowing no member of their family had ever owned a business.
Years passed, but Wilson’s dream did not. After high school, Wilson joined the army, where his goal of one day owning a family restaurant began to take shape. He signed up for the food service school there and he became such an excellent cook that he was promoted to the officers’ dining hall.
After he left the army at 28, he worked as a police officer for the following fifteen years. When he felt he was in need of the business skills for his business, he took business classes at night in his off-hours. “I also saved every cent I earned as a police officer,” he recalled. “For ten years, I didn’t spend one cent — there were no movies, no vacations, and no trips.”
By 2013, with enough savings, Wilson decided to make his dream a reality. He opened his first restaurant. However, the first few months were a failure. Wilson quickly change his business strategy and once a week he offered his employees (雇员) classes in customer service and management. He encouraged them to develop personal and professional goals. He always stressed that the faster and more efficiently the employees served the customers, the more profitable that way would be.
Today, Wilson owns nine restaurants and employs over four hundred people. In the community, Wilson funded athletic teams and scholarships (奖学金) to get kids off the streets and into community centers and schools. Then his restaurants became profitable, earning much more than before. More importantly, Wilson paved the way for thousands of ordinary young people who are working to make their dreams a reality, helping their communities, and serving up hope.
4. Why did Wilson want to start his own business at first
A. To become a great cook. B. To help his mother economically.
C. To cheer his mother up. D. To set an example for his family.
5. What did Wilson focus on besides his major work in his 30s
A. Plans for realizing his dream. B. Setting up business schools.
C. Preparations for enjoying life. D. Working as a police officer.
6. How did Wilson improve his restaurant after it failed
A. By increasing the number of his employees.
B. By cutting down the profits of his restaurant.
C. By offering his workers professional training.
D. By meeting customers’ needs as much as possible.
7. Which of the following can best describe Wilson
A. Easy-going and honest. B. Self-centered and curious.
C. Warm-hearted and wise. D. Strong-willed and helpful.
C
February 9, Sunday of 2025, was not a holiday in the US, but it might seem like one to Americans. Many were attending parties to watch Super Bowl LIX of this year. The Super Bowl is the championship game of professional American football held by the National Football League (联赛), or NFL, which has 32 teams mainly based in large cities across the US.
The first professional league was formed in 1920,when players of four teams met in Canton, Ohio. The group first called itself the American Professional Football Association but changed the name two years later to the National Football League.
In 1960, a Texas businessman pushed the effort to create the American Football League, or AFL. The two leagues competed with each other to sign top football players from universities around the country.
In 1965, established NFL players began negotiating (谈判) to play for the competing league, AFL. So, officials of the two leagues decided to work together. This agreement established a championship game between the two leagues. It was officially called the AFLNFL World Championship Game but became known as the Super Bowl.
The first Super Bowl was played in 1967 in Los Angeles, California. The Green Bay Packers defeated (战胜) the Kansas City Chiefs. It was far from an exciting game. Many of the seats in the sports center were vacant. That changed with the Super Bowl played two years later. Experts say the public finally accepted the new league when the New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts.
After that game in 1969, officials of the two leagues decided to create a new National Football League. They divided the teams into two competing conferences (体育协会), the American Conference, or AFC, and the National Conference, NFC. Each year, the conference champions play in the Super Bowl.
Today, the Super Bowl is a major sporting event, attracting tens of thousands of people around the globe.
8. Why was February 9, Sunday of 2025 important for many Americans
A. It was a national holiday.
B. It was the day of the Super Bowl.
C. It marked the start of the NFL season.
D. It was the date of the NFL’s founding.
9. What led to the creation of the Super Bowl
A. The competition between NFL and AFL for top players.
B. The wish for making new rules for championship game.
C. The need to attract fans to professional football games.
D. The decision to join the NFL and AFL into one league.
10. What does the underlined word “vacant” in paragraph 5 mean
A. Taken. B. Booked. C. Empty. D. Adaptable.
11. What can be the best title for the text
A. How the Super Bowl Became a Big Deal
B. The Rise of Professional Football in the US
C. How the NFL and AFL Changed Sports Forever
D. The Development of American Football Leagues
D
Scientists working in southwest England have found the earliest fossilized (变成化石的) forest known on the Earth, according to a new study. Dating back 390 million years, the fossils break the record held by a forest in New York state by 4million years.
The fossilized trees, known as Calamophyton, look fairly similar to palm trees but had thin bodies. They didn’t have any leaves, but had twig-like (嫩枝样的) structures covering their branches (树枝). They would reach up to 2-4 meters tall and drop branches as they grew. The forest dates from 419 million to 358 million years ago, when life was moving onto land. The trees would have trapped sediment (沉积物) in their root systems, which helped hold riverbanks and coastlines in place.
The findings also uncovered the speed at which early forests developed. While the fossils in England are from a forest with just one type of tree, the previous oldest forest in New York state had more variety of species, such as vine-like trees that grew on the ground, despite living just 4 million years later. “Almost overnight, geologically speaking, you’ve got a lot more variety,” the first author Neil Davies said.
The trees also provided a habitat for invertebrates (无脊椎动物) thanks to the twigs that would drop on the ground. The team found evidence of footprints and tail drags left by these early animals, while scientists don’t know exactly what they were for a shortage of physical remains.
“The most exciting discovery comes from seeing, for the first time, these trees in the positions where they grew,” study co-author Christopher Berry said. “It is our first opportunity to look directly at the ecology of this earliest type of forest, to know the environment in which Calamophyton trees were growing, and to find out their effect on the sedimentary system.”
12. What do we know about Calamophyton
A. They appeared four million years ago.
B. They moved onto land from the ocean.
C. They made up the oldest forests on our planet.
D. They formed the oldest fossilized forest known to us.
13. What does Neil Davies want to tell us
A. The early forests developed at a rapid rate.
B. The forest in New York had a slow growth process.
C. The former discovered forest has one type of tree.
D. Four million years is a short time in geological history.
14. How did the invertebrates live in the Calamophyton forest
A. They lived on the trees.
B. They lived on the forest floor.
C. They fed on the twigs of the trees.
D. They pulled their tails looking for food.
15. What does Christopher Berry think of the discovery of the Calamophyton
A. Effortless. B. Incomplete. C. Meaningful. D. Unclear.
第二节(共5小题;每小题2.5分，满分12.5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。
In a global world, employers often look for candidates with international experience, such as studies abroad or volunteer programs. ___16___
1. Studying abroad helps you step out of your comfort zone.
If you’ve decided to live a new experience in a new environment, this shows your willingness to learn and adapt to new environments. Stepping out of your normality and out of your comfort zone allows you to expand your skills and learn more about yourself as a person. ___17___
2. Studying in another country improves your communication skills.
If you’re studying a new language abroad, you’ll be improving your communication skills in that language at least! ___18___ Finding new ways of doing things can help you improve your verbal and negotiation skills.
3. Planning your study trip abroad contributes to your project management skills.
___19___ From even the little things such as getting a new SIM card, to the bigger things such as applying for a visa, everything takes investigation, organization, and implementation — skills which you can easily apply to your professional life!
4. ___20___
Studying or working in a new country is an enlightening experience which can open your eyes to new cultures, languages, and a new way of life. These experiences will give you the ability to see things from multiple points of view and consider things with a more global viewpoint. Employers value those who can make decisions based on multiple points of view.
A. Experiencing new cultures opens your mind.
B. Meeting new people in a new country gives you a chance to network.
C. It also gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself and grow.
D. We’re here to explain how studying abroad can help your career.
E. The organization around studying abroad is actually pretty extensive.
F. Here are some ways to step out of your comfort zone and into greatness.
G. When faced with a language barrier, you’ll learn new skills to communicate with someone who doesn’t understand you.
第三部分 语言运用(共两节，满分30分)
第一节 完形填空(共15小题;每小题1分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12th, 1820 and her journey to greatness started.
Bom into privilege (特权) in the early 19th century, she was a(n) ___21___ who spoke multiple languages and ___22___ the concepts of statistical analysis that are still used today. She had the kind of brain that comes once in a generation. Her parents were ___23___ too. They were super-wealthy, super-connected, and actually cared for the education of their two daughters.
___24___ her unparalleled (无与伦比的) education that would make anyone’s ___25___ spin, Florence mastered ___26___ languages like Latin, Italian, Greek, German, and French. She even memorized the works of philosophy and would often ___27___ with her father.
On February 5th, 1837, the teenage Florence ___28___ that God had commanded her to end ___29___ in this world and this is why she joined nursing.
Nightingale ____30____ herself to improving healthcare during the Crimean War. The result was a huge ____31____ in the death rates. Her analysis helped ____32____ the public health policies in England. She was a feminist (女权主义者) in the time when women dared not speak. She fought for ____33____ rights for women.
Her work and life ____34____ the power of a single determined individual who is set on bringing a positive change to society. Her life ____35____ an inspiration for everyone who is seeking to bring a difference.
21. A. inventor B. patient C. fool D. genius
22. A. replaced B. pioneered C. commented D. doubted
23. A. different B. practical C. strict D. professional
24. A. Rather than B. Instead of C. Far from D. Apart from
25 A. mouth B. head C. shoulder D. knee
26. A. multiple B. similar C. complex D. same
27. A. fight B. quarrel C. debate D. travel
28. A. achieved B. persuaded C. regretted D. declared
29 A. suffering B. success C. growth D. crime
30. A. convinced B. dedicated C. escaped D. reminded
31. A. struggle B. increase C. reduction D. delay
32. A. shape B. announce C. ban D. stop
33. A. private B. unique C. equal D. illegal
34. A. deny B. transform C. represent D. lose
35. A. believes in B. serves as C. depends on D. takes off
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。
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center ___36___ (announce) on Thursday that Tianzhou 8, China’s newest cargo craft (货运飞船) servicing its orbiting space station, is ready for launch.
The Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan conducted ___37___ rehearsal (预演) on Wednesday and completed all preparations, ___38___ covered all systems involved.
Tianzhou 8 is set to be launched soon, ___39___ (mark) the first launch mission at Wenchang since Super Typhoon Yagi. ___40___ (load) with supplies for space station astronauts, Tianzhou 8 will be carried by a Long March 7 Y9 rocket. Over the course of eight previous ___41___ (launch), the reliability of the Long March 7 has ___42___ (steady) improved. According to the launch site, the rocket, cargo ship and all related systems are ___43___ good condition.
The Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, administered by the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, is China’s only coastal launch pared with the country’s inland sites, Wenchang ___44___ (offer) a wider launch range, more efficient ___45___ (deliver), minimal transportation restrictions and a safer landing area.
第四部分 写作(共两节，满分40分)
第一节(满分15分)
46. 今天是植树节，为了增强学生保护环境和美化校园意识，你校学生会计划下午在校植物园开展植树活动。假定你是李华，请你给校英文广播站写一篇号召大家参与植树活动的倡议书。
内容包括：
1. 活动安排；
2. 植树的好处；
3. 发出倡议。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：植树节Chinese Arbor Day
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
第二节(满分25分)
47. 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 wish we’d never come here!” Jeff’s voice bounced off the canyon walls, sharp and desperate. His father paused, sweat dripping down his face as he struggled for breath. The midday sun burned overhead, casting long shadows across the rocky ground. “This is tough,” his father said, voice steady but strained, “but courage isn’t optional now.” He squeezed Jeff’s shoulder, his hand warm and heavy. “I can’t keep up. You’re young, strong... Do you remember the path back to the town Flint Could you make it alone ”
Jeff’s throat tightened. His mind raced back to yesterday’s nightmare — Mark, his older brother, lying pale and trembling at the campsite. His leg was bitten by a snake yesterday, despite first aid with the wound Mark couldn’t move this morning. He needed medical attention right away otherwise he might lose his life. Helicopter! Now! The words stuck in Jeff’s head. Their phone in the car, parked near the town, must have been dead by then. There was no choice: leave Mark and run for help.
“Jeff... can you do it ”
Jeff stared at the canyon’s edge, where the rocks met the distant sky. Flint lay beyond, a lifeline. He nodded and a plan began to take hold in his mind. Then he turned, and he fought his way upward step by step. Behind him his father shrank into a tiny figure, then disappeared. Two hours later, Jeff hit the dusty road, lungs burning and legs shaking.
“No stopping! Mark’s life depends on you.” He thought to himself, each step heavier than the last. The road stretched endlessly, heat waves blurring the horizon. All of a sudden, a truck emerged in the distance, thundering on like hope. “HELP!” Jeff screamed, waving wildly. His feet pounded the ground toward the vehicle.
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。
The driver saw Jeff and brought his truck to a stop.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hours later, Jeff came to himself.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
安庆七中2024-2025高二下学期3月段考
英语试题 参考答案
本试卷满分150分，考试时间120分钟。
第一部分 听力(共两节，满分30分)
第一节(共5小题;每小题1.5分，满分7.5分)
听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。
1．Where does the man want to go
A．To the police station. B．To the supermarket. C．To the town hall.
2．What does the woman’s mother do to learn Chinese
A．She takes an online course. B．She watches Chinese movies. C．She attends a language school.
3．What will the speakers do first after lunch
A．Go hiking. B．Draw. C．Watch a film.
4．How long do the speakers plan to stay in Barcelona
A．5 days. B．7 days. C．3 days.
5．Where are the speakers probably
A．At home. B．In a restaurant. C．In a supermarket.
第二节(共15小题;每小题1.5分，满分22.5分)
听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各小题，每小题5秒钟;听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。
听第6段材料，回答第6至7题。
6．What does the woman say about zoos
A．They are educational. B．They are expensive to visit. C．They are cruel to animals.
7．Why does the man think zoos do a good job
A．They offer enjoyment to visitors.
B．They protect animals from being extinct.
C．They make it easy for people to see animals.
听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。
8．What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A．Coach and player. B．Doctor and patient. C．Receptionist and customer.
9．What does the woman ask the man about
A．Types of exercise. B．The community center. C．Ways of keeping healthy.
10．What does the man suggest the woman do
A．Go swimming. B．Examine her knees. C．Make a schedule.
听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。
11．Why didn’t the woman go to the party yesterday
A．She didn’t plan to. B．She looked after her mother. C．She was ill.
12．How long did the party last
A．About 2 hours. B．About 2.5 hours. C．About 4.5 hours.
13．What impressed the man most in the party
A．The food and music. B．The performance of a teacher. C．The organization work of labor.
听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。
14．What is the woman doing
A．Complaining about campus food.
B．Seeking comments on campus food.
C．Pushing for changes in campus food.
15．How often does the man eat in the cafeteria
A．Once a week B．Twice a week. C．Nearly every day.
16．What does the man think of the campus food
A．Acceptable. B．Excellent. C．Unsatisfactory.
17．What is the man unhappy with
A．The vegetable. B．The closing time. C．The soup.
听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。
18．Why did Clara go to her uncle’s farm
A．To take a break. B．To do research. C．To learn about nature.
19．What challenge did Clara face in the beginning
A．Looking after animals. B．Waking up early. C．Working in hot weather.
20．What does Clara think of her experience on the farm
A．It’s disappointing. B．It’s relaxing. C．It’s worthwhile.
第二部分 阅读(共两节，满分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和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
【1~3题答案】
【答案】1. D 2. A 3. B
B
【4~7题答案】
【答案】4. B 5. A 6. C 7. D
C
【8~11题答案】
【答案】8. B 9. D 10. C 11. A
D
【12~15题答案】
【答案】12. D 13. A 14. B 15. C
第二节(共5小题;每小题2.5分，满分12.5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。
【16~20题答案】
【答案】16. D 17. C 18. G 19. E 20. A
第三部分 语言运用(共两节，满分30分)
第一节 完形填空(共15小题;每小题1分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
【21~35题答案】
【答案】21. D 22. B 23. A 24. D 25. B 26. A 27. C 28. D 29. A 30. B 31. C 32. A 33. C 34. C 35. B
第二节(共10小题;每小题1.5分，满分15分)
【36~45题答案】
【答案】36. announced
37. a 38. which
39. marking
40. Loaded 41. launches
42. steadily
43. in 44. offers
45. delivery
第四部分 写作(共两节，满分40分)
第一节(满分15分)
【46题答案】
【答案】 Good morning, everyone! I’m Li Hua. Today is Tree Planting Day. Our Student Union will hold a tree planting activity in the school botanical garden this afternoon. It will start at 2:30 and last for two hours. Planting trees can not only beautify our campus but also purify the air and protect the environment. It’s a great opportunity for us to contribute to our school.
Let’s join in the activity and make our campus greener!
第二节(满分25分)
【47题答案】
【答案】
The driver saw Jeff and brought his truck to a stop. Jeff rushed to the window, gasping for breath, and blurted out, “My brother’s been bitten by a snake! We need help — now!” The driver, a middle-aged man with a kind face, nodded immediately. “Get in,” he said firmly. Jeff climbed into the truck, his heart pounding with both exhaustion and hope. As the truck sped toward Flint, Jeff explained the situation in broken sentences, his voice trembling with urgency. The driver assured him, “We’ll get help. Don’t worry.” But Jeff was not sure about that because everything in front of his eyes got unclear and then went black and quiet.
Hours later, Jeff came to himself. He was lying on a hospital cot, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling his nostrils. His father sat beside him, looking relieved but weary. “Mark’s going to be okay,” his father said softly, placing a hand on Jeff’s shoulder. “The doctors said you saved his life.” Jeff’s eyes welled up with tears as the weight of the past hours lifted. He had done it — he had fought through the fear and exhaustion to save his brother. “I just couldn’t let him down,” Jeff whispered, his voice cracking. His father smiled, pride shining in his eyes. “You were brave, son. Braver than I ever could have been.”
