23年高考英语外刊阅读理解训练——什么是真正的英雄

23年高考英语外刊阅读理解训练——什么是真正的英雄 ——改编自What is a hero exactly？ The concept of heroism has been a topic of debate for ages. What makes someone a hero? Is it an act of bravery or an embodiment of nobility? These questions were brought to the forefront when the author received a phone call from a woman who claimed his story had saved her son from suicide, calling him a hero. It led him to question what being a hero really means. He looked up the definition of the word and found two distinct meanings – doing something brave and being good and noble. The latter resonated with him more. He recalled a time when he was going through a breakup and was on the verge of ending his life. A card sent by a friend telling him how much they valued his friendship saved him. The person who sent the card became a hero, unknowingly saving his life. Knowing how it feels to be saved by something as simple as a card, the author continued to write stories to help others. One of his stories ultimately saved the life of a troubled teenage boy, making the author a hero by definition. He understood the power of kindness and believed in extending it to make a difference in the lives of children in orphanages. The author believed that sending them gifts would make them feel loved and remembered, even when they believed the world had forsaken them. He hoped that these acts of kindness would inspire them to choose a different path in life. In conclusion, the author's definition of a hero is someone who brings goodness and nobility into the world. It could be an act of bravery or a small gesture of kindness that saves a life. It highlights the importance of empathy and encourages us to extend a helping hand to those who need it to make the world a better place. 【重点词汇】 1. heroism ['hɛrəʊɪzm] n. 英雄主义 2. embodiment [ɪmˈbɒdɪmənt] n. 体现，化身 3. forefront['fɔːfrʌnt] n. 最前沿，最重要的位置 4. suicide ['suːɪsaɪd] n. 自杀 5. definition [ˌdefɪˈnɪʃn] n. 定义 6. resonated [ˈrɛzəneɪtɪd] v. 共鸣 7. breakup [ˈbreɪkʌp] n.