It was an accident. I brought a salad to a holiday party and the hostess gave me back the wrong spoon. It looked out of fashion, with a tiny snowflake engraved(刻)on the handle, unclean, nearly dull from use.
My home was lacking in teaspoons since my four-year-old son had a habit of clearing tableware(餐具)into the litter after meals and I lacked money for new spoons. So I held onto the spoon.
My two kids like arguing over everything and anything. I wasn’t happy about telling them to use the snowflake spoon. The moment it hit the placemat(餐具垫), it got a sideways look from my daughter Veronica, then six. “This isn’t ours,” she said.
I held it up like an exhibit. “Listen,” I said. “This is a special spoon. See the magic snowflake? Isn’t it cute?” I placed it in front of her. “I want you to use it.”
Next thing you know, four-year-old Louis asked why he didn’t get the special spoon. After that, the kids had to take turns eating with the special spoon. Years into negotiations over who got to use the special spoon, I finally admitted to the kids: enough already. It’s not actually special. I only said that so you wouldn’t refuse it in favor of our other teaspoons. But I was too late. By then, the snowflake spoon had gained its place in the drawer.
When my family condition improved, I brought home some new spoons. “What are you going to do with the old one?” asked Veronica. “It is special, and you’re not throwing it away,” she said. I felt deeply moved. At that moment, I realized I’ve created words that will bring unforgettable memories for my kids. I created “The Special Spoon”.
(以下是A种题型)
1. What can we learn about the special spoon?
| A．It was new when the author got it. |
| B．It was given to the author by mistake. |
| C．It was intended as a gift for the author. |
| D．It was loved by the daughter at first sight. |
| A．The spoon was refused by Veronica. |
| B．The spoon was thrown into the drawer. |
| C．The kids believed and competed for it. |
| D．The kids thought it was nothing special. |
| A．It was valued by the two kids. |
| B．It was replaced by the new ones. |
| C．It made the author richer and richer. |
| D．It inspired the author to create more spoons. |
| A．The Story 1 Told About the Special Spoon |
| B．Why I Lied to My Kids About the Spoon |
| C．The Most Beautiful Spoon I Have Ever Got |
| D．How I Created a Little Magic for My Family |
(以下是B种题型)
5. Why did the author lack spoons?
6. What was Veronica’s attitude towards the spoon at the beginning?
7. What does the underlined word “negotiations” in paragraph 5 mean in English?
8. What did the Special Spoon bring to the author’s family?
相似题推荐
教材续写语料
1. 情感描写
romantic adj.浪漫的；爱情的；浪漫主义的merry adj.愉快的，高兴的 tear n．眼泪，泪珠
2. 动作描写
decorate vt.& vi.装饰；点缀；粉刷，油漆 twist vi.& vt.扭转，转动；使弯曲；曲折 clap vi.& vt.鼓掌，拍手be caught up in被卷入，陷入 hunt vi.& vt.寻找，搜寻；打猎，猎杀；追捕observe vt.遵守；注意到；观察；庆祝 select vt.选择，挑选
3. 环境描写
occasion n．特殊场合，盛会；时刻；时机apartment n．公寓套房 midnight n．午夜，子夜
续写语料运用请从以上语料中选择合适的词汇，并用适当的过渡词完成以下语段。
(改编自2021·新高考全国Ⅰ，读后续写)
母亲节终于到了。双胞胎和他们的父亲计划给母亲一个惊喜。一大早，父亲开始装饰他们的房子，试图营造一种浪漫的氛围。与此同时，双胞胎做早餐。他们把早餐带到楼上，叫醒了母亲，喊道：“母亲节快乐！”接着父亲带着两瓶啤酒进来了。眼泪涌了出来，母亲搂住他们。她从来没有像现在这样快乐和骄傲过。
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I lived with my mom and grandmother since I was 8 years old. Running a big grocery store in our town, my mom was very busy and seldom had time to take care of me. Every day I was left inside the house with my grandmother who was too old to take me out to play. I always thought that my mom cared more about her business than me.
One sunny afternoon, two of my closest friends, Jason and David, called me to go biking at the park. My grandmother was sleeping in her bedroom. I thought it was my chance. So I climbed over our gate and got out. Jason lent me his bike and sat at the back seat of David’s bike. Then the three of us went together to the park, which was not far away from our home, to enjoy ourselves. I was riding the bike as fast as I could around the park. And I felt as if I were flying!
Suddenly out of nowhere, a little boy appeared in front of me.
Through this experience, I realized accidents may happen any time and that mother is always the one who loves me best.
| A．My leg hurt a lot and I saw some blood on my trousers. |
| B．Jason was shocked and he immediately rushed to the grocery store to tell my mom. |
| C．Knowing that I was not seriously hurt, my mom kept me at home for a month as a punishment. |
| D．To avoid him, I made a sudden turn, knocked onto a tree and fell over. |
| E．Soon my mom came and drove me to the nearest hospital. |
| F．To my surprise, instead of getting mad at me, she said sorry for not taking good care of me, which made me deeply regretful. |
Doing things with my father was always fun due to his rich imagination. With his personality, it was amazing how patient Dad could be. I don’t recall a time when he stood across my path; he always walked beside, guiding me with his own steps. When, at 10, I announced that I was going to Africa to bring back wild animals, my mother and sisters pointed out my age, the problems of transportation and all such ordinary and unimportant facts.
But not Dad. He brought home books about Africa, train and boat schedules for us to study, and even some iron bars which we used to build cages for the animals I was to bring back. When the departure day approached and I was becoming anxious, my father brought home a newspaper that told of an accident on the railroad that was to take me to Baltimore. This postponed my trip and, by the time the train tracks were repaired, he and I were off on a new and more exciting project.
When a neighbor’s dog killed my dog Bounce, I was determined to kill that dog. I thought it day after day, almost making myself ill with my own hate.
“Let’s get it done,” my father stated unexpectedly in a whisper one evening after dinner. I followed him, to discover that he had tied the dog. He gave me a gun, and then stepped back for me to do my work. The dog and I looked at each other. He shook his tail to express friendship. Suddenly the gun was too heavy for me to hold and it dropped to the ground. The dog came up and kissed my hand. The three of us walked home together, the dog jumping in front. No word was ever said about what had happened. None was needed.
When President Harding died, the funeral train was scheduled to pass through a town about 20 miles from ours. I wanted desperately to go and see this train, but Mother pointed out that there would be school the next day and that it would be a long trip. That ended the discussion.
1. 阅读短文，完成下面的表格(每空一词)| 5W | Details |
| When | At the age of |
| Where | At home and in the |
| Who | The author, his |
| What | To go |
| Why | Father’s patience and rich |
But when the day arrived,
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Dad put two pennies into my hand and asked me to put them on the rails.
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Experience the iconic features of Australia
25 Sep
Next week I’m travelling to Australia to visit a friend there over the school holidays. I plan to keep this blog to record my experiences and what I learn. I have already done some research on the country. Located to the south of the equator, below many other countries on the globe, it’s often informally referred to as “down under”.
I have also read about some iconic sites, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Great Ocean Road, and animals like the cute koalas and kangaroos. I can’t wait to see all of them! However, as I major insocial studies, I’m more interested in meeting people in Australia and experiencing their culture, food, and way of life.
1 Oct
I’m here in Sydney! Since I arrived, my friend has brought me to my first openair barbecue and has also shared many different but yummy meals with me, so my first impressions of Australia have been all about food! A lot of typical Australian food, such as the Sunday roast, is originally British. Bakeries, fastfood joints, butcher shops, cafes, and restaurants everywhere provide some of the premier food experiences in the world. The influence of Asian cultures, on the other hand, led to the introduction of bean curd and Asian herbs, along with Australian versions of foods like the Chineseinspired dim sim.
3 Oct
My friend and I have arrived in Katherine, a town in Australia’s Northern Territory. We’re here to learn about the life and customs of the Aborigines，who are native to Australia. The Aboriginal population might be small, but its influence is still visible. For example, “Bondi” in “Bondi Beach” is an Aboriginal word meaning “water breaking over rocks”.
To survive in this vast land on the ocean, the Aborigines had to be in close contact with nature. This shows in their music, too, which celebrates the natural world and the spiritual world around them. Most of their musical instruments are really just sticks found on the ground, among which there is an amazing instrument called the didgeridoo.
The didgeridoo is made from a tree branch which is hollow. To play the didgeridoo, you put your mouth on one end and blow while vibrating your lips. Unlike a horn, there are no finger holes. The didgeridoo player has to change the shape of his mouth in order to change pitch. A skilled player can play for a long time without stopping to breathe. He does this by continually breathing in through his nose while breathing out through his mouth and into the didgeridoo. I tried to learn how to play it, but after trying for hours, I was convinced that I could never make a musical sound with this instrument!
6 Oct
It’s almost time for me to say goodbye to Australia. I’ve enjoyed my time here very much. After being here for a while, my biggest impression is the complicated mix of peoples and cultures that make up the nation. Although the main cultural influence since 1788 has been Western culture, minority cultures have also played a part in shaping the unique Australian culture, with many of the new cultural influences contributed by immigrants. It is said that now nearly half of all Australian citizens were either born overseas or have parents who were born overseas.
Personally speaking, what I like most about Australia is the people themselves. They have a straightforward and freeandeasy attitude towards life, and their friendliness and warmth made me feel at home wherever I went.
After experiencing Australia, I have to say that I agree with the tourism slogan: “There’s nothing like Australia.”
1. What’s the main idea of the text?| A．The author’s impression of the food and music of Australia. |
| B．The author’s experiences in Australia. |
| C．The author’s impression of the people and culture of Australia. |
| D．The author’s impression of the attractions of Australia. |
| A．First impressions on Australia. B．Preparations before going to Australia. C．Reflections on multiculturalism. D．The culture of Aborigines. |
Blog entry 3
3. What does the phrase “down under” mean?
| A．Australia is surrounded by oceans. |
| B．Australia lies to the south of the equator. |
| C．Australia will be swallowed by rising sea water. |
| D．Australia has a lower ground level than other countries. |
| A．Love. | B．Nature. |
| C．History. | D．Food. |
| A．By changing his mouth shapes. |
| B．By breathing in more air. |
| C．By pressing the finger holes. |
| D．By closing his mouth tightly. |
| A．To show his disappointment at travelling. |
| B．To praise the effect of the advertising. |
| C．To remind visitors not to go to Australia. |
| D．To stress the beauty of Australia. |
Located to the south of the equator, below many other countries on the globe, Australia is often
A lot of typical Australian food originally comes from the UK. The influence of Asian cultures, on the other hand, resulted in the
The Aborigines are native to Australia. Their population might be small,
What impresses me most is the complicated mix of peoples and cultures. While the main cultural influence since
（1）Located to the south of the equator, below many other countries on the globe，it's often informally referred to as “down under”.
（2）To survive in this vast land on the ocean, the Aborigines bad to be in close contact with nature.
（3）Most of their musical instruments are really just sticks found on the ground, among which there is an amazing instrument called the didgeridoo.
【推荐2】The artists of Creative Growth will be on view throughout the month of August, coupled with musical performances and film screenings organized by L.A. Takedown. All proceeds from the month will benefit the artists and space. The money will be used to improve the condition of the studio and for the development of the artists. “L.A. doesn’t really have a place like Creative Growth,” Olson said, discussing his hopes for the show.
What does the underlined word “proceeds” in the last paragraph mean?
| A．Activities. | B．Work |
| C．Profits | D．Arrangement |
【推荐3】“Hello,” they each said in Spanish. They asked where he's from, and told him they were happy to see him. Then Levitz took him on a quick tour of the school before classes began—to her office the school store, the library, and the dining hall.
A total of 19 languages are spoken in Bulkeley High School. “We have so many new students coming here from other countries every single day,” Levitz said. “So it's not like he's the only one who has that feeling.”
“You could tell he's little worried," Guillermo said as we left.” But, at the same time, he's looking forward to it.”
What can we learn about Bulkeley High School?
| A．It has no library. |
| B．It is an international school. |
| C．It plans to open Spanish classes. |
| D．It requires all students to wear uniforms. |
【推荐1】Zachariah Fike has an unusual hobby. He finds old military (军队的) medals for sale in antique stores and on the Internet. But unlike most collectors, Zac tracks down the medals’ rightful owners, and returns them.
His effort to reunite families with lost medals began with a Christmas gift from his mother, a Purple Heart with the name Corrado A. G. Piccoli, found in an antique shop. Zac knows the meaning of a Purple Heart — he earned one himself in a war as a soldier. So when his mother gave him the medal, he knew right away what he had to do.
Through the Internet, Zac tracked down Corrado’s sister Adeline Rockko. But when he finally reached her, the woman flooded him with questions: “Who are you? What antique shop?” However, when she hung up, she regretted the way she had handled the call. So she called Zac back and apologized. Soon she drove to meet Zac in Watertown, N.Y. “At that point, I knew she meant business,” Zac says. “To drive eight hours to come to see me.”
The Piccolis grew up the children of Italian immigrants in Watertown. Corrado, a translator for the Army during WWII, was killed in action in Europe.
Before hearing from Zac, Adeline hadn’t realized the medal was missing. Like many military medals, the one Zac’s mother had found was a family treasure. “This medal was very precious to my parents. Only on special occasions (场合) would they take it out and let us hold it in our hands,” Adeline says.
As a child, Adeline couldn’t understand why the medal was so significant. “But as I grew older,” Adeline says, “and missed my brother more and more, I realized that was the only thing we had left.” Corrado Piccoli’s Purple Heart medal now hangs at the Italian American Civic Association in Watertown.
Zac recently returned another lost medal to a family in Alabama. Since he first reunited Corrado’s medal, Zac says his record is now 5 for 5.
1. What did Zac realize when Adeline drove to meet him？| A．She was very impolite. |
| B．She was serious about the medal. |
| C．She suspected his honesty. |
| D．She came from a wealthy family. |
| A．Her parents’ advice. |
| B．Her knowledge of antiques. |
| C．Her childhood dream. |
| D．Her memory of her brother. |
【推荐2】I was with my mom one day as we took a walk while window shopping. We both knew we wouldn't be buying much. I remember I was looking up at the people we passed as we walked. Ladies wore 5-inch heels and bright clothes. Men wore expensive perfumes and creams that wiped away the wrinkles on their faces. An uneasy feeling started to settle in my chest. I could deny it no longer and I was ashamed of my mom.
We were in a high-class neighborhood. We lived in a small, expensive apartment building at the edge of our county. Mom chose to move there because she knew the schools were good. I realized for the first time that we didn't belong there.
I could see the heavy lines around my mom's eyes and mouth. She wore cheap clothes and worn-out shoes. Her eyes were tired from working long hours to make ends meet, and her hair was too gray for her age. She was nothing extraordinary, yet at that moment, she stood out because she was just so plain. I didn't want to be seen with her although there was no one important around to see me anyway. I felt embarrassed about being at her side. We were standing in the middle of a high-end store, and she was holding a sweater.
Mom said, “Anna, this will look good on you. Do you want it?” It Was much too expensive, but I almost thoughtlessly answered “Yes”. Then I took a closer look at the small, tired woman with a big smile and a sweater in her hands, happy to be giving me something so nice. My words died in my throat. Her clothes were worn and old because she spent her money buying me new ones. She looked so tired because she was busy working to provide for me. She didn't wear jewelry or perfumes because she was content with spending what little money she had on me. Suddenly, my mom was beautiful and extraordinarily wonderful in my eyes. I was no longer ashamed of her, but of myself.
“Do you want it?” Mom repeated.
“No, thanks,” I replied.
1. Why did the author describe the passers-by while window-shopping?| A．To stress her mother was plain. |
| B．To show she envied rich people. |
| C．To suggest she was curious about others. |
| D．To indicate she was in an expensive neighborhood. |
| A．Studying at a top school. | B．Going window-shopping. |
| C．Being seen with her mom. | D．Living in a small apartment. |
A. Unfortunately, during one of her challenging workouts, Emily suffered an injury. She had to shift her focus from intense physical activities to leisurely exercises that allowed her body to recover.
B. Emily was a senior high school student with a passion for sports. She had always been participating in various sports in secondary school. With a busy schedule, she would wake up early in the morning and hit the gym before her classes started. This routine not only helped her stay fit but also improved her confidence and competence.
C. As she gradually regained her strength, Emily revised her workout schedule and aimed for a balanced lifestyle. She started doing yoga for stress reduction. She attended regular class and set achievable goals, making sure to listen to her body.
D. During her recovery period, Emily turned to the Internet for guidance. As a digital native, she knew how to surf the Internet to find expert advice on staying fit during downtime. Meanwhile, she joined a voluntary organization that offered fitness programs for people with injuries. She connected with other injured athletes and found support in their shared experiences.
E. Emily’s journey showed the importance of adaptability in sports and fitness. Setbacks were not the end but rather an opportunity to grow and strengthen oneself both physically and mentally.
