An A for Mrs.B
I was sitting next to Missy in my ninth grade world history class when Mrs. Bartlett announced a new project. In groups, we were to create a newspaper around the culture we were studying.
On a piece of paper, we wrote the names of three friends we wanted in our group. After collecting all the requests, Mrs. B. informed us that she would take into consideration the names we chose and would let us know the results the next day. I had no doubt I would get the group of my choice. There were only a handful of sociably decent people in the class, and Missy was one of them. I knew we had chosen each other.
The next day, I anxiously awaited the class. Mrs. B started to call out names. When she reached group three, Missy’s name was called. So I’m in group three, I thought. The second, third and fourth members of the group were called. My name was not included. There had to be some mistake!
Then I heard it. The last group: “Mauro, Julette, Rachel, Karina." I could feel the tears well in my eyes. How could I face being in that group-the boy who barely spoke English, the one girl who was always covered by skirts that went down to her ankles, and the other girl who wore weird clothes. Oh, how badly I wanted to be with my friends.
I fought back tears as I walked up to Mrs. B. She looked at me and knew what I was here for. I was determined to convince her I should be in the “good” group.
She gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know what you want, Katrina,” she said, “but your group needs you. I need you to help them get a passing grade on this assignment. Only you can help them.”
I was stunned and amazed. She had seen something in me I hadn’t seen. “Will you help them?” I stood straighter. “Yes,” I replied. I couldn’t believe it came out of my mouth, but it did. I had committed.
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 bravely walked to where the others in my group sat.
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I don’t recall what the newspaper’s headline was, but I did learn something that week.
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A little boy selling magazines for school walked up to a house that people hardly visited. The house was very old and the owner hardly ever came out. When he did come out he would not say hello to neighbors or passers-by but simply just glare (瞪眼看) at them.
The boy knocked on the door and waited, sweating from fear of the old man. The boy’s parents told him to stay away from the house. A lot of the other neighborhood children were told the same from their parents.
As he was ready to walk away, the door slowly opened. “What do you want?” the old man said. The little boy was very afraid but he had a quota (份额) to meet for school with selling the magazines.
“Uh, sir, I uh am selling these magazines and uh I was wondering if you would like to buy one.” The old man just stared at the boy. The boy could see inside the old man’s house and saw that he had dog figurines (小狗雕像) on the wall. “Do you collect dogs?” the little boy asked. “Yes, I have many collections in my house. They are my family here. They are all I have.” The boy then felt sorry for the man, as it seemed that he was a very lonely soul. “Well, I do have a magazine here for collectors. It is perfect for you. I also have one about dogs since you like dogs so much.” The old man was ready to close the door on the boy and said, “No boy, I don’t need any magazines of any kind, now goodbye.”
The little boy was sad that he was not going to make his quota with the sale. He was also sad for the old man being so alone in the big house that he owned. The boy went home and then had an idea. He had a little dog figurine that he got some years ago from an aunt. The figurine did not mean nearly as much to him since he had a real live dog and a large family.
注意：
1、 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2、 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好;
Paragraph 1:
The boy headed back down to the old man’s house with the figurine.
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Paragraph 2:
From that day on something changed inside the old man.
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注意：1. 词数120左右；2. 发言稿开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总词数。
Hello, Everyone!
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Thank you!
Karen, Judy and I were the last ones back in the classroom after lunch. Our classmates were playing outside.
“Look at what I found in Ms. Lee’s office.” Karen held up a small box filled with pieces of chalk in every color of the rainbow.
“Wow! What fun it would be to write on the chalkboard while everyone is outside,” Judy’s eyes shone with joy. “But Ms. Lee doesn’t let us do so,” I responded, already feeling guilty, although we had not yet done anything. “Don’t be a chicken, Janet. No one will ever know,” said Karen, reaching into the box and drawing out some chalk. Judy also began drawing.
I unwillingly joined my friends in the artwork, afraid of being caught. However, I found it was very funny. Then something struck Judy. She said excitedly, “We’re all right-handed. Let’s see who can write their name best using their left hand.”
Picking up their chalk, Judy and Karen started. I chose a white piece from the box and began to write. The handwriting was a bit shaky, but no one would doubt that it said “Janet”.
“We’d better get this board cleaned off now,” said Judy, eyeing the clock. She picked up an eraser and began erasing our handwork from the board. Everything came off... but my name! In disbelief, I looked at the chalk I held in my sweaty hand. On closer examination, I found that it wasn’t chalk at all, but a piece of white crayon (蜡笔). I was sweating and my knees felt weak. My mother had a saying: “Fools’ names and faces always appear in public places.” I never understood fully what it meant before. Now I did! I was a fool, and there was my name in crayon to prove it. And the teacher would be returning soon.
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。
Paragraph 1:
“Quick! Let’s get some wet cloth,” said Judy, springing into action.
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Paragraph 2:
Ms. Lee never asked about the abrasion (磨损处) and maybe never noticed it.
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“Are we really planning on staying here?” Sophie asked me. “I feel like we have no choice!” I responded to her. The place in question was the Starfish Holiday In, a motel (汽车旅馆) of doubtful character on the beach in Jacksonville, Florida. We ended up here because of our own irresponsibility. It was our freshman year of college, and being eager to escape the cold and upsetting weather for spring break, we decided to travel to the sunny south, for we had frequently been told in TV programs and movies about the fascinating scenery of its beaches. Florida’s natural beauty and lively cities make it the top destination in the world. With more than 1, 200 miles of sand beaches and 160 state parks, tourists can find a corner to enjoy all to themselves.
However, it was a last minute decision; we did not make reservations anywhere ahead of time. When we arrived in Florida, we tried to book a room in a good but affordable hotel. After going to six hotels and finding no room left at all, we stopped at an information centre. A kind and helpful woman delivered the discouraging news that, if we didn’t have reservations anywhere, it would be very difficult for us to find a safe place to stay. She recommended that we check a couple of places, but they all seemed too expensive for us. Then she said that the Starfish Inn provided rooms that were reasonably priced, but that she would not want her daughters to stay there!
So that is how we got into our difficult situation. After paying the owner of the motel, we dragged our luggage to the room, where we opened the door with great shock. Everything in the room was in shades of blue and green, with real and painted starfish on nearly every surface; the place looked like it hadn't been redecorated since 50 years ago! It looked like a mess. How could we spend the whole night in such a room?
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。
We looked at each other and then decided to further check out the place.
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All these problems challenged us.
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The story started when the Marches were driving home on a cold winter evening.
It was almost 11:00 pm. They were waiting at a red traffic light when they spotted a middle-aged man walking across the road. He dragged his leg, wrapped up his overcoat and hurried by, looking tired and depressed.
The couple felt a need to give him a hand. Then they pulled over and offered him a lift. The man felt surprised at first but soon he accepted their offer and showed his appreciation.
On the way home, they had a chat. They learned the man called Bill was a security guard of a company, which was on the other side of the city. Every day it would take him about 3 hours to travel there by public transportation and the same time back home. The long trip left him only time for work and sleep. Sometimes if he missed the last bus, just as that day, he would have no time to sleep. He had had a car, but because of several hardships in his family, he had to sell it for money.
The Marches didn’t return until they sent Bill to his home. That might have been the end of the story, but they couldn’t take Bill’s 6-hour daily trip and his hardship off their minds. His experience reminded the couple of their own previous struggles in their early life. Short of money, they counted every coin to cover the cost. In order to support life, they walked to the office in the distance, despite hot or cold. Hopelessness and disappointment clouded their life. This time, they thought the trip with Bill wasn’t over.
续写要求：
1.续写词数应为120左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The Marches thought of ways to raise money.
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Then they handed the keys of the car to Bill.
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Rain pattered outside, and the low rumble of thunder was felt more than heard. Inside the cozy living room, 10-year-old twins, Jake and Ben, huddled on the couch, browsing through their favorite songs on the tablet.
“Hey Jake, I think we should perform this one,” Ben said, pointing to a classic track they both loved.
Jake hesitated, “I love that song, Ben, but it has high notes. You know I struggle with those.”
Ben smirked, “That’s why we’re a team, right? I’ve got the high notes, and you’ve got those amazing low tones. Together, we’re unbeatable.”
Jake sighed, feeling a pinch of anxiety. The school’s annual singing contest was only a weekaway, and they had decided to participate as a duo (搭档). Both brothers were talented, but while Ben was confident and had an impressive range, Jake often battled stage fright and doubted his abilities.
“Okay, let’s give it a shot,” Jake finally agreed, taking a deep breath.
The following days were filled with rehearsals. After school, they would lock themselves in their bedroom and practice. Their parents would occasionally hear their harmonies, smiles playing on their lips, proud of their determined sons.
However, not every rehearsal went smoothly. There were times Jake would miss a note, and Ben’s high notes would sometimes waver. There were disagreements over pacing, key changes, and even the kind of emotions they should evoke during specific parts of the song.
Yet, what made their bond unbreakable was their unwavering support for each other. When Jake felt nervous about the impending (逼近的) performance, Ben would reassure him. “You have a gift, Jake. Trust in it. And if you ever falter, remember I’m right there with you.”
On the other hand, when Ben struggled with his high notes, Jake was his pillar of strength. “Just relax, take a deep breath, and let it out. We’ve got this, bro.”
Days passed, and the day of the contest arrived. The school auditorium was buzzing with excitement. Families, teachers, and students filled every seat. As Jake and Ben waited backstage, Jake felt his heart racing. The murmur of the audience was deafening, and the weight of the stage lights made everything seem surreal.
“Hey,” Ben whispered, squeezing Jake’s hand, “remember the time we sang in front of our entire family during the reunion? It’s the same, just a slightly larger family.”
Jake chuckled, feeling a bit better. “Yeah, a ‘slightly’ larger one.”
注意：1. 所续写短文的词数应为 150左右；
2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1:
Before they knew it, their names were announced.
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Paragraph 2:
Sensing his brother’s unease, Ben subtly squeezed Jake’s hand and continued singing, letting Jake gather himself.
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