I’m a talker—I have a habit of talking to every person I see—but that afternoon in March 2015, I sat beside my husband Andy on the 45-minute drive home from the Marcus Autism Center without saying a word. My two-and-a-half-year-old son Wesley had just been diagnosed(诊断) with autism spectrum disorder (自闭症谱系障碍).
I’d been given instructions and suggestions and told to sign up for classes, but I knew we could never afford any. Out of everything the specialists had said, the only word I could remember was socialization-key for Wesley to develop social skills. In the car, I tried hard to come up with ways to make his world more social. Then the strangest idea came to mind, so strange that I blurted (脱口而出) it out. “We need a dog!”
Andy looked at me as if I were crazy. “What are you talking about, Rachel? You don’t ever really like dogs.” That was true. I had had bad experiences with dogs growing up. “And how are we going to afford a dog right now?” Yes, another big question. But somehow I couldn’t shake the idea.
A couple of weeks later, I was outside playing with Wesley, when a new neighbor walked over with a black curly-coated dog. When we were chatting, her medium-sized dog ran and jumped playfully between the boys. He was so gentle; he didn’t jump on people the way I’d seen a lot of dogs do. I watched, amazed. It was as if he knew exactly how careful to be with each of them.
“What breed (品种) is he?” I asked. “He’s an Aussiedoodle (贵宾澳牧),” She said proudly. Then she continued, “He was bred (培育) by a woman called Mary, who has three autistic (自闭症的) sons. She found that Aussiedoodles work perfectly as service dogs. I can give you her phone number if you want one.”
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。
“Was this for real? We need an Aussiedoodle!” I said.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Then Andy and I drove to Mary’s home, and picked a dog called Berry.
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A bright sun setting, Sylvia was driving home her cow, a valued companion, wandering through the forest, and listening to birds’ singing. Suddenly the air was cut by a sharp whistle not far away. Sylvie knew it wasn’t a bird’s whistle.
“Hello, little girl,” a young man came into sight suddenly, “I’ve lost my way. Do you think I can spend the night at your house?” Sylvia was alarmed, but still agreed.
When they arrived, her grandma, Mrs. Tilley, welcomed the guest with hospitality. The man explained to them that he was an ornithologist (鸟类学者). “Do you cage them up?” Sylvia asked doubtfully. “Oh no,” he answered enthusiastically, “I shoot dozens and dozens of them myself, and preserve them with special chemicals.”
“Sylvia knows a lot about birds, too.” Her grandmother said proudly.
“Really? I caught a glimpse of a very rare bird, a little white heron (苍鹭), which keeps me around. Have you seen it, too?” He gently asked, looking at Sylvia with some hope.
But Sylvia was watching a frog in the narrow footpath.
“It’s a tall, white bird with soft feathers and long thin legs. It probably has its nest at the top of a tall tree.” The man continued eagerly.
Sylvia’s heart gave a wild beat. She knew that special white bird! She had seen it on the other side of the forest and had once approached softly near where it stood.
The young man added desperately, “I would give $100 to you.”
Her grandma gave amazed attention to it, but Sylvia still watched the road.
The next day the young man hovered about the woods, and Sylvia kept him company, having lost her first fear. They had such a wonderful day to enjoy the birds’ songs and the thick branches. She had never seen anyone so handsome and charming. A strange excitement filled her heart. Sylvia would have liked him better without his gun. She could not understand why he killed the birds he seemed to like so much. She felt her heart tremble every time he shot an unsuspecting bird as it was singing in the trees.
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。
Para.1
At night, Sylvia stayed awake while her grandma and the young man were sound asleep.
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Para.2
Suddenly Sylvia’s dark grey eyes caught a flash of white that grew larger and larger.
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I was eight years old when my family moved from Towoomba to England in 1950. My mother was suffering from a rare disease and had to take treatment in London. The day before we boarded the ship, Father sent his five-year-old red heeler (Australian cattle dog), Spider, who was loved by us all, to his friend Sandy, as Sandy was to be his guardian while we were overseas. We didn’t know how long my mother’s treatment would take or how long we would be away.
Six weeks later, an airletter arrived from Sandy, giving my father the news that Spider had run away just two weeks after we had sailed. I will always remember my father’s face as he read this news. My mother and I tried to comfort him, knowing in our hearts how useless this was.
Sandy had advertised constantly on the media. Despite many “sightings”, the dog was never found. It seemed Spider just kept running and searching for us. My father worried he would be shot or dead from starvation. But our family thought that Father held a secret hope that Spider was still alive.
We sailed back to Australia two years later and my father immediately began his own search for Spider. He repeated calls to the people who had said they had seen his dog, but it turned out to be clueless.
One cold winter’s Saturday morning, eight months after our return, my father had a call from Gin Gin, 375 kilometers from Toowoomba. An elderly lady living on her own was putting food out “for a very old yellow dog”. This had been going on for a few weeks. Immediately we set off.
Five and a half hours later, we found the old house beside the bush (灌木丛). Sadly, the lady told my father that the dog hadn’t been around for a few days. My father had an upset look in his eyes. He put two fingers to his mouth and did his special whistle for Spider.
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。
Suddenly there was a sound in the bush.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Once home we gently cleaned him up.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Being the youngest in my family has had its advantages, of course. But being the youngest also came with its fair share of troubles. I was often told what I couldn’t do and why. I knew that my family loved me. They always tried to protect me, help me and take care of me, but I couldn’t wait to show them I could do things by myself.
It was a hot day in Florida. The school year had just ended and it was time for summer vacation. We had just gotten a little black dog who we named One-Eyed.
Everybody wanted to do something for the dog: feed him, teach him tricks and take long walks with him. Everybody was so happy to have this little active, playful new addition to our family. I was so desperate to pet One-Eyed myself, too. Every time I asked my brother or my sister if I could do that, they would shout, “No!” or tell me that I had germs (细菌). Once, they even convinced me that I had so many germs and that if I touched One-Eyed he would die! I really believed them and was scared that something terrible would happen to the dog. Once I even confessed to my mom that I touched the dog when no one noticed. At first, my mom seemed very confused about what I was telling her, but then she realized that they were playing a joke on me to keep me away from the dog. My mom scolded my brother and sister, “You better stop teasing your little brother!” Little brother! That’s exactly what I was. That really got my blood boiling. The frustration built up inside me as I watched them enjoy their time with One-Eyed, excluding me from the joyous moments. I knew I was capable of taking care of myself and forming my own connection with our new furry friend. Determination filled my heart, fueling a newfound sense of independence.
I took one look at the dog and decided, I was going to prove to everyone that I could pet and play with One-Eyed.
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Seeing this, my brother and sister couldn’t believe their eyes.
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Maybe, we all need to treat others with more patience and understanding. Then we might be repaid in unexpected ways.
Fifteen years ago, I took a trip to Lecce in southern Italy. Lecce is an important place for art and culture lovers. Walking among churches and old buildings in the city center is a dive into the past. More importantly, it’s an ideal place for photographing.
One morning, I got up early enough for a sweeping view of the sunrise, the blue sea, white buildings and green trees. After climbing up a hill, I paused to catch my breath. As I looked around I was shocked by the breath-taking views in front of me.
When I positioned myself to take some pictures, a woman suddenly approached from behind, and planted herself right in front of my view. Like me, I thought, this woman was here to stop for a short break, and enjoy the scenery. Beyond my expectation, she stood still as if something caught her attention, not noticing anyone else’s presence around her.
For about l0 minutes, I used my camera to scan the sun and review the shot I would eventually take. Patient as I was, I got bored finally. “Is it too much to ask her to move aside so that I can take just one picture of the landscape?” I asked myself.
Of course, I could have asked her, but something prevented me from doing so.
She seemed so absorbed in her observation that I didn't have the heart to mess with that. So I decided to wait.
Another 10 minutes passed. However, the woman was still there. I grew really impatient. I decided to take the photo anyway. With an unwilling touch of the shutter (快门), I left in low spirits.
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。
After the photos were printed, I tried to find the photo “ruined” by the woman.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Now this photo hangs on a wall in my study.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________On the weekend, I went shopping and after walking around for a while, I felt tired so I decided to get a cup of coffee. As I was making my way to the coffee shop, I noticed an older gentleman rather poorly dressed sitting on a bench nearby. I knew from first sight that he was in need of some kind of help. He had a little lunch put in front of him and was wholeheartedly enjoying it. It was also rather clear that he had a problem with his right eye and probably couldn’t see out of it. I wasn’t thinking about it any more, and then joined the line, waiting to be served.
Then it happened---one of the most beautiful gestures I have ever seen in my life.
There was a young man in front of me in the line who was also waiting to be served. As the young man approached the counter to place his order, he noticed the older gentleman sitting on the bench nearby. Without hesitation, he turned back to the cashier and asked if they could provide a free cup of tea for the elderly man. The cashier was surprised by his sudden request, hesitating for a moment and nodding in agreement.
The young man then went on to pay for not only his own drink but also another one, which he handed to the older gentleman with a warm smile. The older man looked up, surprised and grateful, as the young man sat down beside him on the bench. They began to chat, and I couldn’t help but feel touched by this simple act of kindness.
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。
As I received my tea, I decided to join them.
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As we continued to talk, more people heard about it.
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A child was standing on a street-corner. He leaned with one shoulder against a high board-fence and swayed the other to and fro, while kicking carelessly at the gravel.
Sunshine beat upon the cobbles (鹅卵石), and a lazy summer wind raised yellow dust which trailed in clouds down the avenue. Clattering trucks moved with indistinctness through it. The child stood dreamily gazing.
After a time, a little dark-brown dog came trotting with an intent air down the sidewalk. A short rope was dragging from his neck. Occasionally he trod upon the end of it and stumbled.
He stopped opposite the child, and the two regarded each other. The dog hesitated for a moment, but presently he made some little advances with his tail. The child put out his hand and called him. In an apologetic manner, the dog came close, and the two had an interchange of friendly pattings and waggles. The dog became more enthusiastic with each moment of the interview, until with his gleeful caperings he threatened to overturn the child. Whereupon the child lifted his hand and struck the dog with a blow upon the head.
This thing seemed to overpower and astonish the little dark-brown dog, and wounded him to the heart. He sank down in despair at the child’s feet. When the blow was repeated, together with an admonition (警告) in childish sentences, he turned over upon his back, and held his paws in a peculiar (奇怪的) manner. At the same time, with his ears and his eyes, he offered a small prayer to the child.
He looked so comical on his back, and holding his paws peculiarly, that the child was greatly amused and gave him little taps repeatedly, to keep him so. But the little dark-brown dog took this chastisement (惩罚) in the most serious way, and no doubt considered that he had committed some grave crime, for he wriggled contritely and showed his repentance in every way that was in his power. He pleaded with the child and petitioned him, and offered more prayers.
At last the child grew weary of this amusement and turned toward home. The dog was praying at the time. He lay on his back and turned his eyes upon the retreating form.
注意：
1.续写词数应为150字左右；
2.请按照如下格式在答题卡的相应位置做答。
Presently he struggled to his feet and started after the child. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The child beat his pursuer with a small stick he had found. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
