“Jennifer, do you hike?” Karen said to me. “Yes, I hike,” I replied. Karen’s slim figure and sun-kissed cheeks suggested she was a regular hiker.
“Great, do you want to come with us tomorrow? We will meet in front of Bobbie’s house at 6:30 before it is too hot, and we will go over to Thunderbird Mountain. It is about three miles in total. Does that sound OK?”
Three miles. I wasn’t sure how long that was, partly because I didn’t actually hike. I was somewhat familiar with the area where they planned to go, but our family had just moved from Oregon to Arizona. I walked our dog around the neighbourhood all the time before we moved here. But I wasn’t sure if I had gone three miles. Being new to town and excited about an invitation from women I wanted to befriend, I accepted, saying, “Sure. That sounds great. We all benefit from hiking.”
When this hiking conversation among my new friends occurred, I was at a monthly dinner for moms in my new neighborhood. The group was four women in their forties, all with high-school kids, jobs, a fondness for reading and music and tricks for simplifying work-life.
I was honored to be invited since making friends in my forties in a new town wasn’t easy. After this re-location for my husband’s career, making friends wasn’t as simple for me as it was for him. He came to the community for a full-time position at a busy university. Our teenaged son and daughter immediately plugged into school through sports and clubs. I was enormously grateful for the ease of the transition for my family, but nervous for myself. So, while at the monthly ladies’ gathering, when hiking came up, I just played along, wanting to try something new.
The next day, I got up early and carefully selected comfortable hiking clothes. When I arrived at the designated friend’s driveway a little early, Karen was standing there waiting. “Hey, Jennifer, I’m glad that you can come to hike,” she said cheerfully and hugged me. When the others joined us, we started walking. I was sweaty and a little out of breath before we even started going uphill.
注意：1．续写词数应为150个左右；2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“So, where did you hike in Oregon?” one of them asked, offering me a bottle of water.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________By accepting the invitation to hike that day, I received a lot.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A Regret
As I sat on the couch, my heart was filled with guilt. I recalled how terrible my mistake was, regretting my every move.
It was finally the start of the school holidays. As soon as I reached home, I jumped into my bed. “Freedom!” I shouted with joy.
“Tim, stop relaxing. Didn’t you say that you wanted to learn how to skate? Your father bought you a new skateboard. He will start teaching you tomorrow!” my mother said with delight. Immediately, I jumped out of my bed and sped downstairs. Lying on the dining table was a wonderful skateboard with my name carved on it. The colours, shape and size of each pattern were incredible.
“Can I start now?” I questioned impatiently. My mum shook her head and firmly said that it was too dangerous. A frown (皱眉) filled my face. Disappointed, I took my new skateboard up to my room.
As I stared at the window, I realized how perfect the weather was. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing. There were not many people as well. “No one will know that I stole out secretly and it will not be dangerous. There aren’t many people anyway!” Without hesitation, I tiptoed out of the house. “I can’t wait any longer! I can’t wait!” I spoke to myself in a whisper.
At a nearby park, I placed the skateboard on the ground. Despite being clueless on how to skate, I found a creative way to do so. One of my favourite moves was sitting on the skateboard, with two hands on it, using my legs to move forward.
Not long after, I crowned myself “Master of Skating”. I finally got the hang of it and was skating all around. “My method is amazing!” I announced. At that moment, I saw a long and steep slope (陡坡). My face lit up and I quickly headed towards it. I was filled with confidence to the edge. I flew down the slope with excitement and joy.
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 a six-year-old boy rushed into my path because his ball had rolled away.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Fortunately, his injuries were minor and not infected but I got severely lectured by my parents.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mrs Thompson, who was in her seventies, lived alone in her old house, with her children and grandchildren living far away in a big city. Every day, she would sit by her window, watching the world go by. Next to her house lived an eight-year-old boy named Sam. Sam seemed to be always busy. He would go to school, come home, do his homework, and then rush off to his part-time job at a local flower store. He was saving up to buy a new bike for traveling to and from school and his part-time job. His parents struggled with money, so Sam wanted to offer his help any way he could.
One day, Mrs Thompson noticed that Sam seemed sad. She called him over and asked, “You seem to be unhappy. What’s wrong, dear? Is everything okay at school? Do you need help with any of your homework?”
Sam hesitated, and then said, “I have a big test coming up, but I don’t have time to study. I have to work part-time at that flower store every day after school.”
Mrs Thompson thought for a moment. “How about this?” she offered. “I can help you. Come over after school, and I’ll watch over you while you study. I can even make some snacks for you.”
Sam’s eyes lit up. “Really? That would be very amazing, Mrs Thompson!”
And so, it began. Every day after school, Sam would come over to Mrs Thompson’s house. She would prepare some delicious cookies or a sandwich for him, and quietly, he would sit at her old wooden table and study. Mrs Thompson would knit or read a book, occasionally helping Sam with a tough question.
As the days went by, Sam’s grades improved gradually. He and Mrs Thompson became close friends. They would talk about everything—from his dreams of going to college to her memories of her youth.
注意：1.续写词数应为150个左右；
2.请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
One day, Sam came home from his job to find a new bike waiting for him.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Years passed, and Sam went off to college.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A boy named Stevens was addicted to the Internet at a secondary boarding school. The online games were so interesting and attracted him so much that he had no interest in his study and life. He even often slipped out of the school dormitory in the middle of the night to go online.
After slipping out at midnight several times, he was caught by the school guards who were on duty. So his problem was exposed to the school and his parents. He was called to the head teacher’s office for a serious face-to-face chat. He surely knew as a student, he should give priority to learning, but he just couldn’t control himself. After several attempts, the teacher shook his head in disappointment. His father, a construction worker, had to leave work and took several buses to the school and had several chats with him. But the attraction of the games was still there, making him hard to sleep at night, so he just kept slipping out of the school as before. His classmates who knew this would always shook their heads and sighed (叹气).
One cold day, Stevens’ father came to the school again to pay his school fees. The father tried to find some words with the son, but only “Take care of yourself”. On the same night, Stevens still couldn’t resist the games and slipped out of the dormitory secretly. He climbed over the wall as usual, but rushed to climb back immediately. He looked frightened when he came back, but he didn’t say anything.
After that, he studied hard and stopped leaving school to go online. There was even a rumor (传闻) at the time that he saw a ghost. Everyone was curious to know what had happened that night, but Stevens always kept silent. He simply devoted himself to his study. Surely, hard work paid off. Later, he was admitted to a key university.
At the farewell(告别) party, his former classmates kept asking him about that night. He kept silent for a long time and eventually told everyone what had happened.
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。
He said there was a man sleeping at the foot of the wall.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________He felt deeply sorry and guilty, and made up his mind to study hard.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Several years ago, I sat in my first-grade classroom. The loudspeaker in the classroom came on, calling me to the principal’s (校长的) office. The PRINCIPAL’S office! As I walked to the office, my six-year-old little life flashed before my eyes. What did I do?
I was a shy kid. I hated to be noticed or singled out. For me, being called to the principal’s office was a bad dream come to life. My black-and-white shoes scraped (蹭着) the floor as I walked ever so slowly to the office.
“Diane, the principal is not ready for you yet. Please have a seat,” said the school secretary.
I climbed up onto the sofa and settled as low as I could into the cushions (垫子). After a while, the secretary told me to go in.
I pushed open the heavy door. It was worse than I thought. Seated in front of the principal’s desk were my parents. I wouldn’t learn the real reason why they were there until years later.
My father walked straight over to me. He held plenty of my drawings, and asked why I only used a black crayon when I drew. I couldn’t speak. All I could do was shrug (耸肩)my bony shoulders. My father then asked me to show him my desk.
We returned to my classroom. It was break time so all my classmates were out on the playground. I nervously pointed to my wooden desk. My father pulled out my crayon box. He emptied the contents into his hand. Only one small piece of a crayon rested in his hand - it was black. My father asked where the rest of my crayons were. I quietly explained that I’d given all the other crayons to friends. I’d been sharing like my parents had taught me.
My father let out a deep controlled breath, “You were sharing.” I nodded my head. I was too afraid to admit that I only had one crayon. I was too timid (胆小的) to ask for my “shared” crayons back. Because I didn’t stand up for myself, others assumed the worst.
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 looked at my father, then at the principal--both their faces were red.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
That night, my father had a heartfelt conversation with me about the difference between “sharing” and “giving”.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Isla and I were studying in the same school. We had been friends since we were six years old. I took Isla as a smart, funny friend, but not all students at our school did, especially the girl students. Girls in our school wore fashionable branded clothes, but Isla sewed hers and her curly hair and thick glasses made her look like a fish, which made her stand out like a sore thumb(招眼).
For me, sometimes I felt embarrassed to be around Isla, particularly when students said rude words about her hair, clothes, glasses—even about the fact that she got really good grades. Isla always seemed to be able to ignore what other students thought, but I couldn’t. I began to distance myself from her.
Our school had a tradition—there was a talent show every spring. Students would sing, dance, play musical instruments, and do whatever they could to show their talents. Being our graduation season in this senior school, this year’s talent show would be obviously different. It would be a huge night.
Ava, who was an outgoing girl, invited me to be on her dance team. “We win the talent show every year, and we expect a satisfactory graduation this year,” Ava said to me excitedly. “We need a new dancer. But only you, not her!” Ava pointed to someone behind me.
I didn’t need to turn around to see who she meant. “Oh, I see,” I said quietly. Ava had hardly headed out when someone tapped on my shoulder. It was Isla. When I saw her confused face, it was like waking up from a dream. Isla asked me eagerly, “Emily, are you going to take part in the talent show?” I hesitated without response. “That’s great, Emily!” Isla told me without waiting for my answer that she was also going to participate this year. I couldn’t believe what I had heard. I started to worry about her when I imagined that she was in front of a huge crowd, and that everybody would laugh at her.
Time passed quickly, and I had barely seen Isla since then. For me, I had to practice hard every day with Ava and the team to keep up since the other dancers had already known the steps.
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。
Ultimately, it was my turn to perform, and I felt extremely nervous.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I stepped off the stage and expressed my thanks to Isla, who was ready to sing.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I should not have dressed up. Obviously, no other fifth grader had felt driven to celebrate the first day of school via fancy clothing. So I stood out not just as a newcomer, but as an awkwardly dressed one. Scratching at black tights with the toe of my sneaker, I paused uncertainly in the doorway of the Writing Room.
Pausing uncertainly, however, was not the way of the world of Mr. Matthews. This red-haired, red-beard, red-faced man seemed to call wildly to me to enter. I walked over to a seat and in three minutes of casual observation I was convinced that I had never known an adult like him. He laughed from his belly, moved his ears on request, and his face then turned even redder. His students loved him; it was evident from the way they greeted him to the way they relaxed when they entered his room.
On the contrary, I was not relaxed. I was uninterested in writing. My only previous writing experience had been in cloth-covered books with more room for pictures than print. I had no idea what to expect from a class that was just called "Writing", but I was certain I wasn't going to like it.
注意：1.续写词数应为150个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Yet Mr. Matthews spent that first class entertaining us.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________That night, despite having dealt with a word processor all of twice in my life, I wrote with passion.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The day that I met my best friend for the first time, I was anxiously reviewing for an important exam in the local library. Because I kept being disturbed by others, I was unable to make any progress, The last straw was when I heard someone singing behind me. I turned around and gave the person a dirty look. It was a tall girl about the same age as me and she had a slight smile on her face. Standing near the “English Literature” section, she seemed to be looking for a book. “How could she be so selfish (自私的)?” I thought angrily.
I picked up my books, looked into her eyes and said angrily, “Please be considerate in public. I’ve been unable to study because of your terrible singing”
I still hate thinking of that moment. Let me tell you the rest of the story though.
Two hours later, I realized I’d forgotten my most important textbook in the library. What was worse, the library had already closed. I was close to tears. Just then, the phone rang. A soft voice introduced the speaker as Li Hua and asked if I was Jane. After confirming that I was, she told me that she had noticed my book in the library. As my phone number was in it, she called and told me she didn’t live far away and could bring it to me.
Paragraph 1: I sighed (叹息) with relief and agreed to meet her at the store down the road.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2: Can you believe we became best friends?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I was having a hard weekend. My husband left two days ago for a business trip, and it was our first separation in ten years of marriage. I slept through my alarm after a rough night’s sleep, and the first thing I saw upon looking at my phone was that the cast list was just posted for a community musical I recently auditioned (试镜) for, and I was not on it. All told, I was starting my day lonely and discouraged.
In addition, I was behind on my work-from-home job—even more so now that I’d overslept—so I put in a Meituan order, which included a drink, a piece of bread, and four cake pops from a coffee shop before sitting down in my home office to work.
I live in a gated community, which ensures the safety and privacy of its residents. Given this, whenever I place an order for delivery, I provide detailed instructions to ensure smooth access for the deliveryman. Therefore, in the delivery instructions that accompany every order I place, I make sure to include the gate code for entrance. Moreover, I provide specific instructions on how to make the exit gate work, as some drivers have found it difficult.
About ten minutes after putting in my order, I received a message from the delivery driver who was picking up my order.
Driver: “Hi, Ms Jennet! I just picked up your order at the Coffee Shop, and I’m on my way! I delivered something to you a few days ago, so don’t worry. I know the way and the instructions! I will be there as soon as possible!”
I responded, “Awesome! Drive safe!”
Less than five minutes later, I got another message from the driver, “Just delivered! Enjoy your meal and have a great day!”
注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；2. 按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
I headed for my front door and found a bag with my order as well as a little bag of candy.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As I enjoyed the candy, I couldn’t help but feel grateful and decided to pay it forward.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Bobby, my brother, and I would spend our usual Saturday with Grandpa, cleaning his house. Mom would take us to his home in the early morning. Since childhood, Bobby and I had been spending the day dusting, mopping and changing the sheets on his bed.
Grandpa grew up in a poor family. His dad died when he was a teenager. Then he had tol eave school, run the family farm and raise his brother and sister. He worked as a nightdoor keeper for a company within walking distance of his home, and the highlight of his week was the reward that he gave my brother and me for cleaning. And it was the moment when we felt the happiest.
This Saturday, after Bobby and I finished cleaning, Grandpa decided to invite us to dinner. When we finally arrived at his favorite restaurant, the waitresses greeted him as along-lost elder. Their smiles and waves followed us to our favorite table as we placed our orders. And then we laughed and ate. Grandpa praised how well we had cleaned his place, telling anyone who would like to listen about every task we had accomplished.
Regardless of who was serving us at the time, each of the other waitresses would come up to say “hi” to Grandpa and congratulate his grandkids on their work. It was a restaurant, but it was like our home. When dinner was over, the waitress would bring the check and hand it to Grandpa. This time, it was Gloria that bent close to him, and told him the amount of the check.
Grandpa carefully dug into the pocket of his trousers and brought out a worn coin purse. He carefully laid out the coins and paid the bill. Then he gave Gloria a tip, but it wasn’t enough. I was ashamed that he got the amount of the tip wrong, and we were embarrassed. I was about to say something when Gloria grabbed my hands. “Come and get some flowers, today’s gifts, Susie,” she said as she led me toward the counter.
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 want you to listen carefully, Susie,” Gloria said to me seriously.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I listened to Gloria and stared at those flowers, deep in thought.
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