When You Snooze (贪睡), You Lose!
Last Wednesday, I set my alarm for seven o’clock in the morning, just like I always did. But I’d gone to bed a little later than usual, so when it went off, I rolled over and hit the snooze button, thinking I’d have five more minutes of sleep before I got up. For some reason, the snooze alarm didn’t go off. When I saw that it was 7:45, I couldn’t believe it!
Since I was late, I skipped breakfast, and I didn’t make the bed or straighten up my room even though it was part of the “house rules”.
I ran as fast as I could to catch the school bus, but even so, I missed it. Luckily for me, my father hadn’t left for work yet, so I asked him for a ride to school. He wasn’t too happy about it because it meant he would be late for an appointment he had set up. So he was annoyed with me, especially since it was the second time in two weeks that I had missed the school bus. We rode to school in total silence.
By the time I got to school, the bell had already rung, so I had to go to the office to get a “late pass” before I could be admitted to class. That’s when I remembered that I hadn’t asked my father to write a note for my being late. He’d been in such a bad mood, and I knew that this was especially directed at me, so I decided there was no way I could call him now. Besides, he was sure to be in his meeting.
So, there I was, sitting out the first hour in the principal’s office. Things were really starting to snowball but it was only the beginning. Since I was absent from my first-hour class, I missed my science test. My teacher said I couldn’t make up the test since I was absent without leave. But I really needed that test to improve my grade point average. My dad promised to give me half of the money for a car if my grades improved by the end of this semester. So I started thinking about not being able to buy a car, and I got even more upset.
续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。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:
Then I was preparing for my second-hour class when I discovered my math book was missing.
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Knowing I would surely be scolded for my skipping class, I went home in fear.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________When I was little, like many others, my family was so poor. All my clothes were hand-me-downs and my shoes were worn out. The shoes were only cast aside when they were too broken. I had a sister then. She and her family had moved west and settled down in Colorado. When she could, she helped out by sending us their old clothes.
One day, shortly before Thanksgiving, a package arrived from my sister. All of us eagerly gathered around as my mother opened it. Among the items inside, there was a pair of shoes that caught our attention. They were brown with pointy toes, unlike anything we had seen before. I wondered why my sister had chosen to send such unusual shoes.
My mother handed me the shoes, apologizing for the lack of options and explaining that I would have to make do with them as winter approached. The shoes were different from what I was used to, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and disappointment, unsure of how I would be seen by others.
The next day, I wore the shoes and went to school, anxious. When I reached the schoolyard, Timmy, a classmate, yelled, “Evan’s wearing girls’ shoes!” Instantly, the other kids turned their attention to me, and I hurried to the classroom, hoping to escape their judgment and trying to hide my feet.
By mid-morning, we were talking about the West. At about this time, our principal, Mr. Weber came into our classroom and joined the discussion. He excitedly talked about cowboys’ lives, “I remember the cowboys and their unique style. One thing that always stood out was their oxford shoes(牛津鞋).” Then he paused with his gaze fixed on my shoes.
Paragraph 1:Suddenly he stopped near my desk and went silent.
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Paragraph 2:
Hearing Mr. Weber’s words, I looked down at my shoes, recalling my sister’s help for our family.
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Leo and Alex were close friends. They had been friends since childhood, sharing countless memories, and growing up side by side. They were as close as siblings, sharing countless happy moments and supporting each other through thick and thin. However, one fateful day, a misunderstanding tore them apart, leaving their friendship in shreds.
Leo was a die-hard fan of the local football team, the Metropolis Eagles, while Alex was passionate about the city’s rival team, the Metrostars. Their differing loyalties often led to lively debates and friendly jokes, but it never affected their friendship. Until one fateful game day.
The Metropolis Eagles were playing against the Metrostars, and Leo and Alex were both determined to watch the game together. However, when the game got intense and the score was tied, Leo’s and Alex’s passions boiled over. Leo accused Alex of favoring the other team, while Alex felt Leo was being unreasonably stubborn. The argument escalated (升级) quickly, and words were exchanged that neither of them would soon forget. “You’ve gone too far. I don’t want to see you again,” thundered Leo. Both friends were left feeling hurt and disappointed.
The next day, there were heated discussions about the game, but Leo and Alex avoided each other like the plague (瘟疫). Leo deeply regretted what he had said and wanted to apologize, but pride got in the way. Weeks passed, and the silence between them grew deafening.
One day, while walking home from school, Leo came across a lost dog. He couldn’t help but notice the collar around the dog’s neck, with a tag that read “Alex’s Best Friend.” Leo realized this dog was Alex’s.
注意：1．续写词数应为150左右；
2．请按如下格式在答题卡上相应位置作答。
At that moment, Leo was in a difficult position.
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With a deep breath, Leo knocked on Alex’s door.
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4 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
Mary was fond of outdoor activities, especially the beauty of nature. She would often spend her weekends hiking, biking, or simply taking long walks in the countryside. She had a group of close friends who shared the same enthusiasm for the outdoors.
One day, while enjoying a cup of coffee at a local cafe, Mary’s friend Jenny approached her with an exciting idea. “Mary, have you ever thought about stargazing (观星) in the wilderness?” Jenny asked, her eyes shining with excitement. Mary’s eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face. “Stargazing? That sounds incredible! Count me in,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with expectation.
The plan was set for a cool evening when the sky would be at its clearest. As the day turned into night, the two friends gathered their warmest clothes, packed some snacks and hot chocolate, and set off on their adventure. They began their journey from Mary’s house.
As they walked hand in hand, their breath turned into misty clouds in the cool night air. The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, casting a darkness on their path. But instead of feeling scared, they felt a rush of excitement washing over them. The stillness of the night, broken only by the soft whispers of the wind, brought a newfound peace to their mind.
They walked through the streets, little by little, the city lights faded, and the stars above became increasingly obvious. They couldn’t help but feel amazed by the countless stars that decorated the sky. They decided not to choose the well-known path and wandered deeper into the wilderness. Fireflies (萤火虫) danced gracefully, lighting up the night sky.
Mary’s eyes widened with childlike wonder as she watched the tiny creatures create their magical light show. Absorbed in chats and laughter, they failed to notice when the familiar sights started to disappear, slowly getting swallowed by the tall trees of the forest.
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。
Suddenly, Mary’s heart skipped a beat as she realized they had lost their way.
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Determined, the two friends set off, guided by the light of the North Star.
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My fear of performing started early on in my life. I was a shy child who preferred staying in the background and avoiding attention. However, as I grew older, I realized that I had a hidden desire to express myself creatively and share my talents with others. This desire led me to find out various art forms, including music, dance, and theater.
But I used to struggle with stage fright. Whenever I was asked to perform in front of others, I would feel a sense of dread (惧怕) and anxiety, and my body would tense up. I would worry about making mistakes, forgetting my lines, or embarrassing (使尴尬、难堪) myself in front of others.
I remember very well my first audition (试演) for a school play. The play was a musical adaptation (改编) of a classic fairy tale, and I was excited about the chance to be a part of it. However, as the audition day approached, my excitement turned into anxiety. I started to doubt myself, and I started to question whether I was ready to take on such a demanding (要求高的) role. Despite my doubts, I decided to go through with the audition, hoping to overcome my fear and prove to myself that I could perform.
The day of the audition arrived, and I stood nervously in front of the audiences. I could feel my heart racing and my palms sweating as I prepared to sing my song and deliver my lines.
However, as I started to perform, something excellent and unusual happened. I fully put myself in the role I was playing and felt a sense of freedom and joy that I had never experienced before. I began to lose myself in the moment, and didn’t feel nervous and anxious. When the audition was over, I was surprised to learn I had been chosen to play a leading role. I was both excited and worried at the same time, but I knew I had to push through my fear and give it my all.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为90左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Since then, performing became an important part of my life.
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Jack and Dane were great friends. Every evening they played together. They studied in the same class in the same school. They were good students.
One evening, Jack and Dane were playing with a ball. After a while, Jack said, “I am so bored. Shall we go for fishing in the river?” “That is a great idea.” replied Dane.
Jack called out to his mother, “Mama, we are going fishing in the river, okay?”
“Okay,” Jack’s mother said, “but be careful not to get into the water. Your father said there are crocodiles in the river.”
Both the children said that they would not get into the river. They gathered their fishing lines with the hooks (钩), and a can full of fish food. They headed to the river, and soon began fishing.
However, even after a long time, they did not get any fish. They began to feel bored again. “This river looks not so deep. Why does mother say not to swim here?” asked Jack.
“Remember, your mother said there are crocodiles here.” said Dane.
“Well, I don’t find any.” said Jack.
Dane was quiet for a while. Finally he asked, “Do you think we can swim?”
Jack jumped up and shouted excitedly, “Yes, let us swim. Come on, dive.”
The two friends dove in, and splashed (泼水) around happily. They found some logs of wood floating on the river, and tried floating with them. It was then that something unexpected happened.
Dane was playing with a log of wood, and suddenly, the log was caught in a strong current (水流), and he was hit in the head. He became unconscious immediately.
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。
Jack saw what happened, and he swam fast to his friend’s rescue.
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Suddenly, a loud splash was heard.
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A warm, sunny day in early November, especially in the Sierras, was a nice surprise. One look at the cloudless blue sky was all it took to convince me to drive twenty miles into the valley to do early Christmas shopping.
Temperatures in the valley are between eight and ten degrees higher than those in the foothills where we live, so I enjoyed the warmth and sunshine as I walked from store to store. Around sunset, I searched through my purse for my cellphone, only to discover it wasn’t there. After a frustrating search I finally found it under the car seat and sighed with relief.
I called my husband and heard the panic in his voice. ”I’ve been trying to call you. It started snowing up here half an hour ago, “he shouted into the phone.
“Well. I’ll stop and put the chains on when I get up there so I can make it home,” I sighed. My husband coughed nervously and cleared his throat. “Uh, I forgot to put the chains back in the trunk when I cleaned the car out yesterday,” he said. I resisted the urge to scream. “I think you can make it home if you leave now and drive slowly following the tire tracks in the road when you get to the snow,” my husband said before I hung up.
I drove slowly toward the 2600-foot elevation(高地) where we lived. My biggest challenge would be to get over the bridge, then up the hill on the other side. The snow was falling harder when I reached the bridge. I blinked back tears.
A truck was driving across the bridge ahead of me. My hopes soared. Those big tires would make a good path through the snow. The path from the truck tires helped until I reached the end of the bridge and started up the hill. The tires started spinning and the car started to slide back down the hill.
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。
When my car finally stopped, I heard someone rapping on the window.
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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In a small town, there lived a young elementary school student named Timmy, whose lateness had become his worst trait (特点) in his school.
Every school morning, he struggled to get out of bed, often finding himself rushing through breakfast and forgetting important things like his homework or lunchbox. Meanwhile, his classmates would glance at the empty seat beside them, exchanging knowing looks as the clock ticked pa st the start of the class. When Timmy finally arrived, he would often find himself the center of attention, and his cheeks red with embarrassment as he apologised. Deep down, Timmy felt a growing sense of discomfort and shame about his habitual lateness. His teachers and classmates were concerned about the effect of his constant lateness on his studies.
One day, Timmy’s class teacher, Mrs. Johnson, decided to solve the issue. She approached Timmy with a gentle smile, “Timmy, can we talk about something important?”
Timmy looked up and replied, a bit nervous, “Sure, Mrs. Johnson.”
She crouched (蹲下) down to his level, speaking softly but seriously and sincerely, “I’ve noticed you’ve been late for class quite often. Do you know being on time is very important?”
Timmy lowered his head and said, “Yes, but...”
Mrs. Johnson continued, “Being on time helps you not miss out on your lessons. It’s also about respect for your classmates and me. When you’re late, it can disrupt (打乱) the whole class. We all miss you when you’re not here on time.”
Timmy nodded and said, a look of understanding on his face, “I didn’t realize it was affecting everyone. I’ll try to be better, Mrs. Johnson. But I have difficulty waking up and getting out of bed. Every morning when my alarm clock sounded, I hit the snooze (小睡) button, just 10 more minutes. Then 10 minutes later, another 10 minutes. That’s why I am always late for school.”
“Don’t worry. We’re all here to help you,” Mrs. Johnson said, offering a comforting smile.
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 talk, Mrs. Johnson, along with Timmy’s classmates, came up with a plan to help him.
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Soon Timmy’s change was obvious.
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As an independent, self-reliant person who always handled everything by myself, I didn’t expect parenting to be hard. Oh, sure, it’s difficult for other people. I heard parents complaining all the time — kids are challenging; nothing is ever clean; there’s not enough time in the day to do everything. But that was “other people” and I knew I could handle it. How complicated could it be?
I’d always dreamed of adopting a child, and finally my dream came true one summer afternoon. Even though we had requested only one child, the worker asked, “Could you take another baby and his eleven-year-old brother?” Of course, we could. We had room to have all three boys together.
The first week after they moved in, I spent my days rushing from task to task, cleaning and making sure they had all they needed. I constantly organized our living room, which was suddenly full of toys, and picked up the path of destruction left in the boys’ wake. Cooking and cleaning after meals and snacks seemed to take half of my day. I hardly ever sat; something always needed to be done.
“I think we need a break,” my husband told me one evening as I was falling asleep on the couch as usual.
“No,” I refused. The idea of sending them to a stranger sickened me. However, with each passing day, I was growing more and more exhausted. Besides meeting the physical needs of the boys, there were medical and emotional needs. Both the little ones constantly clung (黏住) to me. It was never quiet in our house; I felt overwhelmed.
One night, my husband said firmly that he needed a break. Whether I “needed” one or not, we were going to take one. With tears rolling down my cheeks, I nodded, knowing it was true, although I didn’t want to admit my weakness.
I called my parents.
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Asking for help is something I must keep re-learning as time goes on, but it’s getting easier.
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Beth was in hospital with viral pneumonia (肺炎). She felt down and she missed her parents terribly, who were far away in Europe on business. She lay in her bed crying when one nurse came in and recognized her sadness and loneliness. The nurse looked at the pale little girl worriedly, knowing that one of the greatest setbacks to recovery is often depression. Like the rest of the medical staff, she was overworked and couldn’t sit and keep Beth company all the time. Then she had a brilliant idea! Maybe she could kill two birds with one stone! Just at the end of the corridor (走廊), she had a patient who was just as lonely as Beth...
The nurse walked into Georgiana Halston’s room and smiled, “Didn’t you tell me you have a granddaughter, Mrs Halston?” Georgiana, who was lying on the bed and looking listlessly (没精打采地) out of the window, sighed. “Yes. I have a 7-year-old granddaughter, but she is in Canada. And she hardly calls me, because I don’t know what she like and she think it boring to chat with me.”
“Well,” the nurse said. “I have a 7-year-old down the corridor who is very lonely and needs a friend. I wonder if you could cheer her up a bit and be that friend?”
“But my leg hurts,” Georgiana said. “I can’t walk. You know that.”
“I know that your doctor want you out of bed and to walk around,” the nurse retorted. “If you don’t move, you’ll end up bedridden!”
Georgiana had been diagnosed with a form of bone disease and got a big operation. She was still in bed, but she should be up to exercise her leg. However, the truth is that she was afraid her leg would suffer terrible pain. After the nurse left, Georgiana lay on her bed for a long time, feeling sad for herself. Georgiana looked at the walker next to her bed and sighed. The matter of the lonely little girl haunted her.
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。
Then Georgiana picked her walker and headed for the girl’s room.
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A while later, the nurse appeared in Beth’s room.
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