Doubts clouded my mind as I into that new world, Parsons School of Design. But fate had a plan, introducing me to Kathleen, who would become my guiding light.
I remember feeling out of place on my first day at Parsons, questioning everything from my outfit to my abilities. As I walked in and scanned the classroom, my vision sharply stopped on one person. Wow. She looked cool. I plopped myself down next to her and introduced myself as Dorri, thrilled when she smiled and said, “Hi. I’m Kathleen.” That was all it took.
What a difference Kathleen made in my school life! Her confidence, discipline, and responsibility were worlds away from my shaky, wild, and lazy nature. We became inseparable, signing up for the same classes, and I was always trying to earn her approval.
One day the homework assignment was to create an exciting illustration based on a pair of shoes. Bursting with ideas, I pulled out my favorite pair of antique thrift shop “old-lady shoes” and poured my heart into the project. Proud of my work, I rushed to Kathleen’s apartment to show her my creation, holding up my paper with glowing confidence. But Kathleen’s reaction was unexpected, crushing my pride with a single question: “Is that the only drawing you did?”
“Well, yes,” I responded sheepishly, “Why?”
“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go to Washington Square Park and really do some drawings.” I was puzzled, but when she led, I willingly followed, with my pad tucked under my arm.
As we made our way to the park, Kathleen enthusiastically talked about form, content, and composition and stressed the significance of observing subjects closely. She described the shoes in my drawing as the kind worn by elderly women who frequent the park to feed pigeons. That moment, she taught me to look closely and recreate diligently.
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: At the park, Kathleen pointed to a bench with a napping old woman and said, “Here, draw her shoes repeatedly.”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2: The next day was the class feedback session.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Trust your bad luck
Before this time, I usually buy a first class train ticket. That is necessary! Because this is one of the most crowded and poorest region in the world, I am afraid that there are no seats in the general class. Unluckily, this time I was running late. I was informed there was no first class seating available, so I was forced to buy a general ticket.
The general coach was extremely crowded. Smell of sweat and sighs from tired bodies troubled me. I stepped over people sitting on the floor, asking them to make a little space for me to stand, but nobody moved. Finally, I had to shout at two poor people to make a standing place near the gate for me. As several hours passed, I continued changing the pressure on my legs, one by one, to ease the pain of standing. The entire time, I cursed(咒骂) in my heart, “Damn! Bad luck has ruined my day!”
Suddenly, at about 3 am, a strange sound woke me up. I scanned the coach. Everyone was sleeping. Hadn’t anyone else heard it? Beside the train gate, I noticed an empty space. That space wasn’t there before. I’d know it. For the entire journey, I’d stood just four meters from that gate. If there had been a space, I would have taken it. My mind raced. No! A young man was sleeping there just now. I shouted, “Pull the emergency chain!” I was nowhere near the chain.
A group of people awoke in surprise. “What’s going on?” They quizzed. “I think someone accidentally fell off the train.” I replied. Those men sitting near the chain stared wide-eyed, motionless, for fear of facing a fine or punishment. So I struggled through the crowd, reached for that emergency chain and pulled it. Finally, the train stopped.
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。
Within seconds, a policeman rushed forward, “Who touched the emergency chain?”
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It was the young man! He was lying alongside the track, injured.
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I should have been content and happy. I was newly married and had a well-paid job at a stock brokerage firm (证券经纪公司). I was surrounded by good friends and lived in one of the most beautiful cities in the country. But I didn’t feel fulfilled. Every day, after coming home from work, I was depressed. The work itself was fine. My co-workers were wonderful. I just didn’t feel like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.
After a few weeks and many discussions with my husband, he asked, “If you could do anything in the world you wanted to do, what would it be?” Without hesitation, I spoke out, “I’d be a hairstylist!”
I was a receptionist at a hair salon when I was a teenager. I loved that job! The majority of my tasks were unskilled. I folded towels, s wept hair, and wrapped the cape (披肩) around the customer. But, most of the time, I listened and talked to people all day long! Some clients talked because they lived alone and had no one else to talk to. We talked about everything. I learned about their families. Their work. Their home life. I loved it. Every bit of it.
But at the job I had, there was none of that. I worked with numbers. And computers. And papers. Lots and lots of papers.
And so it went. Every day, I went to work. Every day, I came home feeling unfulfilled. And each night, I thought more and more about switching careers. At the end of each daydream, I talked myself out of the idea. It was too much work to start a new career. I would be crazy to give up my well-paid job with health insurance. I would have to go to school again. It would take too long to build a clientele (客户群). Its disadvantages outweighed its advantages!
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 had nearly forgotten about my wish when I had a dream one night.
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On my way to work, the happy “I” in my dream kept shouting, “I am to be a hairstylist.”
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In the classroom of Class 7, Grade 8, students were excited about an upcoming event. The school had organized a speech competition titled “Ways to Become Successful,” and many students were eager to showcase their public speaking skills. Among them was 13-year-old Zora, who, had already won two speech contests and was full of confidence that she could win again.
Zora volunteered to represent her class in the competition, and after a round of voting, she was chosen as the class representative. Although there were only seven days left until the big day, Zora felt a sense of ease about the competition. After all, she had been here before and knew what it took to win.
At home, Zora’s father congratulated her on her achievement, while her mother reminded her to take the competition seriously. Despite her parents’ advice, Zora was convinced that her past successes meant this would be a walk in the park. Her teacher also urged her to prepare diligently, but Zora only sought help once to revise her initial draft.
As the days went by, Zora did not put in the necessary effort to refine her speech. When the day of the competition arrived, she was hit with a sudden wave of panic. She couldn’t remember the content of her speech, and as she stepped onto the stage, her anxiety only grew. After delivering the opening lines, she froze, unable to continue. The supportive applause from the audience only added to her confusion, leaving no room for her to recall her prepared words.
Zora struggled through the rest of her speech, finishing it in a state of embarrassment and shame. As she walked off the stage, she saw the disappointment in her teacher’s eyes and felt the letdown from her classmates. It was a heavy burden to bear.
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。
Back at home, Zora could no longer hold back her tears.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The next day, Zora went to school and apologized to her class.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“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.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________One summer day, I decided to go for a walk in the nearby forest. I had my backpack prepared with water, food, and sunscreen. I was excited to spend some time in nature, away from the busy city.
The forest was attractive, with towering trees that seemed to touch the sky and colorful wildflowers under my feet. I walked deeper into the woods, attracted by the pleasant sounds of birds. The path I followed was winding and narrow, but I paid little attention, carried away by the beauty. I started to notice that the trees around me looked unfamiliar. Soon I found myself lost. I realized that I had no idea which way to go.
The sun was setting and I knew that I needed to find a way out before it got dark. I started walking, trying to remember which direction I had come from. But the forest was a maze (迷宫) of winding paths, and I soon found myself going in circles. Every tree looked the same, and every path seemed to lead nowhere.
The sound of leaves made me jump. Was it a wild animal? My heart was racing and I tried to stay calm as I listened for other sounds. But there was only silence, broken now and then by the distant calls of birds.
As the sun set, I fully understood the seriousness of my situation. There was no food or water left. I was completely alone, lost in a wilderness that could easily devour (吞噬) me. I walked nervously, tripping over things in my path, feeling frightened with a racing heartbeat. Hours passed, or maybe only minutes. Time had lost all meaning in this place.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
But then, as I was about to give up hope, I saw a weak light in the distance.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The house s owner welcomed me inside.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________We had moved to a new town for my husband’s work. After living here for just a couple of weeks, I was more than ready to pick up my luggage and move back home. I was lonely for a friend. My boy Samuel was lonely. My husband, Lonny, adapted just fine, but he was occupied with work most of the time.
I missed our old neighborhood. It had been like a closely knitted community where neighbors chatted over fences. Newcomers were welcomed with chocolate brownies (巧克力蛋糕) and carrot bread. It had been easy to find friends there.
Our new community was different. It seemed that family roots grew deep. Deep as the Mississippi River that flowed past this tiny river town. Breaking in was tough.
“I’m so alone here,” I said to Lonny one evening. Lonny is a good listener, and a problem solver. “What have you done to meet people?” he asked. “I go to the park every day. I even dropped by a book salon (读书沙龙) at the library the other day and came across a nice lady with a boy.”
“Sounds not bad,” he said. “Did you talk to her?” The answer was no. It wasn’t that people here were unkind. I just didn’t feel like initiating conversations, and I preferred minding my own business in a new environment.
A few more months passed and winter settled in. It was harder than ever to meet people. I began to feel bitter. I was tired of trying to fit in a place where we didn’t belong.
Lonny noticed my low spirits. “Amy, you look unapproachable, with your arms crossed and everything,” he whispered in my ear one afternoon. He and I were sitting in the yard. Samuel, our five-year-old was playing baseball next to us.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to have friends here.” Just then Samuel looked up. He must’ve heard our whispers. “Mom’s right, Dad. We’ll never ever have friends here. And we just want to go back to our old home.” I sat there and looked at my tiny innocent son. His words mirrored my attitude. And I didn’t like the disturbing reflection.
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。
That’s when I knew that I needed an adjustment.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________One afternoon, Samuel and I ran into the lady with her boy again at the library.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________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.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1．简述图表内容;
2．强调运动重要性;
3．倡议积极运动。
注意：
1．写作词数80左右;
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Survey on Physical Activity among Senior 3
In a big city lived a girl named Amy. She was a clever and lively child, but her heart was often clouded by dissatisfaction. Whenever she saw other children playing with new dolls or dressed in fancy outfits, Amy’s eyes would sparkle with envy and she wished she had them too.
So she always asked her mother, “Mom, can I have this?” or “Mom, can I have that?” If her mom didn’t satisfy her need, Amy would respond with endless complaints or tears. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t possess what she desired.
Her mother, a wise and loving woman, tried to reason with Amy. She explained that Amy already had so many toys and clothes. She said, “Amy, you’re lucky to have so much. Learn to be happy with what you have.” But Amy’s ears were deaf to her mother’s words. She could only see what she lacked, and her heart remained heavy with dissatisfaction.
Amy’s discontentment affected her social life at high school. Her bad temper and constant complaints about what she lacked made it difficult for her to make friends. When Amy saw her desk mate Lily using new stationery (文具), she immediately said, “I have better ones.” Once, hearing some girls talking about their new dresses, she interrupted rudely, “My mom will buy me the same one, even nicer.” Other kids couldn’t bear her attitude and kept away from her gradually, which made Amy feel more lonely and unhappy.
When Amy told her mother the “unfair treatment” she faced at school, her mother was deeply concerned about her. She knew that Amy’s constant dissatisfaction was not appropriate and would eventually ruin her happiness completely. “Something must be done.” she thought. After deep consideration, she decided to take a different approach. One day, she invited Amy to join her in volunteering at a local charity that helped the children there in need. Initially, Amy refused, but her mother’s determined attitude persuaded her successfully.
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 they arrived at the charity, Amy’s eyes were opened to a world she had never known.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________That voluntary experience and the conversation with the children changed Amy’s life.
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