On a hot September afternoon, Peter and his friend Isabel were on their way to the library. When they passed by Tubman park, Isabel suggested cutting through it to get to the library. As they entered the park, the sight of the swings (秋千) and the merry-go-round brought back a flood of memories of their childhood spent there. But now everything looked so old, sad, and dirty. Litter lay on the ground next to an overflowing trash bin. There were still young schoolchildren playing there but they had to avoid the trash that littered the playground. A little boy told them that the city took the other trash cans away and the remaining one never got emptied often.
As they headed toward the library, the two high school students wrinkled their forehead. In the library, they encountered Mrs. Evans, their kind-hearted fifth-grade teacher, retired yet still passionate. Mrs. Evans listened as Isabel and Peter eagerly explained what they’d seen. Finally, she recommended them to go to the City Hall to voice their concerns.
The next day, Isabel and Peter went into the building of the City Hall but were met with an impatient officer. They were informed that the city couldn’t help with their problem due to a tight budget. Discouraged, they left and turned to Mrs. Evans for help.
Under her guidance, they decided to ask Go Green, a non-profit organization whose goal is to protect the environment, for help. “This group is good at raising money for projects just like yours, ” said Mrs. Evans. She promised to arrange them to present their ideas to Go Green. Hearing this, their face lit up.
Two main tasks remained ahead: researching ways to clean up the park and preparing a convincing presentation. As Isabel was good at researching while Peter always had a talent for speaking, they cooperated quite well. Isabel learned from a science magazine that a new type of trash bin can squeeze the trash down without being emptied often, which saves time, money, and energy. Based on this, Peter practiced his presentation over and over again.
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。
A week later, Peter stood nervously at the back of the hall where Go Green was meeting.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________After the meeting, Isabel excitedly told Peter the good news.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________My wife, our two kids under 4 and I were in the post office a few weeks ago. We have to go there every month to pay various fees. I was being served when an old man in his eighties, with obvious, significant health issues, was waiting to pay his electricity bill. He was struggling to walk on a walking stick, and his hands and arms were shaking all the time. I knew by feeling that the old man was in trouble. After asking, I figured out that the old man's problem was that he was 20 cents short.
The lady behind the counter had the old man in such a state, looking for a further 20 cents, and he was shaking, obviously looking upset. But instead of letting the man go, she insisted that if his bill wasn't going to be paid in full, the electricity company would probably give a fine on his next bill for unpaid fees.
Hearing this, I got really upset. So I went over and asked the lady behind the counter to give ALL of his money back to the old man and I handed her my debit card and paid the bill for him.
The old man was asking “why are you doing this?” as he began crying. I told him because it was the right thing to do. He thanked me over and over and smiled at my two kids on his way out of the post office.
The best part of this event was that the old man walked out of the post office and straight to Woolies and bought a full basket of food, which he wouldn't have been able to buy had I not done that at the post office.
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。
It happened that we met this old man again in our community.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Our family decided to help improve the old man's situation.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________When my friend Ollie and I saw a moving truck pull up in front of the blue house on the corner, we hoped there'd be a new kid to play with. The window in Ollie's kitchen gave us the perfect view for watching the movers while we were eating our lunch.
“That looks like a couch (长沙发),” I said as the movers struggled to get it through the door. “Look at all those boxes!” said Ollie. “There won't be any room left for people in the house.” But we still didn't see any kids. “Everything is still in boxes,” Ollie pointed out. “We'd need X-ray vision to know if there are kids inside.”
Just then, a man and a woman came out of the house. They greeted Abuela, Ollie's grandmother, who was outside watering her flowers. Before long, they were all talking and laughing.
“I told you. No kids!” I said. Ollie pointed at a girl riding up to us on a bike and said, “Then who's that?” I clapped and Ollie jumped up. “Let's say hi,” Ollie said. “Aren't you supposed to bring a treat when you welcome people to the neighborhood?” I said.
Just then, Abuela walked into the house. She said the family was very nice, and that the girl was about our age. Ollie suggested we make some cookies and Abuela gave us a cookbook. “Do we really need to follow a recipe?” said Ollie. “Yes!” Abuela and I said loudly!
Ollie is famous for getting creative with recipes and turning delicious treats into disasters. You know how some people are naturally good at baking and don't need a recipe to make something taste fantastic? Well, Ollie is not one of those people!
“What a great job you two did,” Abuela said, pulling our cookies out of the oven. As soon as they were cool enough to put in a container, Ollie and I ran out the door.
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。
We found the new girl riding around on her bike.
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Ollie and I each took a cookie and had a bite.
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My job is just one of the essential jobs, a sanitation（卫生系统）engineer, not a glamorous one, but is considered the alternative. Of course, I never regard it as an ashamed task to be in my position. About the second week of the lockdown because of the Covid-19, I was having trouble finding a sanitizing spray（消毒喷雾）for my truck. The next morning on my way to work at 4 a. m., I stopped at one of the few stores which were open that early, hoping to purchase some. However, it was only open for the police and medical personnel. “Look at my vest please,” I begged to the clerk, “I’m not just buying it for myself.” “I’m more than sorry, sir. But this is just the regulation, and I really can’t help.” replied the smiling girl. As I turned to head back to my car with disappointment, I nearly broke down.
Coming out of the store, my stomach began to call for energy support. I stopped at a 7/11 and ordered an everything bagel（硬面包）with cream cheese to satisfy my poor stomach and my empty heart. It was toasty warm, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. But as I left the store with a little joy coming sweetly from the bagel, I noticed a scene that an old man was sitting at the bus stop, in rags. Knowing that it would probably be his only warm meal of the day, I gave him the bagel without any hesitation. Just when I was ready to turn around for another same bagel, something warming my heart came into being. Another customer, a gentle lady, from the 7/11 offered me half of her bagel. “We everyone should be taken care of at some certain moment.” she said with a tender sweet voice as I smiled to thank her sincerely. I was delighted because I realized that in one way or another, we were all looked after.
注意：续写词数应为150左右。
So I decided to go back to the former store to try my luck again for the spray.
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Just before I gave up, a local policeman was heading into the store.
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When the last customer left KFC, it was already 10:30 pm. Adam, an 18-year-old college student, dragged himself home. He had been working at KFC for over a month that summer vacation.
Entering his room, Adam found his younger brother Bill sitting on the edge of his bed with an uneasy expression on his face.
“Sorry, Adam. I … I did something wrong,” Bill sprang up and said nervously.
“What is it?”
“This afternoon I sneaked (溜) out for a ride on your motorcycle and accidentally hit our neighbor Osman Brook’s car. I was so scared and I … I hurried home in panic.”
“Is the car seriously damaged?”
“The left headlight got broken.”
“It’s truly your fault and it’s really dangerous to ride a motorcycle at your age. Besides, it’s illegal,” Adam raised his voice, obviously annoyed. Hearing this, Bill lowered his head and bit his lips hard.
“Anyway, it’s no use crying over spilt milk. I will deal with it tomorrow. Now you go to bed and have a good sleep.”
The next morning when Adam got up, Bill was still sleeping soundly. Adam was more determined about what he ought to do as an elder brother.
After breakfast, Adam took out all the money he had earned and went out of the house with it. In the yard he saw his motorcycle, on whose side the scratches (划痕) were clearly visible. Adam shook his head and sighed slightly. Then he squared his shoulders and quickened his pace to Osman’s house.
When he arrived, he was welcomed by Osman’s wife Mary, who told him that Osman had gone to the garage to have his car repaired.
“I have something important to tell him. Can I wait until he comes back?” Adam requested eagerly.
“Of course. He should be home soon,” Mary invited Adam in, served him a cup of coffee and began chatting with him.
After half an hour, the door opened and in came Osman. Having said hello to each other, Osman and Adam both sat down on the sofa.
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。
Adam cleared his throat and began to speak.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Just then, there came a knock at the door.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A painter living by painting portraits was leading a poor life.
One day, a woman came by. She liked the paintings very much and asked the painter to draw a portrait for her. They agreed on 2,000 dollars.
Before painting the portrait, the woman asked the painter to draw more jewels. The painter curiously asked why, but the woman refused to explain. After a week, the portrait was done and the woman came to take the painting. At this moment, she hit on an evil idea of bullying the unknown young artist. She thought, “The portrait is me. If I don’t buy the painting, nobody will buy it. Why should I pay so much money?” So the woman said to the young painter, “I will only pay 200 dollars for it.”
The young man was surprised, for he had never come across such an experience. He argued with her, expecting this woman to keep to the agreement.
“I can only pay 200 dollars to buy the painting,” the woman thought she would win for sure.
The young painter knew the woman broke her promise on purpose, so he felt annoyed. He said in a firm voice, “No, I would prefer to keep this painting rather than be humiliated by you. Today you break your word and some day you must pay 20 times for it.”
“What a joke! 20 times will be 40,000! I won’t be stupid to pay 40,000 dollars to buy the painting!”
“Well, we’d better wait and see,” the young artist shouted to the woman who left angrily. After the stimulation of such an incident, the painter moved out of this sad place, studied under acknowledged teachers and worked hard day and night. More than a dozen years later, he finally started a new way and became popular in the circle of art. However, the woman had forgotten the artist’s painting and words the next day.
注意：
1）续写词数应为150左右；
2）请按如下格式作答。
One day, that famous painter decided to hold an art exhibition.
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The woman went there hurriedly, apologised a million times and promised that she would buy her portrait as soon as possible.
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A GIFT FOR GRANDPA
Summer vacation was coming. Jack and his brother Berlin were filled with excitement as they thought of visiting their grandparents again.
The big day came at last. After the happy family got ready, they set out for the grandparents’ eagerly. On the way, the brothers were excitedly talking about the fun they had with grandparents.
A little blue house with a tall white chimney finally appeared. Behind the property was the forest carrying their good memories with Grandpa. They arrived at the driveway, at the end of which Grandma was waiting for them joyfully.
Jack and Berlin each gave Grandma a big hug and then swept to the living room, shouting excitedly “Grandpa, we are back!”
Seeing his grandsons, Grandpa was wild with joy and tried to get up with all his strength from the chair but in vain. A helpless expression flashed on his face. Grandma explained that his health was declining rapidly and maybe couldn’t stand up on his own forever. But Grandpa declared stubbornly (倔强地), “I can!” Certainly, he was stuck in his boyish way. Mum and grandparents were happy to meet again after a long time. They sat together and chatted about what happened recently.
The brothers were soon bored with adult conversation, went out and wandered into the forest. Tall trees stretched up to the heavens with large branches crossing each other, while young ones rose straight like soldiers. Grandpa was once a great explorer full of wisdom. He could tell where the birds came from only by their calls and songs. The trees, birds, lizards, lots of bugs...How many merry moments they spent with Grandpa in the kingdom!
But now Grandpa couldn't get up. This made them worried. “We’d think out a way to cheer him up.” Jack said. “Grandpa is a bird lover, and we can catch him a bird.” Berlin suggested. “But he hates birds being caged!” Jack shook his head.
Then a bright idea came to Jack’s mind. “Why not make a cane (拐杖) out of a young tree!”
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。
Berlin thought it was a good idea.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Jack and Berlin handed the cane to Grandpa.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Sabrina and I were in gym class together. I was quiet and kind. She was a bully(仗势欺人者). She and her friends enjoyed harassing(骚扰)me on a daily basis.
I was less than athletic. That day, we had played soccer. I not only embarrassed myself, I also made Sabrina mad — basically because she was on my team, and we didn’t win. So, in the shower, she threatened me! “I will meet you after class,” she sneered(讥笑).
Immediately class was over, I slid out the teacher’s entrance and ran to my locker where Susan, my older sister, was already waiting for me, so we could walk home together.
“What’s up with you?” she asked, noticing the look of panic in my eyes. “Sabrina!” I choked. “We lost the soccer game in gym and it was my fault.”
“Oh,” Susan simply stated. “Well,” she said, “we will walk down Seventeenth South instead of Harrison. It’s out of the way enough that Sabrina won’t find us.”
Next day, in the math classroom, Sabrina’s best friend passed me a note that stated, “At lunch, you will pay for running away!” I didn’t even look up, but I accidentally swallowed my gum and felt a severe pain in my chest. Mr. McKonkie excused me going to the nurse’s office.
Walking down the hall, I felt a slight sense of relief and freedom. But suddenly someone hit me on the shoulder from behind. “You little chicken!” Sabrina’s voice sneered. I didn’t turn around. I started running down the hall. I had no idea what she was going to do and I was extremely scared.
Sabrina was now rushing after me. At last, she caught up with me enough to kick the back of my legs, trying to knock me down. In a panic, I swung around to the stairs. Sabrina was so close to me by then that my sudden change in direction knocked her off balance and she fell down the stairs. I stood there watching her fall.
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:
At first, I felt a sudden independence and victory.
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Paragraph 2:
Sabrina never harassed me after that.
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It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, just a short note inside which says what we have done to celebrate Christmas. It has stuck through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas—oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it—the overspending, the anxious running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma—the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to avoid the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so on. I reached for something special just for Mike. The idea came in an unusual way.
Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling (摔跤) at the junior level at the school he attended. Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team supported by an inner-city church. These teenagers, dressed in sport shoes so ragged (破烂的) that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast (对比) to our boys in their stylish blue and gold uniforms and new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. Obviously, the poor team could not afford.
Well, we ended up defeating them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he walked around in his rags with a kind of steet pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.
Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, ‘‘I wish just one of them could have won, "he said "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them. ’’
注意∶1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答,
Paragraph 1:
That’s when the idea for his present came.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
For each Christmas, the envelope has become the tradition of our family.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Strange Footprints in the Snow
Jonathan woke up and looked around. For a moment, he wasn’t sure where he was. Then he remembered. He and his sister, Julie, were visiting Aunt Gwen. They had spent yesterday helping Aunt Gwen clean her basement. Today they would have time to play.
He looked out the window. Fresh snow covered the ground. He could hardly wait to go outside. Jonathan dressed and hurried downstairs to the kitchen.
“Hi, sleepyhead,” said Aunt Gwen. “Julie has already eaten her oatmeal. She’s outside.”
“That’s where I’m going as soon as I finish breakfast,” Jonathan said.
A short time later, he zipped up his coat, put on his boots, and walked out the front door. The sun made the snow sparkle. He looked around. He didn’t see his sister, but he saw something else. Strange footprints in the snow tracked across Aunt Gwen’s yard.
“They’re way too big to be Julie’s. They look like they belong to a dinosaur,” Jonathan said. Then he added, “But that’s silly. Dinosaurs are not around anymore.”
He looked closer: The footprints were the shape of a very large oval (椭圆) with a stem. “Maybe they belong to an elephant or a hippo that escaped from the zoo,” he thought. He held his breath and listened. He didn’t hear anything.
He remembered a book he’d seen earlier on Aunt Gwen’s shelf. It was a book about animal tracks. He dashed inside to get it. The book had pictures of animals and the tracks they made. He turned the pages one by one, but none of the photos looked like the footprints in Aunt Gwen’s yard.
He stared at those footprints again. An animal that made such big tracks would have to be heavy. Its tracks should sink far down into the snow. Yet these footprints seemed to skim across the top.
How can that be? He wondered.
Jonathan noticed something else. The tracks never left Aunt Gwen’s yard. Instead, they turned and went around the house. “Maybe the animal is still here,” he whispered.
Paragraph 1:
Quietly, he began following the footprints.
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Paragraph 2:
That was when he saw her—his sister, Julie.
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