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.
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 a bright idea came to Jack’s mind. “Why not make a cane (拐杖) out of a young tree!”.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Jack and Berlin handed the cane to Grandpa.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Jenny was the only child in her family. She had a quarrel (吵架) with her mother that afternoon and she ran out of the house angrily. She couldn’t help weeping sorrowfully when she thought of the scolding from her mother. Having wandered aimlessly in the street for hours, she felt a little hungry and wished for something to eat. She stood beside a stand (货摊) for a while, watching the middle-aged seller busy doing his business. However, with no money in hand, she gave a sigh and had to leave.
The seller behind the stand noticed the young girl and asked, “Hey, girl, you want to have the noodles?”
“Oh, yes, but I don’t have money on me.” she replied.
“That’s nothing. I’ll treat you today,” said the man, “Come in.”
The seller brought her a bowl of noodles, whose smell was so attractive. As she was eating, Jenny cried silently.
“What is it?” asked the man kindly.
“Nothing. Actually, I was just touched by your kindness!” said Jenny as she wiped her tears. “Even a stranger on the street will give me a bowl of noodles, while my mother drove me out of the house. She showed no care for me. She is so merciless compared to a stranger!”
Hearing the words, the seller smiled, “Girl, do you really think so? I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you thanked me a lot. But it is your mother who has raised you since you were a baby. Can you remember the times she cooked for you? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?”
Jenny sat there, speechless and numb with shock: she remembered her mother’s familiar face and weathered hands. “Why didn’t I think of that? A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel grateful. Why haven’t I thanked my mum for what she has done for me?”
On the way home. Jenny made up her mind to make an apology to her mother for her rudeness as soon as she arrived home.
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。
Nearing the doorway, Jenny took a deep breath.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________At that time, her mother came back and touched her hair gently, which called her mind back.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I walked all the way home from school with my eyes planted on the ground. It had to be around here somewhere. It had to be.
“Watch out!” someone shouted. I looked back and found it was my lab partner Meheer. I was usually glad to see Meheer. He could always make me laugh, even while we were working in class. But today, nothing could cheer me up.
Meheer jumped off his bike. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I lost a necklace (项链) that used to belong to my grandmother. I thought it might havefallen off on the way to school this morning.”
“What does it look like? I’ll help you find it.”
We searched around the path but found nothing.
“There’s always tomorrow,” said Meheer, patting (轻拍) me on the shoulder. “I have a feeling it will turn up.”
“I doubt it,” I said.
Alone, I stood on the front walk for a minute. I had promised my mother I’d be more responsible. What would she think of me now? Slowly, I walked to the front door, pressed the handle, and stepped inside.
My mother was in the kitchen, cutting carrots for her famous vegetable soup. “You’re late,” she said. “You didn’t tell me anything you had after school today.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I should have called.”
“Kari, you may be in the eighth grade now, but I still need to know where you are. I’m responsible for what happens to you.”
That was my mother: never failing in her responsibilities. I, on the other hand, couldn’t even manage the smallest thing.
“So,” she said, “what was it that kept you at school?”
“I lost Grandma’s necklace,” I blurted out (脱口而出). “I’m so sorry. I looked every wherefor it. Mum, please don’t be angry with me. It was an accident.”
My mother stopped cutting and her expression was one I’d never seen before. She said nothing. Then she walked out of the room. Oh, this was worse than I thought. She couldn’t even stand looking at me. A moment later, she reappeared in the doorway. “Do you remember what I said when I gave you the necklace?” I nodded. “You said I was old enough now to be trusted with greater responsibilities.”
注意：1．续写词数应为75左右；
2．请按如下格式作答。
As I brushed away a tear, my mother smiled at me.
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Becky Darig had always had a fascination with the cinema, and by the time she was nine years old, she knew she wanted to be an actress, shine on the big screen and be a star When Becky was seventeen, she unexpectedly got her break into show business, but she never imagined that her golden opportunity would turn her life and her family’s upside down.
It all started when Becky’s friend Anna spotted a call for teens to audition (试镜) for roles in a new TV show, which was also looking for a double for the lead actress. “You’d be perfect!” cried Anna. “And you’ve always wanted to be an actress. This could be your opportunity!” “I don’t know, Anna,” said Becky. “I have no experience!” Anna shook her head and said: “You know what my grandma said? Nothing ventured (冒险), nothing gained. You’ve got to try! I’ll come with you if you’re scared!”
Becky accepted her offer, and the next day the two girls were at the audition along with hundreds of other teens. The other hopefuls were all beautiful, and from their conversation, Becky could tell that they all had experience in acting. She was sure she would be knocked out immediately, but Anna kept telling her that she would be fine.
Finally, it was Becky’s turn, and she stepped into the room in front of the producers and the director. At the sight of Becky, the director’s mouth dropped open, and the producers stared whispering together excitedly. Becky introduced herself and started reading from the lines she had been handed in the hallway, but the director waved a hand.
“Becky? Is that your name?” he said. “We don’t need to hear anymore...” Becky felt her eyes fill with tears. She was so bad they didn’t even want her to finish the reading! Then the man said: “You’re hired(雇佣). You’ll be Jenna Marlow’s double.”
Becky understood the producers and the director’s amazement the next day when she met the new series’ leading lady, Jenna Marlow.
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。
Looking into Jenna’s face was like looking into a mirror!
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The truth was uncovered when Jenna and Becky arranged a dinner and invited Mrs. Marlow and Mrs. Darling.
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Andy, a 15-year-old boy, and his mother Emily didn’t have much in life, living daily with just enough to eat three meals and pay the bills. Without his mother knowing, Andy had been saving up his pocket money for months to buy her a birthday present. He had collected a total of $25.
As a cleaner at a nearby park, Emily never took a bus, choosing to walk to and from work to save money. One day, Andy noticed that her mother came home wet to the skin. She told him her umbrella broke because of the strong wind and she wanted to get home in time to have dinner with him.
The following day, his mother woke up with a fever. “Mom, I’m sure you have to stay in bed today” Andy told her. “I’ll look after you. Here is your medicine,” he said, handing her a glass of water. Then, Andy left the house and walked towards the nearby supermarket to buy vegetables with which to cook some so up for his mother.
It occurred to him that his mother’s birthday was in a couple of days, so he decided to get his mother an umbrella first and spend the rest of his money on food.
“What is your strongest umbrella here, sir?” he asked the shop assistant. “I am looking for one that won’t break easily.” The man showed Andy a variety of umbrellas. Andy believed the purple one would be the best choice, his mother’s favorite color. It was $22. Andy almost jumped with joy! The boy was happy that he managed to lend his mom a hand by finding her something she really needed. Also, he even had some money to spare!
Stepping out of the shop with the gift and vegetables in his shopping bag, Andy realized it was starting to rain. He was running to a nearby bus stop to seek shelter with other people when he noticed an old lady walking slowly and struggling for a balance. It was pouring down. Without hesitation, he took the umbrella out of his bag and ran over.
Paragraph 1:
The old lady looked up and realized an umbrella was sheltering her from the rain. She cast him an appreciative look with a beam of delight.” Thank you. And by the way, it’s wise to get an umbrella before the rain started pouring,” she said. Andy shook his head, telling her that his mom’s umbrella was broken, and he wanted to get her a new one she could use for years.” I didn’t expect that. But it must be very nice to have a caring boy like you,” she replied, helping Andy to wipe off the raindrops on the umbrella. They exchanged a knowing look and waved goodbye after the rain stopped.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为80词左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
3. 续写第一自然段已给出。
Paragraph 2:
Anxious about his sick mom, Andy rushed home, all over wet.
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1. 网上交友的利弊。
2. 你的个人观点。
注意：
1. 词数80左右;
2. 短文题目已写好。
Making Friends Online
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Christmas Day was coming. I was just a kid then, and my big sister told me there was no Santa Claus. I fled to my Grandma because she would be straight with me. l knew Grandma always told me the truth. Grandma was home, and I told her everything. She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus!” She shouted. “Ridiculous! Don’t believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad.”
“Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.”
“Go where, Grandma?” l asked. “Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store. the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. “Take this money.” she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s.
l was only eight years old. I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people competing to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, holding that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy and who to buy it for. I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker, who was a kid with bad breath and messy hair. He sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s grade-two class.
Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat. l knew that because he never went out for recess(休息) during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn’t have a cough, and he didn’t have a coat. I fingered the ten dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red one, which looked really warm, and he would like that.
“Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. “Yes.”
The nice lady smiled at me, put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.
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 evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Grandma and I waited breathlessly in the bush for Bobby Decker’s front door to open.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“Wanted: Violin. Can’t pay much. Call ...”
I rarely read classified advertisements. So why did I notice that? I laid the paper on my lap and closed my eyes, remembering what had happened many years before, when my family struggled to make a living on our farm. I, too, had wanted a violin, but we didn’t have the money.
When my arms grew long enough, how I wanted one! But I knew it was out of the question. It was not a good year. At harvest the crops did not bring as much as we had hoped. Yet even though times were hard, I couldn’t wait any longer to ask, “Daddy, may I have a violin of my own?” Daddy looked sad. That night, and many following nights, I heard him pray in our family devotions, “ ...Mary wants her own violin.”
One evening we all sat around the table. Daddy wrote a letter to his friend, Mr Finkle, a fine violinist. When Daddy received a letter from Columbus a few weeks later, he announced, “We’ll be driving to Columbus.”
The day finally arrived. After we got there Mr Finkle, a tall man older than Daddy, opened the door. “Come in!” he and Daddy heartily shook hands, both talking at once. He picked up a case, opened it, lifted out a violin and started to play. The melody surge like waterfalls. Oh, to play like him, I thought. “Carl, I found it in a pawn shop for seven dollars. It’s a good violin. Mary should be able to make a beautiful music with it.” Then he handed the violin to me.
I noticed the tears in Daddy’s eyes as I finally comprehended. It was mine! I stroked the violin gently. The wood was a golden brown that seemed to warm in the light. “It’s beautiful.” I said, barely breathing. I knew Daddy’s prayer and mine had been answered. Back home I practised daily, feeling no tiredness.
When I was ready to join the school orchestra(管弦乐队) , I trembled with excitement. Daddy and Mother smiled proudly in the audience at their little girl who held her cherished violin for the world to admire. The years seemed to run more swiftly then. I packed my violin in its case and stepped into the grown-up world. Nurse’s training, marriage, working, bringing up four daughters filled my years. Yet none of my children cared about the violin.
注意：1. 续写字数应为 80 词左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
I put my thoughts to the present and read again the advertisement.
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9 . 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。
Ada looked through the observation window at the kids below, all waiting in line to get into the pool. She turned to her mother with an angry expression on her face. “Mom, they’re all little kids! I’m 15 already! This is ridiculous, isn’t ?”
“I know, Ada,” replied her mother, “but you’re a beginner, too, and you have to start somewhere!”
Ada had never been to a swimming lesson in her life. Between schoolwork and helping on her grandfather’s farm, she hadn’t had time for lessons. The closest swimming pool Ada had been to was the inflatable (充气的) alligator pool her mother bought her when she was five. Now that Ada was older, her mother had found a new job in the city, and Ada faced a new challenge — school field trips to the local pool.
The first day that Ada went with her class to the pool, she had no idea what she was in for. What could be so difficult about swimming? Ada confidently slipped(溜) into the water and held onto the side of the pool, expecting to be able to touch the bottom with her feet. But when Ada let go of the side of the pool, she slipped under the water—the whole pool was one big deep end! Ada threw her arm toward the side of the pool and grabbed (抓住) the ledge (池壁), out of breath. “I really can’t swim! Everyone’s going to laugh at me!” she thought to herself in a panic.
On the next field trip to the pool, Ada sat on the side of a bench, frozen with fear. She huddled (蜷缩) with a towel over her shoulders, too embarrassed to try again. When she came home, her mother noticed right away that Ada was upset. “Honey, I want you to take Bella’s swimming lessons at the local pool. Soon you’ll learn how to swim just like everyone else,” she convinced Ada, showing photos of Bella with her prize-winning students. Ada felt doubtful whether the lessons would help, but she had to overcome her fear.
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 came the time for Ada to take her first lesson.
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Soon Bella came over to where Ada sat and introduced herself.
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My grandmother died when my mother, Laura, was only five years old. The year was 1945 and life was extremely hard. As the youngest child, Laura was surrounded by the love of her father, brothers and sisters. However, it could never take the place of that of a mother’s. Worse still, as money was tight at that time, her family could not even afford her a doll for Christmas.
Later, Laura got married and set up her own family. In my mother’s life, her father, her husband and then her three children and then her grandchildren were the main focus of her life. She felt that she could make up for her sad childhood through her devotion to her family, but deep in her mind there was a dream waiting to be realized.
One afternoon in December, I was working in the bank as usual when I caught sight of the beautiful handmade dolls in one of my customers’ hand. She was taking orders for the coming Christmas. The dolls looked cute and adorable （可爱的）. Without hesitation, I decided to get one for my five-year-old daughter, Kelly. Suddenly, an idea occurred to me. I asked my customer if she could make a special doll for my mother-one with grey hair and glasses: a grandmother doll. Having learned the past life experience of my mother, the doll maker accepted my request gladly, though it seemed to be a challenging job to her. So besides the Christmas tree, I also placed my order for two dolls: one blonde an one grey-haired.
Several days passed. I was expecting the arrival of the festival as well as the gifts when a friend visited and told me that his dad, who played Santa Claus, would make a visit to our town on Christmas morning. Knowing that my parents would also come to my house, I called his dad and asked him to deliver the gift to my mother. To my joy, his dad kindly agreed.
Everything was in place and I eagerly expected what was designed to be a most memorable moment in my mother’s life.
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。
Christmas Day arrived and so did Santa Claus at the appointed time.
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Never will I forget my mother’s reaction when she got the present.
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