Derek and Shirley walked out of the airport building and into the bright sunshine. Looking up at the brilliant blue sky and then at the faraway mountains rising above the swaying palm trees, they couldn’t wait to start their holiday.
A taxi pulled up swiftly and silently. Derek dropped their suitcases into the boot and joined Shirley in the back seat. “Palm Trees Hotel, please,” Derek said excitedly. “Certainly, sir,” replied the driver, as he turned around with a flashing white smile. Derek and Shirley gave each other a puzzled look as the taxi eased smoothly into the traffic. “Excuse me, er, your face seems very familiar—in fact, you remind us of that famous film star, Rocky Overton... but of course, you can’t be.”
Derek and Shirley sat in silent disbelief as the driver explained that he was not a real person, but a robot made to look like a famous actor. “Rocky” explained that the taxi company had purchased the latest model of robot drivers since they were programmed to be safer and more reliable than human drivers. “So, here I am,” “Rocky” continued, “your first robot taxi driver!”
Derek and Shirley held each other’s hands more tightly. “Relax,” “Rocky” reassured them, “there is nothing for you to worry about. I can assure you that my driving skills are excellent. I’m equipped with perfect vision and superior reactions, and I know every street in the city. I am instantly updated with the latest traffic information so that I can avoid traffic jams and get you to your destination in the quickest and least stressful manner. Please sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.”
Derek and Shirley, feeling a little better, leaned back in their seats and closed their eyes. “And another thing,” “Rocky” added, “my line of robots represents the ultimate in computer technology. I am beautifully designed, made from only the best materials and subject to the strictest quality checks. Therefore, you are entirely safe with me. Nothing could possibly go wrong ... could possibly go wrong ... go wrong ... go wrong ...”
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。
Derek and Shirley looked at each other with great fear in their eyes.
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“Don’t worry, sir,” came the calm reply on the phone, “And your taxi is also a driverless car.”
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The bus ran along the winding mountain road. Trying not to look at the road, I stared out the large window at the tropical greenery (绿色植物) that covered the mountain.
Next to me, my mother was as absorbed by the view as I was. She had won the trip to Costa Rica as an award for her high performance at her job. She had decided to take me with her so that we could have some “girl time” together in a new place, and I couldn’t be happier to be in such a beautiful place.
Our bus came to a small parking lot surrounded by forest. Our guide had told the tour group that it was a cloud forest we were visiting. People started to rise from their seats and moved toward the door. My mom and I picked up our bags and started down the narrow passage, excited to finally get to go on a hike after the hour-long bus ride.
When the entire group had gathered outside, the guide smiled at us. “This is an active volcano we are standing on top of now,” he said. “You have the opportunity to explore without a guide. There are two paths you can follow when we get into the woods: the first is a shorter loop (环线) and will take you back here in forty minutes or so; the second will take you a longer way, and you should be back here in an hour and twenty minutes. The longer loop is very steep, but certainly doable. All of you should be back here in two hours, which should give you plenty of time to admire the beautiful wildlife of Costa Rica! Go ahead and get started!”
Mom looked at me uncertainly. “I assume you would like to do the longer loop,” she said after a moment. I nodded. We only had five days here, and I wanted to see as much as I could during that time. Mom finally agreed.
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。
We set out on the trail that led further into the dark cloud forest.
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Gradually both of us realized the road got steeper and steeper.
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Hudson had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. This was more than the usual excitement about end-of-year trips. And now, finally, after weeks of expectation, Hudson, Davion, Tasha, and their friends Trey and Justin were at Six Flags Great America, which was home to more roller coasters and games than any place north of Florida.
They were waiting in line for the Twisted Twister—the scariest roller coaster. In front of them, the coaster rose threateningly out of the ground. From the very beginning, the Twisted Twister lived up to its name. The black coaster tracks corkscrewed 5 almost immediately. Then, the riders in the yellow cars were given a moment to catch their breath as they were cranked (转动) slowly to the top of a hill. But the relief didn’t last long. As soon as the roller coaster cars were over the peak, the track twisted again. And again and again and again.
Glancing at it, Hudson felt his stomach was too tight to say anything at all, The Twisted Twister was the scariest roller coaster he had ever seen. But he wasn’t about to mention his fear to his friends. Because they would tell him that he was acting like a little kid, too scared to go on the park’s best ride. He felt dorky and awkward standing there. The sea of people between them and the Twisted Twister was steadily getting smaller. Hudson smiled weakly as his friends cheered when they counted just three rope barriers to go. Then two. Then one. And then they were at the stairs. Davion, Justin, and Trey were nearly jumping up and down with excitement. But Hudson could only hear people screaming, and he couldn’t even tell if the screams were because of delight or terror. And he knew, suddenly, that he could not make it.
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。
Without a word, Hudson turned, pushed past the crowd and ran out of the line.
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Just then, he saw his other friends coming, big smiles on their faces.
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Kathy’s family vacation to the beach was usually the highlight of her summer. This year, however, her parents announced a new rule: no phones for the entire week.
“But my friends will be expecting updates about the trip,” Kathy complained. Kathy’s mom gave her a serious look. Unwillingly, Kathy handed her phone over and her mom locked it away.
The drive to the beach house took most of the day. As they turned off the highway onto countryback roads, the clouds darkened. Rain started to pour. “Even more beautiful in the rain,” her mother said. “What do you think, Kathy?” Kathy glared at her mom. “Beautiful,” she muttered.
That night after dinner, Kathy wandered into the kitchen, where her father was washing dishes. She gave her father a loving look and said in her sweetest voice, “Couldn’t I have my phone back, just for one second? Just so I can tell everyone what an amazing time I’m having?”
“Can’t,” he said. “It’s not here. Remember?” Kathy was very annoyed. Having nothing better to do, she examined the dusty bookcase in the living room. The books looked as dull as the weather. On the top shelf, however, she spotted a puzzle. She took it, emptied the pieces on the table, and began to sort them.
After what seemed like a few minutes, she looked up. It was past ten o'clock. She had been working for almost two hours! She yawned. The puzzle was less than half done, but she was exhausted. So, she went to bed.
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:
After a quick breakfast, Kathy headed to the beach.
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Paragraph 2:
Appreciating the finished puzzle, she realized she hadn’t thought of her cellphone for hours.
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