The day I started working out with my personal trainer, Teresa, I told her that overall, I wanted to get in shape and get stronger. More specifically, I wanted to lose 10 pounds by swimsuit season.
“Good, you have both long-term and short-term goals,” Teresa said. “That will help keep you motivated.” Then she warned, “I’m going to push you pretty hard, Sue. And you’re going to have to push yourself, too.”
She had. And so had I. Yet here I was at the gym, months later, the same old Sue with the same weight. I looked in the mirror and said, “I’m still so fat. It’s too hard for me to lose 10 pounds.” 1 wasn’t feeling very motivated. “Let’s start with something different today,” Teresa said.
I thought she was going to show me a new exercise. Instead, she took something small and green out of her pocket. A rubber band（橡皮筋）. Teresa took my right arm and placed the band onto my wrist, a determined look on her face. “This will solve your problem,” she assured me. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I had to ask, “How is this rubber band going to help me get in shape?”
“Your weight is not your biggest problem,” Teresa said. “What’s really holding you back is that you’re always putting yourself down.” I knew that better.1 had grown up constantly comparing myself to others, and I fell short every time.
Teresa said she was tired of hearing all the negative words I directed at myself. “Your negative thinking is a bad habit, and it’s time to break it,” she declared. The plan was simple. Every time I thought or said something that put myself down, I was supposed to pull the rubber band—hard—and break free from that negative mindset.
I agreed to try the rubber band. Then I left the gym and drove home. A pile of mail was waiting. I looked through it. There was an official-looking letter from my bank, 1 tore open the envelope. It was an overdraft（透支的） notice. One of my checks had bounced because I’d been late putting money into the account. My cheeks burned when I saw it was the birthday check I had sent to my niece. I really messed up now! How could I be so stupid?
注意: 1. 续写词数应力150个左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
That was when I remembered what Teresa said I needed to do.
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Seven days after trying the rubber band, I got ready for my appointment with my trainer.
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I grew up in New York City. Over the years, my family have explored many notable landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. However, the one we never attended was the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City. My father worked as a baker, so purchasing tickets for six of us was considered a too high expense. How I wish I could see the show! I was always attracted by the long line of Rockettes that would dance across our television screen, so I decided I’d see the iconic show in person one day.
Then I found myself at the age of twenty-eight heading to Radio City to buy tickets to the show on Christmas day. My husband Jay was driving the car. His sister and I were sitting in the back seat. I prayed to God, just as I always did, that everything would go well.
Our plan was to park the car and head directly to the box office. After parking our car, we enjoyed the walk to Radio City. By the time we got there, there were long lines and people everywhere.
I went to wait in one of those long lines. I saw people walking away disappointed in front of me, but I told myself that it was probably too expensive or the show was at the wrong time to fit in with their plans. Finally, I reached the cashier. “Good morning,” I greeted her cheerfully. “I’d like to buy three tickets for the next show.”
“I don’t even need to look. The last seven people asked me the same thing. They’re sold out,” she responded.
“OK, so how about tonight’s show?” I said.
“Um…girl, they’re sold out for this day, this week and this month. I might be able to get you in the middle of January,” she replied.
I was shocked. It was worse than I could have imagined. I stood alone in the building, not knowing what to do. I even wanted to try from the scalpers (票贩子).
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。
At that moment, a man approached me, asking me, “Are you looking for tickets?”
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I looked down at the paper, wondering why he gave me the tickets for free.
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Paul’s old clock was supposed to wake him up at six in the morning of August tenth, but, unfortunately, the hour hand stopped in the early hours again. Instead, Paul was awoken by the noisy breakfast-table talk of the Stephen brothers next door.
“Now. I’ve won the National Poetry Creative Award!” the older brother shouted loudly.
“You have to do the housework for the coming whole week!”
“Okay,” the younger responded unwillingly.
Paul rushed down the stairs of his apartment to the news kiosk (报刊亭) by the street in his pajamas. Among the crowd of the seven o’clock Los Angeles, he was unique, in a funny manner, like a clown escaped from a circus group. Despite that, he caught the eyes of nobody. He threw a few coins into the glass jar and then grabbed the newspaper from the old kiosk owner. His behavior didn’t frighten the old woman-he was the most loyal customer of her store for the past few years.
Paul liked to invent something, and he was fond of literature and had been dreaming of becoming an editor. He skimmed through the annual nomination (提名) on the front page of the newspaper, the brightness in his eyes turned less bright as he moved down the list of names, which eventually faded when he reached the end. He lifted his sight from the newspaper and started staring at the kiosk owner dully (无精打采地), an expression similar to that when he arrived. The old woman sighed-she was so accustomed to this lifeless look on his face but had prayed to see something new every August.
“Bad luck”, with this, Paul slid away rapidly. When approaching the corner of the street, he narrowly knocked down an old gentleman, the kiosk owner’s husband, Arthur, who once was a chief editor of a local famous magazine and now he was retired.
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 hearing what his wife said about Paul, Arthur decided to give him a hand.
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One morning of next year’s August, with the magazine he had edited in hand, Paul stood beside the news kiosk nervously to sell it.
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In a small village called Brightville, there lived three friends: Kimberley, John and Alicia. They were all students at Brightville High School. Kimberley was a hardworking and determined girl; John was a curious and creative boy; and Alicia was a kind and helpful girl. They shared a common dream of achieving their goals through education.
On a sunny day, the three friends gathered at their favorite spot near the village river. They often met there to discuss their dreams and motivate each other. Kimberley always emphasized (强调) the importance of studying and setting goals. John loved exploring new things and finding creative ways to learn. Alicia, with her caring nature, always supported and encouraged her friends.
One day, they came across an old abandoned library in the heart of Brightville. The library was filled with dust-covered books. Kimberley saw this as an opportunity for their dreams to come true. She suggested turning the library into a learning center for the village.
The three friends spent months cleaning, organizing and renewing the library. They reached out to the villagers, and soon, volunteers joined them to set up the learning center. They created a friendly and welcome environment where students could come to study, read books, and seek help.
Word about the learning center spread throughout the village. Students from all ages and backgrounds started attending. Kimberley, John and Alicia devoted their after-school hours to tutoring (指导) the students. They understood that education was not just about memorizing facts but also about nurturing curiosity and passion for learning.
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 days turned into months, they saw the effect of their hard work.
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The success of the learning center in Brightville caught the attention of the local government.
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In July, my dad, mom and I flew to Whitehorse to care for my sick old grandfather. We planned to spend two months in the town of my youth.
A few days before we arrived, my grandfather called to say he was being flow n to Vancouver for another operation. My dad and mom had already booked the air tickets and their leave from work, so even though my grandfather wouldn’t be there, we made the trip north anyway.
Grandfather kept a puppy. It was the only companion of my grandfather while we were not in Whitehorse. He had adopted it from a local shelter(two years earlier and renamed him “Scruffy” because it looked untidy. Its fur was messy. Its ears were like two wings when it ran. While we were alone in my grandfather’s house with nothing to do, Scruffy saved us. The dog needed to be walked. Those walks were chances to re-visit where I’d grown up. I had left that small town behind as soon as I finished high school and had rarely visited home. Scruffy and I took my family to the school, where my picture still hung. We walked through the forest where I once rode my bike. With no one to talk to when my parents were occupied with their own business. I found myself chatting with Scruffy. He was too excited to see me. I gave him many nicknames: Scruffster, Scruff-man, Scruffmaster. He would happily respond to them all.
By the fall, we were back in Toronto and my grandfather was back in Whitehorse. My mom and her brothers took turns flying up to take care of him.
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。
We visited my grandfather again in November.
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After Grandfather’s death, we had to rehome Scruffy.
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“I will never forget you,” Meryl said to his pet dog with tears rolling down his cheek (脸颊). With his head leaning to one side, Thone watched his master, “Woof, woof! Woof, woof!” He wagged his tail back and forth, seeming to understand what Meryl was talking about.
“I can’t take care of myself anymore, let alone take care of you,” Meryl cleared his throat. “Soon, I’ll move to an old people’s home, and I’m sorry to say that you can’t come along. They don’t allow dogs there, you know.” “Don’t worry, my friend. I’ll find a nice new home for you. I’ve known the owners of the new home, and they like dogs very much,” Meryl added. “With your good looks, we’ll have no trouble at all. Anyone will be proud to own such a fine dog.”
Thone wagged his tail really hard and walked proudly up and down the kitchen floor. For a moment, the familiar delicious food gave him a feeling of happiness. But then a sense of fear struck again. Thone’s tail hung between his legs and he stood very still.
“Come here.” With great difficulty, Meryl knelt down on the floor and lovingly pulled Thone close to him. He tied a ribbon (丝带) around the dog’s neck with a huge red bow, and then he attached a note to it, which said “Happy New Year! My name is Thone. For breakfast, I like bacon and eggs — even corn will do. For dinner, I prefer mashed potatoes and some meat. That’s all. I eat just two meals a day. In return, I will be your most loyal friend.”
“Woof, woof! Woof, woof!” Thone was confused and his eyes begged. The old Meryl blew his nose into his handkerchief once more. Later, hanging on to a chair, he pulled himself up from the floor. He buttoned his overcoat, reached for the dog’s leash (皮带) and softly said, “Come here, my friend.” He opened the door against a wave of cold air and stepped outside, pulling the dog behind.
As they were walking in the empty street, dusk was beginning to fall.
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 a very long time, they stopped before a large house with tall trees in its front.
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Through teary eyes, the old Meryl watched from behind the tree as the boy’s mother took the note.
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Collette was born in 1990 with Down syndrome (唐氏综合征). Her mother, Rosemary, promised to never treat her daughter differently or stop her pursuing dreams. Rosemary always supported her daughter’s ambitious pursuits. “I never feel the need to tell her she’s different. To me, it is just a label, and we all have strengths and weaknesses,” explained Rosemary. Despite being treated no differently at home, Rosemary could not control how others would regard Collette in the outside world. In high school, Collette endured years of loneliness and didn’t have many friends. She found comfort and a sense of achievement in her favorite hobby, baking.
After graduating from Clemson University, at age 26, Collette confidently went out into the job market. She had finished the three-year program a year early and posted good grades. Despite her excellent academic records, several potential employers rejected her, saying she wasn’t “a good fit”. It was too sad and hard for Collette to face. Some people saw her as a labeled individual with disabilities and they would not give her a chance. Collette recalled of her disappointing job search, “To me, it felt like they didn’t like me at all because of who I am. No one would hire me, so I decided to open my own business.” Collette started to take matters into her own hands by focusing on her strengths and her passions for baking.
Collette used rejection as fuel to build her baking business. With no business experience, but inspired by her encouraging family, she started her own cookie business. Rosemary helped guide Collette in the opening of her first business. With Collette’s drive combined with the support of family, friends and the community, the business met with a good start.
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。
Collette was determined to make a success of her new business.
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One day, Collette was interviewed by a reporter.
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There’s a park close to my house, with a small lake in one corner that’s home to many creatures. Every Sunday morning, I go jogging in this park. As I circle the lake, I notice an elderly woman sitting by the water with a metal cage beside her.
Today, my curiosity made me stop and approach her.
As I took a closer look, I saw that the cage was actually a small metal trap, and there were a few turtles walking around the trap, unharmed. The lady took one of the turtles in her hands and gently rubbed the shell (壳) with a sponge (海绵) brush.
I came over to say hello to her politely. “Good morning,” I said. “I come here for jogging every Sunday morning and I see you sitting here by the lake. Please don’t mind my curiosity and innocence, but I really want to know what you’re doing to the turtles.”
The lady smiled and said, “I am cleaning the turtle’s shell. Turtles gradually get more and more algae (水藻) and other dirt on their shells, which weighs them down and prevents their swimming abilities. It also reduces their ability to absorb heat. Over time, their shells become weak and rot (腐烂) away.”
“Oh wow! That’s really thoughtful of you!” I shouted in shock.
She continued, “Every Sunday morning, I spend a couple of hours by the lake to relax and help out these little guys stay clean. Strange as it sounds, this is my little way to make a difference in the world.”
I thought for a while and said, “But all freshwater turtles have algae and other dirt on their shells. They live with that their whole lives, don’t they?”
“Yes, sadly, they can’t help it,” she replied.
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。
However, I wasn’t completely sure whether it was worthwhile.
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“Can I help you clean the turtles?” I asked the lady.
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It had been a long, tiring day because 48-year-old taxi driver Carl had worked for 8 hours. He’d been picking up and dropping off passengers the whole day. He wanted to get home then, but he noticed a panicky (恐慌的)woman getting off a taxi with a child in her arms.
“Why is she shouting at the driver?” Carl slowed down near them. He realized that the woman was begging the driver not to leave her there. The boy was having difficulty breathing, and his arms and legs were shaking uncontrollably. Carl realized the boy was having a seizure (疾病发作)and asked the woman to get into his taxi.
Carl drove as fast as he could. The hospital was several miles away, so he had to race against time to save the boy. Meanwhile, he grew concerned about why the previous driver had dropped them off during such an emergency. The woman told Carl that she and her four-year-old son, Tyler, returned from the park. She told the driver she would pay him once she got home because she didn’t take her purse. But then her son suddenly had a seizure, so she asked the driver to take them to the hospital instead. But the driver refused.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital. Tyler was rushed inside for treatment as his mother waited outside the ward, crying. Carl was hungry and tired but stayed back. An hour later, the doctor said, “Tyler is out of danger now. But it could have been fatal (致命的)if you hadn’t made it here on time.”
Mrs Thomas immediately looked at Carl and cried in tears, thanking Carl for saving her son’s life. Carl was glad Tyler was out of danger. Later, he dropped them off at home, and when Mrs Thomas came out to pay him, he refused. “I have a policy. NO FARES for those making trips to the hospital!” said Carl “I just did what any good human being would do. And please convey my regards to Tyler!” Thomas was moved by his kindness. Carl never changed his policy of dropping off passengers at hospitals for free.
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。
18 years later, 66-year-old Carl booked a taxi to the hospital.
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The driver said all the trips he made to the hospital were free.
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Sam worked as a gardener and was trying to raise money for his sick mother. One day, his mother called him and he just assured her on the phone that he was going to get the money for her medicine, and that everything would be all right. Then as he returned his phone to his pocket, he discovered that Mr. Smith’s daughter, Jane, was standing right behind him. She was 12 years old and surprisingly kind.
“Hey, Sam, do you need money for something?” Jane asked him. Sam nodded.“Yes, my mom is sick. But this job in your garden is totally going to help us and your garden is going to be the prettiest in the neighborhood.” Jane nodded with pursed lips (噘嘴) and started to talk about gardening.
The following day, Sam arrived at the garden and was met by a red-faced Mr. Smith, whose expression was full of anger. “You! You tricked my daughter into asking me for money! How dare you, you worthless man!” he yelled at Sam.
Sam raised his hands to defend himself. “No, sir. I never did that. I swear! I would never do that!” But Mr. Smith didn’t want to hear it. He shook his head, pointed his finger at Sam, and said, “I want you to finish today’s work because you left a horrible messy patch (小块) of dirt on the side of the house. It is so dirty. But it’s your last day here! Do you understand?”
Sam could only nod in shock, and Mr. Smith walked away, still angry at him. Sam felt so sad that he had just lost one of the best-paying jobs he had ever got. He hadn’t completed half of the project, and now he wouldn’t get enough for his mother’s treatment.
He wished Jane had never said anything, but she was a sweet young girl who only wanted to help. It wasn’t her fault. He walked to the house and inspected that patch of dirt, which looked new as if someone had worked on it the night before.
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。
“Who put the dirt here? Is there anything special under the dirt?” he wondered.
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Jane said, “These things are worth a lot of money and they are all for you, Sam.”
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