For the past three years, I had worked tirelessly as a waitress at Lester’s Cafe during weekends and vacations, saving every penny I could for my $500 tuition (学费) bill for St John’s College of Nursing. But fate (命运) had other plans in store for me. Just days after my high school graduation, my father fell ill and needed an expensive operation to recover. My family, already struggling financially, was in urgent need of funds. With a heavy heart, I offered all my savings to help cover the medical bills.
But as the days went by, panic set in. How would I pay for my tuition? No bank would lend money to an eighteen-year-old with no hope of repayment for three years, and none of my friends had that kind of money. I felt lost, unsure of what to do.
I thought of Lester, but he always put the profits back into his little cafe. Five hundred dollars was a large sum of money then. There was only one person who came to mind — Mr. Smith, the successful engineer and a regular customer at Lester’s Cafe. He came into Lester’s early every morning for breakfast. Despite having barely exchanged more than pleasantries (客套话) with him while waiting tables, he was the only person who ever tipped me in the little cafe. Would he even remember me? And wouldn’t Lester be upset if I asked his customer for a loan?
On Saturday afternoon, I took the courage to call Lester and explain my difficult situation. To my surprise, he understood and encouraged me to approach Mr. Smith for help. “Mr. Smith still eats here every morning. And he asked about you yesterday. Come here on Monday and you’re welcome to ask him. And good luck, Jeanne,” he said to me.
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。
So on Monday morning, I found myself standing nervously in front of Mr. Smith.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As we left the bank, Mr. Smith smiled and shook my hand, wishing me good luck.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________It was a warm Sunday. 16-year-old Stella settled down with a book, enjoying her quiet moment when her friend Bog came over with his 6-year-old sister. “Stella, please! I need you to help to watch Hazel! I have a lecture to attend this afternoon,” Bog begged.
Stella frowned, not thrilled with the idea of babysitting a little girl. However, Bog didn’t offer her any other choice. He dropped Hazel off with Stella and quickly ran away before she could react.
With a heavy sigh, Stella unwillingly turned her attention to Hazel. “Fine, just stay there and don’t cause any trouble,” she grumbled (嘟囔). To her surprise, little Hazel smiled and obediently sat by the table, drawing quietly without making a single noise.
For the next hour, Stella was quietly engaged in reading without being disturbed by Hazel. Gradually, her annoyance disappeared and she got accustomed to the company of Hazel. After a while, Hazel cautiously approached Stella, holding a picture. “Look, it’s you and me,” she said in a low voice. It was a simple drawing of two girls, hand in hand, smiling.
Stella’s heart softened as she looked at the drawing. She felt guilty about treating Hazel impatiently. Setting her book aside, Stella smiled warmly and said, “I love it. Thank you!” Then Stella began to join Hazel to create it together.
Just as they were lost in a world of colors, a sudden phone ringing broke the warm atmosphere. It was a phone call from her friend, reminding her about the long-awaited plan to go skating on the ice rink (溜冰场). Stella’s heart sank because she had forgotten all about it. She was torn between the desire to go skating and her duty to look after Hazel. She was also worried that taking her to skate would prevent her from enjoying gliding (滑) freely on the ice.
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。
As Stella hesitated, Hazel looked up at her with hopeful eyes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Hazel admiringly watched Stella and her friends gliding on the ice.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The New York Marathon (马拉松) is my goal for this year. I know I am never going to win a race but now, when I get anything negative, I will think of the kind gentleman who really believed, “You very good… you very fast.”
At the time, I was living in the Bay Area, and my mother had come to visit for a few days. On the last day of her stay, I was preparing to go out for a run. I picked up a T-shirt I just bought the other day from a Chinese clothing shop — it had some Chinese characters on the front, and a scene of Honolulu Chinatown on the back. I didn’t speak Chinese, but somehow this special T-shirt was quite soft and good for exercise.Working in a very negative environment, I found morning runs very beneficial — body tired but mind awake.
And I had always met an elderly Chinese gentleman walking on the opposite side of the trail (道路) when I was running on other mornings. I had always said, “Good morning,” and he had always smiled warmly and nodded his head slightly.
As I was going out the door, my mother suddenly said, “I don’t think running is so hot — that famous runner died.” I started to recount what I had read about Jim Fixx, and how running had probably been the contributing factor to his living far longer than most of the other members of his family, but I knew there was absolutely no point.
As I started running on my favorite trail, I found I couldn’t shake my mother’s statement. I was so discouraged that I could hardly run. I began thinking, “Why do I run at all? Serious runners probably think I look silly! I might have a heart attack on the trail — my dad had a fatal (致命的) heart attack at 50 years old, and he was seemingly in better shape than I am.”
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。
My mother’s statement remained in my mind like a giant blanket.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Upon hearing the man’s words, I felt more unexplained strength in my step.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Engagement (订婚) is an exciting and memorable event that many people look forward to. Bailey Davis, who had been in love with her boyfriend for more than two years, like many others, recently experienced this joyous occasion when she got engaged. As for the future, Bailey knew that no matter what challenges or obstacles came her way, she would always hold onto the memories and experiences she shared with her partner. She has been proudly wearing her beautiful engagement ring ever since, valuing it as a symbol of her love and commitment. However, her happiness was short-lived.
As a salesgirl of a large chain store, Bailey was as busy as a bee, going on business alone from time to time. On this particular day, Columbus, Ohio was her destination. She got up very early, packed all her baggage, and drove there happily. While at a rest stop, she used the restroom. Here, she took off her ring. But little did she know that she’d also leave it there. It wasn’t until she arrived in Columbus that she realized her ring was missing. “I had driven already two hours away to Columbus before I realized it wasn’t on my hand,” Bailey recalled. “I was shaky and sweating — I felt like I was going to puke (呕吐).” By the time she returned to the rest stop bathroom, the ring was gone. At that moment, Bailey felt certain she would never see her precious ring again.
Bailey’s heart began to sink at the thought of the special value of the ring. For her, it was not just a piece of jewelry but a symbol of the love and commitment she shared with her partner. She couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of loss and disappointment.
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, Bailey refused to give up hope.
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Just when she’s about to lose heart, something amazing happened.
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“Let’s welcome the new arrival!” said Mrs. White. When Kevin went straight to the blackboard, he overheard his new classmates’ comments. “Look at his shabby and wrinkled sneakers!” He felt his face flushed (脸红). “My name is Ke … vin!” The whole class burst out laughing except one boy in red.
At the thought of the sharp remarks, Kevin felt depressed. All the heartbroken memories crowding in, he was about to sob when he felt a gentle pat on his back. “Hey, my name is Mike,” he said and shook hands with Kevin. Kevin’s face lit up immediately. Soon the two boys became good friends. They found they had a lot in common — both of them liked soccer. From then on, they played soccer every afternoon after school. Unable to afford a ball, Mike made a ball out of old socks bound together with plastic tape.
The sun was shining and the ball was spinning across the grass as the two friends laughed and shouted with joy. Suddenly, the ball stopped when a new sneaker pinned it to the ground. It was Steven. “A stupid ball,” Steven said scornfully (轻蔑地).
The next morning, Kevin received an envelope from his uncle, in which there was a 100-dollar bill. He bought a pair of brand-new shoes and a new soccer ball. The next day, Steven invited Kevin to play soccer on the playground. When Kevin saw Mike sitting on the old bench waiting for him, he hugged his new soccer ball to the chest and ignored his friend. Mike sat there silently, tears rolling down his cheeks.
注意：
1. 续写的词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答。
One day as Kevin walked past the old bench, he saw the home-made ball under it with a note.
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Holding the home-made ball, Kevin sat on the bench and waited.
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Lots of times, I’ve looked at that tree on the sandbank across the estuary (渡口). One day, I’m sitting on the beach with my friend Duncan. The tide is in, it’s all the way across to the sandbank. "I could swim to that tree,” I say.
“Go on, then,” says Duncan. I put down my towel and walk to the edge. I surge into the water with three heaves of butterfly stroke (蝶泳), just to feel how strong I am in the water and how the sun feels on my back as I fling out of the sea like a fish.
One, two, three, I’m breathing steadily and my arms are lifting in rhythm (有节奏地). Then I remember that story in the paper last week. A man jumped into the water and grabbed a shark by its tail. How could I forget that shark? I’m sprinting (冲刺) through the water, which is suddenly so immense (无边无际的), so deep. Soon my arms and legs feel heavy. It’s that feeling I get at the end of a race when I’ve given it everything.
I’ve got to pace myself, I think. The tree is far off ahead somewhere. When I turn and look back at Duncan, he seems so far away. I must be nearly halfway, I think. I tread water for a moment, looking across at my tree.
It hasn’t come any closer. Up out of the sea I rise in a butterfly surge, breathing one, two, three, “It’s easier,” I say to myself, even though I can now feel the tugging (拖、拽) of the outgoing tide, and the salt water slaps my face more than I want.
I must be nearly there, I think, and stop and look back at Duncan. His T-shirt is just a red blur (模糊不清的事物) on the beach. I smile to myself, thinking that not many people would do this swim, but I can. I turn my head to look for my tree.
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 something was wrong.
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My heart stops pounding (怦怦跳) in my ears so much.
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By the age of sixteen years old, Ben had always been an outstanding student. He went to great lengths to achieve high grades and managed to keep his parents delighted and proud. Neither of his parents had the opportunity to attend university and it was their biggest ambition that Ben could land a well-paid and decent job as a lawyer. He knew that achieving this goal would make his parents walk on air, but he wasn’t certain whether he would feel the same.
Since he was only a child, Ben had been passionate about computer programming. He taught himself how to use a computer, and by the age of 12, he had been proficient in three difterent programming languages. He did all of this in his spare time. He was quite an introvert (内向的人), so he preferred staying in with his computer, rather than going out socializing with his fellow classmates or playing sports in the brilliant sunshine. It was acceptable with his parents, as long as he continued to focus on his studies.
One day, while reading an article online about a young technology billionaire called Tom, Ben was fascinated by the magical power of technology and the wisdom and imnovation of the young CEO. The inner voice told him that he longed to become a computer programmer. Everything changed for Ben. In the article, the CEO said that his company was trying to create a new and improved way of paying for goods online but that they were struggling with the security system. He said if they could overcome this, they could launch the biggest and best online payment system in the world. It occurred to Ben that he had an innovative idea on how to handle this problem. Thinking that it wouldn’t come to anything, he emailed the CEO, introducing himself and explaining his idea.
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。
He forgot all about it, but then a month later; the most amazing thing happened.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________With all these concerns in mind, Ben determined to communicate with his parents frankly.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________There lived two brothers, John McNeil and James, in a village in Kentucky in the north of America, who had lost their parents in a terrible earthquake ten years before. Worse still, ten-year-old John McNeil suffered from serious autism. He often stayed at a corner without saying anything with others and frequently ran everywhere, so his brother James was concerned about his safety.
On a windy, cold day, John McNeil forgot to put on his shoes and ran out the door. He headed straight for the 125-foot electrical tower behind the McNeiI home and didn’t realize the dangers of the structure. That day his thoughts were set on climbing to the top of that tower, touching the sky. Maybe he thought he could meet his parents in the sky. What a poor boy!
His seventeen-year-old brother, James, was always close by. James always made sure that no danger came to his little brother. But today was different. Today, John ran out the door unnoticed. He was making his way to the sky step by step by the time James saw him. John, like most autistic children, had no idea about fear or danger. James, on the other hand, realized that he had to face his greatest fear of all — the fear of heights.
However, James understood the danger of the electrical tower but chose to follow his younger brother secretly, trying not to look down, all the way to the top. He finally reached his brother and held him with his right hand. With his left hand, he held a metal bar to help stabilize them both. What a thrilling scene!
注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请在相应位置作答。
James was shaking. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hundreds of people came together at the base of the tower. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was almost nine o’clock and Sydney returned to Tellson’s Bank to see Mr. Lorry. Monsieur Manette, however, hadn’t returned from his visits. Mr. Lorry was worried. When he did return, his face told them that he had failed to find someone to save Charles. “Where are my bench and my work tools?” he asked. “I must finish those shoes!”
Their heart sank. “The last hope is gone!” said Mr. Lorry shaking his head sadly. “Yes, the last hope is gone,” said Sydney. Then he took a piece of paper from his pocket. It was his Leave Pass, with “Sydney Carton” on it. He gave it to Mr. Lorry, and asked him to keep it for him until the next day because he didn’t want to take it into the prison when visiting Charles. Then he looked in Monsieur Manette’s pockets and found his Leave Pass with his name and the names of Lucie and little Lucie on it.
“Look after these, too,” he said. “They are in great danger. Madame Defarge is going to have them all arrested, probably the day after tomorrow. You must have your horses and carriage ready at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Lucie and her father must be sitting in the carriage, and so must you. As soon as I arrive, take me into the carriage and drive off. This is very, very important. We must save them!”
On the next day afternoon, Charles Darnay sat alone in his cell, writing a long letter to Lucie and others to her father and Mr. Lorry. Then he lay down to sleep. He woke early, so he got up and walked up and down in his cell. The guard had told him that he would die at three o’clock. Just after the clock had struck one o’clock, Charles heard footsteps approaching. Then the key turned in the lock, and the door opened. He heard the guard Barsad say, “Go in quickly, and do what you have to do. I will wait here.” The person who entered the room with some hidden chemicals was Sydney Carton, who smiled and put a finger on his lips. Was this really happening?
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。
“Of all the people in the world that I might have expected to see here, you are the last,” whispered Charles.
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Now Charles, looking really like the usual Sydney, heard him say, “Quickly! Take this pen and paper, and write down what I tell you.”
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Okay. I’ll admit it. I can be a complainer. After all, there’s so much in my life that annoys me: my school work, my brother’s dirty shoes, the neighbor’s loud music, rainy days, traffic jams…
Complaining is what I have developed since childhood. My family doesn’t seem to mind. Mom always tries to excuse my behavior as something that I would outgrow, but I do remember some eye-rolling and long-drawn sighs from friends and families when I would voice my negative opinions. In fact, I can clearly recall the exact moment when I first realized my complaining habit deeply hurt people around.
I had a generally pleasant high school life with my usually mild-mannered deskmate Lucy in Senior 2. Sure, there was still plenty to complain about, but she never seemed to mind. Or so I thought. Then, on a hot summer afternoon, we sat in our classroom - no wind, no air conditioning, the sweat messing my hair. Impatiently, I whispered something about the situation under my breath. Probably for the tenth time. Also, I reminded her once again to remove her arms from my table and take her books away, she put up her hand, turned to me and shouted, “Stop! Stop your complaining. It’s driving me crazy.” Her eyes widened. Turning away, she didn’t speak to me for the rest of the day.
Perhaps I’d gone too far, I thought. Maybe I really did complain too much. I took a breath and sat down to think about solutions. I could hide myself in the washing room and scream. No. Other students would probably hear me. Turn to teachers or my family? They probably wouldn’t mind as well. Then it hit me.
I’d been in the habit of keeping a journal. Journaling kept me sort of honest with myself, and I liked it for that reason. Perhaps, I thought, a complaint journal might be the answer I was seeking.
注意:
1. 续写词数应为150 左右；
2. 请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
That night, I sat down in front my desk and gave it a try.
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I made up my mind to apologize to Lucy the next day.
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