It was a week before Christmas. Despite all the encouraging words I had given myself, I was having a really hard time staying positive. In a few days I would be facing the wedding anniversary (纪念日) on December 23rd. I had always looked forward to this time of year.
I was wandering about in the street, looking for a gift for my husband. The clock read 4: 00p. m. I still didn't find anything satisfying. I decided to head to a neighboring town to find the perfect gift for my dear Joey. I made it into town and stopped by a few local shops, festive with holiday music and bright Christmas light. Shoppers hurried from one place to another, eagerly picking out the perfect gift for their loved ones. I left empty-handed but not completely discouraged. I still had two more stops and I was determined to find something before I headed home.
I wondered that the local trading post would have a few good “gifts.” I headed that way and arrived at 6: 04 p. m. The sign on the locked gate showed I had missed it by four minutes. I took a deep breath. The thought of having to go out another day and do this all over again was unbearable. I shook my head. It wouldn't come to that because my next stop was a huge, multi-level store where I knew I would find the perfect gift for my husband.
I arrived at the huge store and was surprised that the parking lot wasn't all that crowded. Great! I started walking toward the front door when I saw a lady coming out of the building. She was wearing the blue uniform, looking at me with that “look”.You know, the “I know something you don't know look.” I recognized it and stopped. “Are they closed?” I asked her. “Yes ma’am. We close at 6: 00,” she pleasantly answered. My head fell forward and my feet were painful. I felt upset. This was a huge store. It was the holidays. How could they be closed? I couldn't help crying in the parking lot.
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。
The lady walked toward me and asked: “Are you ohey?”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Hearing what I said, the lady thought of a good idea.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________She was six years old when I met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sandcastle and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. “Hello,” she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. I was depressed: my life seemed completely out of balance.
“What’s your name?” She wouldn't give up. “Ruth,” I answered. “Mine’s Wendy....I’m six.” She giggled, “Nice to meet you, Miss Ruth. Do you want to play? Maybe we can build something together. You’ll be happy!” She looked at me eagerly, waiting for my answer.
I just couldn’t refuse this lovely creature. I asked her: “Why don’t you go to school?” “I don’t go to school. Mommy says we’re on vacation.” She chattered little girl talk as we built the sandcastle. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed. She pointed toward a row of summer cottages and told me she lives there.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy when Wendy caught up with me, “I’d rather be alone today.” She seems unusually pale and out of breath. “Why?” she asked. I turned to her and shouted, “Because my mother died!” “Oh,” she said quietly, “then this is a bad day.” “Yes, go away!” “Did it hurt when she died?” “Of course!” I shouted. She didn’t say anything more, tears rolling down her face.
A month or so after that, when I went to the beach, she wasn’t there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage and knocked at the door.
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 drawn-looking(憔悴的) young woman with red and swollen eyes opened the door.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“She left something for you,” her mum’s voice trembled and handed me an envelop.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3 . 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。
My dad was always building and repairing things. When he was six, he sawed (锯) the legs of the dining-room table in half so he could sit at it more comfortably. By the time he was ten, he’d formed a bicycle from useless parts. He did the same in his 20s with a used car. Building taught him the value of solving a problem with his own hands.
I was almost seven when one day Dad and I walked by a toy store window. There in the corner was the most unusual doll house I’d ever seen. Little egg-shaped windows were cut into it, with tiny balconies.
“Oh, Daddy,” I said, “isn’t it beautiful? Can you buy it for me as a birthday gift?”
My father looked at the price — $100 — too much in those days. “I think we can’t afford this house,” he joked. I was quite disappointed at the reply and angry. “But I will build one for you,” Dad then added.
Though I had known about Dad’s building skills, I cast a doubtful eye on him and fell into complete silence.
Days later, after the doll house was almost forgotten, Dad, despite all the unfinished projects at home, started making one for me. Night after night, Dad would come home from work very tired, yet he’d always find time to work on the doll house. He cut, sawed, painted, and did all that was necessary. In those days, the small yard was occupied by various instruments that Dad needed and things that Dad produced for later use. Our ears had got used to all the noise. Every morning, I was greeted by something new that Dad had made the previous night. I was so excited. Dad even added a tiny path to the front door.
The doll house was the greatest gift a child could ask for and it kept me company for over ten years.
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。
One day, when getting ready for college in another city, I accidentally dropped it on the ground.
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On Christmas day, entering my room, I was truly amazed by what I saw.
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I put one last box into the back seat and closed the car door. It felt as if I were closing the door on my whole life. At first, I was excited when Mom told me she’d gotten a fantastic new job at an animal hospital. Then, because she always saves the bad news for last, she told me the really terrible part. The hospital wasn’t in our city; it was miles away in the middle of nowhere. And I’m definitely not a country girl.
I stood beside the car, taking a last look at our building. To most people, it probably just looked like any other old apartment house, but I loved every brick. Just then, I saw my best friends, Hana and Leo, come to see me off. While Hana played a cool riff(重复乐段)on her trumpet(小号), Leo sang, “We will miss you, Celia.” I hugged them tightly and jumped into the car fast so no one could see me tear up. As Mom drove away, I waved goodbye to my friends, my neighborhood, and my life.
We rode a while in silence, and I held my violin case for comfort. Leo, Hana, and I had been writing songs for our band, but that was all over now. “Don’t think of this as an ending,” Mom said, with her knack(技能)for reading my mind. “It’s an exciting beginning. It’s normal to be a bit anxious about unfamiliar things, but you don’t need to be afraid of them.” I kept silent and looked out the window as crowded, exciting city streets turned first into tasteless suburban shopping strips(商业街)and then into endless, boring trees and fields of corn. We finally arrived at our new home, a two-floored wooden farmhouse. Mom said I could go explore. Mom never let me go out alone in the city, so maybe a bit more freedom would be one consolation(慰藉)of living here.
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。
Feeling that country life might turn out okay, I wondered off, taking my violin with me.
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I couldn’t resist, so I took out my violin and began to play along.
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A few years ago, my wife Sue had some fairly serious health problems. She had suffered surgery after surgery and had also put on weight for several years. Diets had not helped her.
One day we sat down and drew up a “wish list” of the things we wanted most out of life. One of Sue’s items was to run in a marathon. Given her history and physical limitations, I thought her goal was completely unrealistic, but Sue became committed to it.
She began by running very slowly around. Every day she ran just a little farther than she had the day before just one driveway more. “When will I ever be able to run a mile?” Sue asked one day. Soon she was running three. Then five. “We can change ourselves for the better and cause ourselves to pursue our most precious desires with almost total success,” Sue said and registered to run in the St. George Marathon in southern Utah.
I drove the mountainous road from Cedar City to St. George. When the marathon began, I parked the car near the finish line and waited for Sue to come in. Five hours later, it was raining steadily and the wind was cold. Several cold and injured runners had been transported past me, and I began to panic. The image of Sue, alone and cold, off the road somewhere, made me sick with worry. The fast and strong competitors had finished long ago, and runners were becoming fewer and fewer. Now I could not see anyone in either direction.
Almost all of the cars along the marathon route had left, and some normal traffic was beginning. I was able to drive directly up the race route. There were still no runners in view after driving almost two miles. Then I went around a bend in the road and spotted two runners running up ahead.
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 was Sue in the company of a girl runner, struggling.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________At the finish line, the girl hugged Sue, “You made me believe we could do it.”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A 12-year-old boy saw something in a shop window that set his heart racing. It was a necklace with shining pearls. But the price, five dollars would buy almost a week’s groceries for his family.
Reuben couldn’t ask his father for the money. Everything his father made through fishing went to his mother, Dora, who struggled to feed and clothe her five children.
Nevertheless, he opened the shop’s door and went inside. Standing proud and straight in his flour-sack shirt and washed-out trousers, he told the shopkeeper what he wanted, adding, “Once we went to New York, my mum saw a same one. I know she liked it very much, because she fixed her eyes on it. I will buy it for her. But I don’t have the money right now. Can you please hold it for me for some time?”
“I’ll try,” the shop owner smiled. “People around here don’t usually have that kind of money to spend on such good-looking but costly things. It should keep for a while. ”
Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap and walked out. He had made up his mind to raise the five dollars and not tell anybody.
Hearing the sound of hammering from a side street, Reuben had an idea. He discovered that he could collect the hessian sacks (麻袋) thrown away in the street and sell them back for five cents a piece.
Every day after school, Reuben walked down the town, collecting the hessian sacks. On the day when summer holiday began, no student was more delighted than Reuben. Now he would have more time for his “work”.
All summer long, Reuben kept on his secret task. Soon the leaves fell and the winds blew cold. Reuben wandered in the streets, diligently searching for his hessian treasures. Often, he was cold, tired and hungry, but the thought of the object in the shop window supported him.
Eventually, the time had come! It was Mothers’ Day. He poured the coins out and began to count. Then he counted again. He made it! Exactly five dollars, not a cent more, not a cent less.
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。Holding the money in hands tightly, Reuben headed for the shop.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mother opened the box carefully, and a shining necklace appeared.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In 1952, my father traveled with the United Nations Peacekeeping Organization. He worked on a very large military vessel, and he went where the vessel went . This meant he spent a lot of time away from our home in North Carolina.
As Christmas approached, he called from somewhere remote. He explained to my mother why he would not be celebrating the holiday with us. He was a long way from home and had no way of getting back to his family.
Disappointed as she was, mum understood dad’s situation. She also knew we would be upset, so she told my two sisters, brother and me right away. The news hit me very hard. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without dad. We were all very sad.
I knew he would have tried his best to be with us. Still, I went to bed on Christmas Eve with a heavy heart. When we woke up on Christmas morning, we opened the presents mum had put under the Christmas tree in the living room. I don’t remember what gift my brother received that year, but my sisters and I found new Barbie dolls. My sisters’ dolls had fancy clothes and shoes, and mum had placed mine in a pumpkin carriage. We were all happy with our gifts, so we went outside to play. I didn’t want mum to see how gloomy I was because I couldn’t show dad our gifts and say Merry Christmas to him. I could tell mum was feeling sad, too.
We went to play outside and as I was playing, I looked up and saw Santa approaching. I ran inside to tell Mother. She did not believe me and told me not to make up stories. I went back outside to welcome Santa. My brother, sisters and I were all very excited to see a real Santa coming to our home.
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 were eager to know what gifts Santa would give us.
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We had no idea that a bigger surprise was waiting for us.
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“You don’t have to come, you know,” Lee whispered angrily.
A few months ago, Dad had suggested taking Lee and his friends on a day trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was meant to be boys only, but then Father decided at the last minute to take Frankie along. Now she was baggage— her brother’s unwanted baggage.
Dad said, “Listen up. You need to take responsibility for your own equipment.” Frankie and the boys dutifully checked their equipment. Frankie looked at Dad’s kit. There was a compass, a survival blanket, first-aid kit, extra water, matches, and more.
By the time they reached the parking lot, it was mid-morning and there were few people around. Frankie and her dad studied the map while the boys hung around.
It was raining lightly when they set out — the boys racing ahead, followed by Dad and Frankie. The trail stretched before them, disappearing into the forest like a path in a fairy tale.
They climbed steadily, the day brightening around them. All around, there was nothing but trees, the bright-blue sky overhead, and glimpses of the magnificent Mummy Ranges.
When they reached an alpine meadow (高山草甸), Dad announced it was lunchtime. Frankie took off her backpack and gazed at the vastness of the landscape surrounding her.
After lunch, Frankie followed behind, determined to put some distance between herself and the boys. Frankie watched Adam climb up the rock, closely followed by Lee and Damien. Dad carefully pulled himself up after the boys, but as he went to stand up, the corner of the rock broke into pieces, and he lost his balance. Although he fell only a short distance, he landed awkwardly and hard. Frankie heard the air go out of him before he prepared another breath to yell.
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。
“Dad fell!” Frankie shouted, her voice edged with tears.
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Not too much later, Lee and Adam were back with a park keeper.
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Johnson lived alone in a small town, Salem. Once he suffered a minor stroke (中风). He didn't usually go outside of his home unless it was to get his favorite food: pizza. He only ordered from Domino’s Pizza, and due to him frequently ordering, the staff was well familiar with his name.
Although Johnson was a loyal customer, the staff had never heard his voice or seen is face. It was only the delivery drivers who caught a glance of the man. Many neighbors went on to say that he just liked to keep to himself.
The manager of Johnson’s local Domino’s Pizza, Mary, said that he was always so polite to the delivery staff. Throughout the seven years of him placing orders at and supporting the particular Domino’s store, there had never been a problem.
And so none of the employees at Johnson's local Domino’s seemed to notice anything unusual the first couple of days. However, this quickly changed when Mary realized that they hadn't had an order from Johnson in a while. Johnson was considered to be one of the branch's most loyal customers. It was unusual that Johnson hadn't ordered anything for more than 12 days. They felt something might be off. A member of the staff, Tom, was sent to Johnson’s house to see if they could notice anything unusual.
As Tom approached Johnson’s house, he was relieved to see that the lights were on. Johnson wasn't answering the door, even though the lights and TV were on in his room. Tom decided to knock once again and called him on his phone, but there was no answer. There was a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. Tom decided to call the police. After hearing the situation, the police arrived quickly. They knocked on the door just as Tom had, but there was no answer once again. Just then one of the officers heard a faint voice coming from inside of the home.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150词左右；
2. 请按照如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The voice was calling out for help.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In the hospital, Johnson was getting better after the stroke.
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