Two days before Christmas, I got a call from my old and sometimes forgetful mom, “I sold my towels and made $ 200, two 100-dollar bills!” “That’s amazing,” I said, glad that people bought the decorative towels she had made day and night.
For months, Mom had been making towels to sell at the local yearly holiday craft fair. “They bought every single one,” she said. “Now I have money to buy Christmas presents for the girls on the fifth floor of my apartment building.”
After having dinner on that happy snowy evening, Mom went to the grocery store to buy a bag of food for breakfast, Later, she safely drove back home. At 9:30 that night, I received a second call from her. She cried, “I lost all $ 200 I had earned. My Christmas is ruined.” “Don’t worry, Mom,” I said, completely unaware that she had gone out in the snow.
I told her I would drive to her place in the morning and that we would find it. “No. It’s gone. It was in my pocket when I went to the store. But when I checked it tonight, it wasn’t there,” she said. “I searched my car. Then, I drove back to the store to see if I left it there. But it wasn’t there. Then, I walked through the parking lot, looking for it but it wasn’t anywhere.”
My heart broke at the thought of her going out on the snowy and windy night, “It’ll be OK, Mom,” I comforted her. “I’ll give you two 100-dollar bills...” However, I knew that wasn’t what Mom wanted.
It took me several hours to drive to Mom’s apartment the following morning. But before I got there, she had already driven back to the grocery store again even without having breakfast. She called me to tell me to wait for her in her apartment and she said she would be back soon.
With tears in her eyes, she shared her story about the money she had earned with the store manager and asked if he could check any other places for her two 100-dollar bills.
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
The manager began searching for my mom’s money.
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I took the food out of the bag and saw two 100-dollar bills in the bag, wondering how Mom had found her money in the grocery store.
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Alan had loved poetry since fourth grade. In his spare time, he would sit alone, absorbed in creating a poem, carefully designing its content and sound. More often than not, he would read poems with full emotion and a beautiful voice, which brought him spiritual pleasure.
However, when he turned 13, he was going through puberty. Puberty is when kids start to become mature and experience many physical and emotional changes. Alan already hit his growth spurt (成长高峰期). He was very tall. Now, he was just waiting for his voice to deepen. Before the voice deepens, it will crack (破裂) and sound high-pitched (尖锐的).
In Alan’s English class, his teacher would have students do “Popcorn Reading”. Popcorn Reading is when one student reads and then calls on another student to continue reading. Alan was eventually called on. He started to read the sentence. He noticed that his voice came out all high-pitched. It sounded like he had a sore throat. His classmates started laughing at him. “What happened to your voice?” they joked. Alan was so embarrassed. He sunk into his chair and put his jacket hood over his head.
After class, the teacher went to Alan to talk to him. The teacher said Alan should not feel embarrassed. Voice cracking happens to everyone. Alan still felt pretty bad about it. For the next few days, word got around about Alan’s voice. People kept asking him to talk, but Alan wouldn’t. He just stayed quiet. Even when teachers called on him to read or asked him a question, he just wrote it down. Even for his love for poems, Allan just kept creating, but dared not to read them out.
One afternoon, his teacher called him into his office, and said with a smile, “Alan, to celebrate the coming Thanksgiving Day, our school decides to organise an activity presenting shows with dancing and singing. All the students will join in it. Could you write a poem and read it on the event?”
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。
Paragraph 1:
Hearing the teacher’s words, Alan froze on the spot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
On the Thanksgiving Day, the skills worked and Alan gave a perfect performance.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Once upon a time, in a remote village, there lived two friends, Jack and Tom. They were inseparable, sharing every joy and sorrow, and always ready to start up new adventures together.
One day, they heard stories of a hidden treasure buried deep in the forbidden forest. Motivated, they decided to start up a search to find the treasure and make their fortune. Equipped with only a map, a compass, and their courage, Jack and Tom entered into the dense and dangerous forest. The trees towered overhead, blocking out the sun, and the undergrowth was thick and messy. They had to crawl and climb their way through, facing all sorts of barriers and creatures.
As they dug deeper into the forest, they encountered a fierce wolf that bared its teeth at them. They managed to escape by climbing a tall tree, but not before the wolf had torn their bag-pack to pieces, leaving them with only the essentials.
Determined and fearless, they pushed their way onward, following the clues on the map. They crossed swamps (湿地) and scaled cliffs, despite hunger and thirst. Their feet were bleeding and their clothes torn, but their spirits were high and their determination unshakable.
Finally, after days of hardship and danger, they hit on a clearing in the forest. In the center stood an ancient stone altar (祭坛), and beside it, a chest (箱子) that glowed with a mysterious light. They knew they had found the treasure.
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。
But as they approached the chest, they heard a deep sound from the earth beneath their feet.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Finally, the two friends realized that the true treasure of their journey was not the gold and jewels.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Kiss marks on the mirror
Jessica, a clever cleaner, worked in an all-girls university.
One day, she was quietly doing one of her jobs—cleaning the bathroom—when she noticed a bunch of kiss marks on the mirror.
She got angry at the sight of it. But she decided not to dwell on her negative emotion and do something actionable instead. She was hopeful for the girls seemed smart and reasonable.She wiped away the kiss marks with cleaning cloth and a sponge and left instructions on a piece of paper: Please don’t leave kiss marks on the mirror. Lipstick stains(口红印) are difficult to clean.
The next day, Jessica went inside the bathroom to clean. But much to her disappointment,she saw a bunch of kiss marks on the mirror again. She got angry and went running to the principal’s office to report the incident. Upon learning of the incident, the principal got angry at the students. He gave them a strong warning to not leave kiss marks on the bathroom’s mirror. Jessica overheard the principal when he scolded the students. She felt relieved. She figured the girls wouldn’t leave kiss marks on the mirror again. She was wrong.
The next day, it was as if nothing had happened. When she went inside the bathroom,she found kiss marks on the mirror. Worse, there were more of them compared to the ones she found during the previous days. Angrily, she stormed out of the bathroom and went straight to the principal’s office. She was mad at the girls for their stubbornness and also at the principal for not punishing the girls’actions.“The girls are hard-headed. Based on experience, they don’t easily follow my orders. Wait it out. They’ll grow out of this,” said the principal.
Rather than say things out of anger and things that would probably get her fired, Jessica walked out to get some fresh air, and then back to the bathroom, staring at the cleaning tools. She was sick and tired of the situation.
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。
She needed to think.
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It worked!
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The past summer in Antarctica, Elaine had spent long hours inside the plain, practical buildings of the MeMurdo research station. Her job was to look after the fire-fighting equipment and fire alarms of this remote outpost. But on her days off, Elaine loved to go skiing and explore the ice and caves beyond the station.
With winter coming, she’d be heading home soon. But before she left there was one more thing Elaine wanted to do. She was determined to see a penguin (企鹅) — up close. She’d heard interesting tales from the biologists, about how penguins played and took care of one another, how they were curious and often approached people. She had spotted a few, but only from far away. But that night after dinner, someone said there was a lone penguin on the ice on the far side of the station. Elaine rushed out, hoping to get a closer look.
Now she was filled with excitement.... and cold. The day had been sunny and warm (for Antarctica, meaning around 20°F or-6℃, still below freezing). But a sudden storm could drop the temperature by 50°in just a few minutes. The glacier’s (冰川) huge pressure created crevasses (冰裂缝) — deep blue holes in the ice beneath the snowy surface, If someone dropped into the crevasse, nobody would ever find him.
A frosty wind blew, and she reached up to cover her bare ear. Oh no, where was her hat? Elaine had left her backpack — with her warm coal, hat, and emergency radio — back at MeMurdo! Normally, she carried that orange pack everywhere. But hearing about the penguin, she’d rushed out without her backpack and she was out on the ice alone.
Maybe the cold had slowed down her brain, but Elaine didn’t consider the danger. All she could think of was the penguin. Watching the penguin coming closer, she spied a flash of yellow. It was an emperor penguin! Elaine followed the bird farther out on the ice, away from the base.
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。
Soon the penguin stood right in front of her.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Suddenly, a strong wind knocked her off. She was lying on a thin skin of ice above a deep hole.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________My Uncle Joe had a farmland in the countryside. Every summer, I would spend a few weeks there, playjing around and doing some help. his farmland is often visited by crows (乌鸦). I discovered that they were so intelligent. They would drop nuts onto roads to be broken open by passing cars and even could use their sharp beaks (鸟喙) to open cups of bottles.
That day was the hottest day of the year. Even the birds would rest in the shades of our yard to cool themselves. Uncle Joe was wiping sweat off his face when he came into the house. “Ken, did you let the air out of two tyres on my old truck?” he asked me. And I denied.
“I guess I must have run over some nails,” Uncle Joe said. I helped him pump (打气)some air into the tyres so we could drive to the garage. The garage man couldn’t find any nails, It seemed it was due to the opening of the tyre valves (阀门).
“Maybe, Ken, here, was playing a trick,” he told Uncle Joe.
“I wouldn’t do that!” I said with red face, “Flattyres aren’t funny.”
“But there are only three others who live nearby, and they’re on vacation,” Uncle Joe said. “It’s a mystery.”
The next morning was even hotter. Uncle Joe stormed into the house, shouting at me, “Now three tyres are flat! Who else could be pulling such a trick?”
We pumped up the tyres again. When Uncle Joe went back inside, I decided to solve this mystery myself. I hid behind a bush, keeping an eye on the truck. Maybe some kid who is visiting one of our neighbors is doing it, I thought.
The sun got hotter and hotter. I got sleepier and sleepier. Suddenly I heard a ssst, ssst hissing sound. My eyes flew open, and I stared at the strangest sight I’d ever seen.
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。
I noticed a crow standing beside Uncle Joe’s back tyre.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Seeing the crow cooling from tyre’s air, I rushed to find Uncle Joe.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Tom, a young explorer, was known for his courage and love for adventure. One sunny day, filled with excitement and curiosity, he set forth on a journey into the depths of a jungle. However, little did he know that this expedition would test his limits and push him to the very edge of despair.
As Tom ventured deeper into the jungle, he found himself surrounded by giants of the forest, towering trees and the constant sound of unknown creatures. Hours passed as he struggled through the undergrowth, following a path that only his instincts (本能) knew. And then, suddenly, it hit him like a bolt of lightning: he was lost. The realization made him trembling with fear, but he was not a man to give way to fear.
The initial obstacle that Tom faced was finding food. The jungle was full of life, yet he was clueless about which plants were safe to eat. He cautiously searched for some eatable fruits and nuts. Furthermore, with bamboo and leaves, he built a basic shelter, praying it would protect him from the dangerous elements and potential predators, such as wolves and lions.
The subsequent challenge was navigation. Tom’s compass broke down. He attempted to use the sun’s position as his guide, but the shade overhead made it nearly impossible. In desperation, he chose to follow a stream. Journeying along the stream, he had to cross dangerous valley, climb steep cliffs and walk through waist-deep lands. His clothes were torn, his feet were blistered, and his spirit was collapsing. But he reminded himself of his family waiting for him at home, which gave him the strength to press on.
Three days later, Tom encountered a lively group of monkeys, their eyes wide with curiosity as they inspected this unusual intruder (不速之客). A flash of inspiration sparked in Tom’s thoughts and he started to copy their actions, hoping he could interact with them.
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。
To his surprise, the monkeys responded to him friendly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As Tom stepped out of the jungle, he was greeted by the sight of a small village.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ms. Pinelli was walking her dog, Boomerang, past our driveway when I told her that it had been barking throughout the afternoon. We assumed it probably saw a squirrel or something.
After school the next day, I was practising the piano when Boomerang started barking again. (No, my piano playing isn’t that bad!) Anyway, it never used to bark when I practiced. Ten minutes later, it was still barking. Jumping up, I decided to play detective instead of the piano. The Pinellis’ trees were small, and I didn’t spot anything that disturbed it in them. The curtains were open, but I couldn’t see Boomerang looking out. I wondered if something was wrong.
After thinking it over, I called Ms. Pinelli at work and told her Boomerang was barking nonstop again. Ms. Pinelli returned immediately and put it into her car and drove off.
Later, after dinner, she dropped by my house and told me that the vet (兽医) had checked it out. Boomerang was fine but it probably missed Leo, Ms. Pinelli’s son. He used to be its playmate but started college in the fall. During our conversation, I knew how Boomerang got its name. It was like a boomerang (飞镖) when playing fetch, running off and then returning with a ball with Leo. To tell the truth, I missed Leo too because he had taught me how to throw a ball in the yard.
We felt bad for the dog and were eager to find a way to help it cope with Leo’s absence. Ms. Pinelli mentioned that she would leave the TV on the next day, hoping that the noise would distract it.
The following day, when I got off the bus, I could hear Boomerang’s barking loud and clear. I rushed to have a check, finding Boomerang pacing back and forth restlessly. Ms. Pinelli was busy with her computer work. She asked me whether I could do her a favor to keep an eye on it for a while. I gladly said, “Yes!”
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。
Then I approached Boomerang.
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Suddenly, its name reminded me how it played with Leo.
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I heard the door open and knew it wouldn’t be long before my husband Paul would come through the door. I feared his arrival. Don’t get me wrong —I love him dearly, but recently he had started to ask too many questions. He was really getting on my nerves.
“Hi baby, I’m home,” came his voice. “Where are you?”
“In here,” I replied. I was lying on our bed watching the five o’clock news in my pajamas（睡衣）.
“You’re still in your pajamas, again? You would feel better if you got dressed.”
“Why? I’m not going any place,” I replied testily. He just sighed and started changing his clothes.
We weren’t fighting but we weren’t exactly getting along famously either. My early retirement had come unexpectedly and although it was due to health issues, they weren’t severe enough to “allow” me stay in pajamas all day.
Everyone kept telling me it took time to adjust, that I would be very busy if I gave myself a chance. I didn’t want to be just busy; I wanted a purpose. Meanwhile, as I searched for meaning in my life again, my husband stepped in and suggested we get a dog.
The next Wednesday morning he said, “Hey, get dressed. Today we’re going to the dog-shelter.” “Oh, no…I can’t.”
“Why not? You going, somewhere?” he asked.
“Well, um; I’m not ready for that commitment,” I replied.
“Sallie, we’re getting a dog, not adopting a baby!”
We went to the shelter and returned with a Beagle-Doxie mix. I named her Mollie, spelled with an “ie” just like my name.
I bounded out of bed the next morning, eager to take care of Mollie. I was greeted by doggie kisses and unconditional love. Mollie didn’t care that I didn’t have a career or that I have health issues. She just needed me. I fed her, bathed her, and started our daily routine of walks. Mollie and I were two needy souls who had found each other.
A funny thing happened: my energy returned.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________One recent winter evening, Mollie and I took our usual walk.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Melody of Self-Discovery
Sitting at the grand piano, Sarah was picturing her first piano performance in her mind, only to find herself lost in thought. The annoying doubt again crept into her mind. She just couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty that lingered within her. What had driven her to take up piano lessons in the first place? Was it simply a short-lived urge, or had she harbored a deeper passion for music all along?
As her fingers idly traced the keys, Sarah reflected on her journey thus far. She remembered the excitement she felt when she first sat down at the piano, the thrill of producing her first few notes. But as the weeks passed and the lessons grew more challenging, doubts began to seep into her mind like cracks in a dam.
“Sarah, do you have a clear goal in mind?” Mrs. Thompson’s words echoed in her memory. The gentle encouragement from her piano teacher only served to deepen Sarah’s sense of unease. Did she genuinely love playing the piano? What was she playing for? And most importantly, did she truly have what it took to succeed in the world of music?
During her practice, Sarah found herself wrestling with these questions, her fingers pausing and hesitating over the keys as her mind wandered. She couldn’t help but compare herself to her classmates, who seemed to effortlessly master each new piece while she struggled to keep up.
The weight of self-doubt grew heavier with each passing day, weakening her passion for music altogether. But a midst the darkness, a flicker (隐约) of hope remained. Deep down, Sarah knew that her love for the piano burned bright, even if it was dimmed by clouds of uncertainty.
As Sarah sat at the piano, the answer to Mrs. Thompson’s question slowly became clear to her. With each practiced note, each perfected passage, she realized that she didn’t just love playing the piano—she needed it. The music was a part of her, an expression of her deepest emotions and desires.
Driven by this newfound clarity, Sarah threw herself into her practice sessions with renewed energy. Day after day, she poured her heart and soul into her music, determined to showcase her passion and talent to the world.
注意：续写词数应为150左右。As the day of her first public performance approached, Sarah’s nerves threatened to overwhelm her once again.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As the final chords rang out, Sarah held her breath, waiting for the audience’s reaction.
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