Maya led a quiet life in Utah. She spent her days volunteering at a local shelter, helping the homeless, offering food and comfort to those in need. Maya lived by herself in a rented apartment, but she found peace and comfort in what she did.
One winter evening, as Maya was returning from her usual rounds at the shelter, she noticed a figure in a dark alley (巷). It was a slender (瘦小的) man. “Alex,” the man said, shivering. “My name is Alex.” Maya gazed him up and down, his weary eyes telling tales of hardship and despair. Without hesitation, Maya offered Alex a meal and a place to rest for the night. Despite his initial unwillingness, Alex soon found comfort in Maya’s kindness. Day by day, Maya welcomed Alex into her home, offering him food, shelter, and most importantly, a sense of belonging.
Then one day, Alex didn’t appear. Two days, three days passed. Alex still didn’t appear. Maya asked around, but in vain. She decided Alex didn’t need her help anymore or that he found better comfort. Three months later when the town was celebrating its founding, it was like everyone came. Maya put up her stand in the marketplace, selling self-made bakery. When she was traveling between stands, she came across a ring, actually the ring her mother gave her before passing away. She was so sure not only because of its distinctive design, but the ring also had her mother’s name carved into it on the inner side. Tears of sorrow flowed down her cheeks, as she realized what had happened. James, the stand owner, said a slender man sold it to him. Upon knowing the truth, James offered to give the ring back to Maya. As Maya wiped away her tears, her heart raced with a mix of emotions -disbelief, disappointment, and distress. A happy day turned a sad one for her.
Maya continued her life, her determination to help the need didn’t shift because of this incident. Actually, she worked even harder.
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 she arrived at the shelter, she saw Alex!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Alex showed Maya the new shelter he helped fund with the money.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Jason was a 10-year-old football player who lacked a little speed, yet he made up for it through his good attitude. Jason never missed a practice, even though he was a substitute (替补队员) on my team and had few chances to attend the game. Even so, Jason was never discouraged, and always made a sincere effort.
One day, he didn’t come to practice. When he didn’t show up on the second day, as his coach, I called his home to check on him. One of his out-of-town family members informed me that Jason’s old grandfather had passed away and that the family was making funeral (葬礼) arrangements. When his grandfather was alive, he never could see Jason play; it made Jason feel bad. Now his grandfather had gone; I felt sorry for Jason.
Two weeks later, Jason returned to my team, ready for practice. Only three days of practice remained before our next game. This was an important game because we were against a very strong team. And we only had a one-game lead over them. This was a critical game at a key point in the season.
When the big day rolled around, my top players were ready to rush onto the field. It was a summer evening and the sky was filled with beautiful shiny stars. Before the game, Jason and other players lay on the grass to relax. Jason, who lay beside me, stared at the sky all the time. Suddenly, he whispered to me with excitement, “Coach, look at that shiniest star! My grandpa is on it. He said he would be on the shiniest star in the sky after he was gone.” Touched, I said, “Sure, boy!”
Minutes later, the game started and my top players ran to the field. Jason together with me and a few other substitutes watched on the bench. To my disappointment, my team didn’t perform well.
注意：1.续写词数应为 150 左右;
2.请按如下格式作答。
When the other team scored two goals while my team scored none, I was so anxious.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Motivated by Jason, my team played with more enthusiasm.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The school’s hall got very noisy with excitement as students, teachers, and parents filled the seats, eagerly awaiting the start of the annual school talent show. Backstage, the performers paced nervously, their hearts pounding with anticipation and their minds filled with a mixture of excitement and fear.
Among them was Sarah, a shy but talented singer whose passion for music burned brightly within her. Ever since she was a lonely young girl, Sarah had found comfort in music. With nothing but her voice to accompany her, she would sing for hours on end, pouring her heart and soul into each note, each lyric, each breath.
Sarah’s talent did not go unnoticed. One day, while she was singing softly to herself during a lunch break at school, Mrs Caroline, the choir director, happened to overhear her. Immediately, she saw something special in Sarah—a talent that deserved to rise and shine.
Over the following weeks and months, Mrs Caroline took Sarah under her wing, offering guidance, support, and encouragement every step of the way. She encouraged Sarah to step out of her comfort zone, to embrace her gift, and to share it with the world.
Under Mrs Caroline’s instruction, Sarah began to push herself harder than ever before. She spent hours each day practicing her singing, honing her skills, and perfecting her craft. She sought out opportunities to perform in front of others, gradually building up her confidence and overcoming her fears.
When the moment finally came, with a deep breath, Sarah stepped out onto the stage, the spotlight blazing down upon her like a thousand suns. For a moment, Sarah was frozen in place. But then, with a determined smile, she raised the microphone to her lips and began to sing.
注意：1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置答题。
Paragraph 1:
Then a sudden technical failure caused her background music to cut out.
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When she stepped off the stage, Sarah recognized a familiar figure among the crowd.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In a small village located amidst rolling hills, there lived a boy named Arjun. Arjun came from a family of farmers who worked day and night to make ends meet. Despite their poor circumstances, Arjun had a fire within him that burned brightly with dreams of a better life.
From a young age, Arjun displayed a natural curiosity for knowledge. He was a dreamer, and his dreams were vast and limitless. However, education was something that seemed out of reach for Arjun. His village lacked proper schools, and his family could barely afford to feed themselves, let alone pay for his education. But Arjun’s spirit remained unbroken. He knew that education held the key to unlocking his dreams, and he was determined to find a way. With the support and encouragement of his parents, Arjun started a challenging journey. He walked for miles each day to reach a school in a neighboring village. There, he would sit on the ground, carefully absorbing every bit of knowledge that came his way.
Arjun’s hunger for education caught the attention of the teachers. They recognized his potential and did everything in their power to support him. Arjun excelled in his studies, doing better than even the richest students. As he advanced in his education, Arjun faced new challenges. The lack of resources and opportunities in his village limited his growth. But he refused to let such things define his future.
Arjun’s determination paid off. He secured a scholarship to a famous school in a nearby town. Leaving behind his family and his familiar home, he welcomed this new chapter in his life with gratefulness and a burning desire to succeed.
Life in the town was in great contrast to the simplicity of his village. Arjun encountered challenges he had never faced before. The fast-paced environment, the pressure to excel, and the distance from loved ones weighed heavily on him.
注意：1、所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2、请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
However, Arjun’s journey took an unexpected turn when he discovered a love for scientific research.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As Arjun’s achievements grew, he never forgot his roots.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The unexpected financial difficulties Jake’s family faced not only affected their daily lives but also Jake’s once vibrant spirit. Simple pleasures, like weekend outings, became rare luxuries as they tightened their belts. As for Jake, he longed to ease the strain on his parents, but as a teenager, he often felt like he was fighting a losing battle against forces beyond his control. As Jake’s best friend, seeing him gradually become disheartened left me with a bitter taste in my heart.
Amidst the chaos of the daily struggles, Jake referred to music as his refuge, a place where he could find a sense of peace by singing. Within the singing blending passion and tenderness, he would allow himself to dream of a brighter future, where the strains of financial hardship were nothing but a distant memory. In spite of his remarkable singing talent, Jake had always been shy about performing publicly as he struggled with feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. However, with his family’s situation growing more severe, I saw an opportunity for him to use his gift for a greater cause.
One evening, as we sat on his porch discussing his family’s hardship, I suggested organizing a mini-concert in our community to raise fund and invite the neighbors to attend. We could set up a small stage where Jake could showcase his singing talent. Though Jake finally nodded to the idea, he was uneasy deep inside, his self-doubt and insecurity surfacing. What if no one came? What if no one liked his singing? What if no one cared about his family situation? The thought of being the center of attention was more than challenging, even threatening to him. He feared judgment and failure, worried that his efforts wouldn’t be enough to make a difference. Then came the rehearsal (排练) and Jake took part as planned.
注意：1. 续与词数应为150词左右；2. 请按照如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
However, in my eyes, Jake’s hesitation still remained a problem.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________On the day of the mini-concert, Jake stepped onto the small stage.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I was not sure why my dad and my uncle always disagreed with each other in the beginning. They spent many Sundays sitting at opposite ends of the table, arguing about everything. I didn’t think they got along well.
When I was eighteen, I got a call in my college dorm that my dad was having a health problem. My mom picked me up at midnight, so I could be there the next day when my dad was scheduled to transfer(转移) to a better hospital. I didn’t sleep that night, not a while. I was nervous and almost crazy when we arrived at the hospital early the next morning before the transfer.
That morning, as my mom and I walked down the hallway of the hospital, we could see straight into my dad’s room. A tall man wearing a stylish suit stood beside my father’s bed with his back to us. In surprise, my mom said to me, “How nice it is for a doctor to come by to see your dad so early in the morning.” The man was quiet and still, looking down, but he was holding both of my dad’s hands in his own. It seemed not to be a typical doctor’s behavior.
“It’s not a doctor,” I whispered softly to my mom. When the man turned around, we found that it was my uncle. However, little did I know I would continue to reflect on that quiet moment for decades. And it would be the beginning of something truly wonderful.
The hours that followed were some of the most hardest time of my youth. My dad had a serious stomach problem and had to be in hospital for quite a long time. My uncle stayed with us the entire time. For one thing, my uncle tried every way to get my dad to eat something. For another thing, he brought me healthy snacks and made sure I actually ate them even though I had no appetite. When my mother and I were scared that my dad’s illness would get worse, my uncle was always by our side.
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。
Throughout those difficult days in the hospital, I watched my uncle in a new light.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________From then on, the relationship between my dad and my uncle became closer.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“I’ll bet Anjali knows. Right, Anjali? Why don’t you show us since you’re the star student,” Deepak taunted (奚落).
Anjali was confused. She wasn’t trying to show off. She was just playing tabla (印度塔不拉鼓), like everyone else. And why was Deepak being so mean lately? Is it because tabla is a boy’s thing? She didn’t care that people thought it was a boys’ instrument. Anjali knew there was no such thing. She danced her fingers across the tabla to perform the composition in confusion. “Ugh!” Anjali heard someone groan, and she stopped playing.
“I guess I don’t know it that well after all,” Anjali said sheepishly to the teacher, Mr. Zakir. Her stomach was doing flip-flops. That wasn’t true. Not even a little. Mr. Zakir’s eyes narrowed. He looked like he was about to say something, but changed his mind. “The recital (演奏会) is next week, everyone. Keep practicing. I will be announcing who will get to perform onstage with me at my next concert!” Anjali had dreamed of a moment like that. She wanted to win the opportunity, but she needed to sort things straight with Deepak first.
As the class was dismissed, Anjali hurried over to Deepak. When she finally made eye contact with him, he purposely looked away and walked off. The next day at school, Anjali overheard Deepak whispering to Mary. “People are only interested because she’s the only girl in tabla class and they want her to feel special. She’s not that good—” Anjali was furious. She excused herself and went to the bathroom. She took some deep breaths but couldn’t relax. Her heart was pounding:
“It’s not my fault that people make a big deal about a girl playing tabla. I make mistakes too, but I work really hard. Maybe he should too. He should be less mean and practice more.”
“If I play in this concert, no one will talk to me again. He will turn everyone against me.”
“I don’t want to see a tabla or hear a tabla or play a tabla EVER AGAIN!!” Anjali yelled at the mirror. It was quiet for a moment. She believed it was one of her darkest days ever.
注意：1.续写词数应为150个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
Stepping out of the bathroom, Anjali saw some inspiring posters on the wall.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________After the recital, Deepak walked up to Anjali.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________It was a freezing winter morning. The sun was on its rising journey to warm the world, and Josie was on her way to school. The 10-year-old girl was walking forward followed by her father. As usual, Josie was curious about everything and observing. The office workers were hurrying to work. A guitar player was playing and singing surrounded by passers-by and tourists. A grey and black bird was hopping (双足齐跳) on the ground. Josie imitate (模仿) the little creature, hopping and laughing.
When she turned around to see if her father was within reach, she noticed a beggar in rags sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign with some words on it. With curiosity, Josie held her father’s hand and moved closer to the beggar. Josie found the beggar was an old blind man and his sign read, “I am blind. Please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat. Josie’s father took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. “We need to go, honey, or you will be late for school.” The father held the girl’s hand and they left, but little Josie turned her head several times until they turned left to another street and the blind man was invisible.
“I want to help the poor old man.” Josie was thinking about how to help the poor old man the whole day. At 3:00 p. m. in the afternoon, Josie’s father showed up at the school gate to pick up Josie. “I want to help the poor man,” Josie told her father, “but I have no idea.” It was the warmest time of a cold day. The sun was casting its warm light generously on the father and the daughter.
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。
Suddenly, an idea occurred to Josie that she could change the words on the man’s sign.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Seeing the new sign, more people paused their steps and soon the hat began to fill up.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________It was time for the annual Potato-Salad Contest in Russet Park. After trying for the third time, Alexis shook her head sadly. There was no way she would win the Golden Potato again because Grandpa wasn’t here this year.
Memories of how Grandpa taught her to make potato rose in her mind. She sighed and missed Grandpa so much.
Alexis cut the potatoes and mixed the boiled potatoes, some sauces and a little salt and peppers in a bowl. But it didn’t taste right. Alexis tried a bite of the salad mixture, wondering what was missing. Seeing her frown, Mom suggested, “What about something spicy? Your Grandpa loved spicy things.”
“You’re right! Maybe he put a jalapeno pepper in it,” Alexis said, cutting up a bright green jalapeno and adding it to the bowl.
It was closer, but it still didn’t taste right. Alexis was drooping her head, disappointed. “Should we look in a cookbook?”
“Grandpa was never one to follow a recipe,” Dad entered the kitchen and said.
It was true. People loved Grandpa’s potato salad because it was one of a kind. Alexis remembered posing with Grandpa for a photo while they were making the salad.
Photo! That gave her an idea. Alexis hurried to the bookcase and found an old photo album. She immediately flipped it open, expecting to find clues in the photos there. Lots of photos showed Grandpa and Grandma cooking together. Dad laughed, “He and Grandma loved to tease each other but he always called her Honey.”
“Do you think he put honey in the potato salad?” Mum asked.
“It is worth a try,” said Alexis. She stirred some honey into the bowl.
But it still wasn’t quite right. Alexis’ heart sank, on the verge of giving up. Dad kept flipping the album. At the end of the album was the picture of Grandpa and Alexis making the salad together.
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 looked like Grandpa was crying in the photo.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________With hesitation, the family tasted the potato salad with onions in it.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Billy, a salvage (沉船打捞) diver, hunts for unique items that might have historical value During one of his dives earlier this year, he found a sealed bottle containing a handwritten message, which would turn out to have treasured emotional value for a couple 200miles away, who suffered the loss of a son.
Billy first spotted the green glass bottle floating above a sunken boat. It turned on his curiosity because it appeared to contain a letter. Billy took back the floating bottle, then gently removed the enclosed letter with sticks. He allowed the wrinkled and damp paper to dry out. Once dried, he and his boss, Brad, attempted to reconstruct the remaining pieces of the letter, written in the handwriting of a child. They could make out the name, the year and the location: Dahl; 1989; Oxford, Mississippi.
Touched by the letter and the child’s adventurous spirit, Billy and Brad set out to return the keepsake (纪念品) to its rightful owner. “It really just fueled us to go and say, Let’s go find this guy because this is kind of like-minded,” said Brad.
Billy and Brad stayed late that day to contact local schools, searching for clues. That search didn’t result in a match. However, the note remained on their minds and they decided to continue their search using social media. They posted a picture of the note on social media, which instantly generated interest. Others shared the story widely, and it took on a life of its own.
The news of the mysterious message in a bottle soon made its way to Eric and Melanie Dahl, a couple 200 miles away. The couple had an instinct (直觉) that the letter was composed by their late son, Brian. They recalled that, when he was a sixth grader, he was assigned a creative class project that required him to write a message and place it in a bottle.
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 couple contacted Billy and arranged to check it out.
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Then the couple took it back.
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