Unbreakable
My brother and I were playing a game of tag in the house. “Tag! You’re it!”, shouted Alim and ran as fast as his 5-year-old legs could carry him. I chased closely behind. I watched him jump over the sofa and landed, falling sideways to hit our Mom’s favourite vase, the one late Grandpa gave her on her wedding day, off the side table. SMASH!! Alim burst into tears almost at the same time the vase broke. I was equally alarmed said “Ha! Alim, you are in trouble.” This made Alim cry more, “Mummy is going to beat me!”
He was crying so much that I felt sorry for him. Just then Mom came into the house. I rushed over to Alim’s side. “What is this? Who broke my vase?” My Mom shouted. Her eyes were wide open and bright with terrible anger. Alim tried to say something through his tears but I started to clean his wet face with my hand and I said, “I am so sorry, Mom. I broke the vase and told Alim that I would say it was him.” My Mom pulled me by my left ear and dragged me to our room. Alim followed quietly behind. My Mom said, “That’s it. You are grounded for the rest of the holiday.” As she closed the room door on me, I saw Alim’s face in the corner, his eyes very big, looking straight at me.
The door was shut and I felt very alone in the room as I nursed my painful ear. Why did I do that? I thought. Alim should be the one taking the punishment, not me. Humph. He owes me big time. I fell asleep thinking of the ways I could get back at Alim. I woke up suddenly with the realization that Alim was not in the room with me. He had not come to bed. I tiptoed out of the room to look for him. The house was quiet and dark and I was beginning to worry when I noticed the light through the kitchen 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。
When I got there, Alim was picking out the pieces of the vase from the garbage bag.
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The next morning Mum walked into our room and stopped as she saw the “new” vase.
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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 can’t be late. Not today! Malia thought as she raced across the park. Today her hula (裙舞) teacher would choose some students to dance at the luau (夏威夷派对).
Malia reached the end of the park. “Hello, Uncle Charles,” she greeted her teacher. All the dancers called him “Uncle” in the local way. Malia joined her hula sisters beneath a shady monkeypod tree. She pulled on a colorful skirt.
Uncle Charles knelt on a woven mat and beat a rhythm on a drum. The dancers warmed up with basic hula moves. Malia placed her hands on her waist and stepped back and forth.
“Swing your hips (臀部),” Uncle Charles called out. Malia stood in one spot and swung her hips side to side.
After the warm-up, Uncle took out his ukulele. It was time to practice their special dance for the luau. Malia took a deep breath and bent her knees.
“Remember to use expressions. You want to tell the story with your hands and faces,” Uncle said. Twang, twang went the ukulele. Malia lifted her arms. She and her hula sisters danced in a row across the grass. They stretched out their arms like birds in flight. Their movements matched the meaning of the happy song. There was no time to be nervous. Malia was too busy watching her hand motions and remembering her footwork. She also remembered to smile.
“Together! Watch your line,” Uncle called. Malia’s smile grew. She had made no mistakes. She spun to the rhythm of the ukulele and danced over to one side, as if she were on areal stage. Oh no! Malia had danced in the wrong direction. Malia felt her face burn, but she kept dancing and smiling. She turned in time to the music and danced in the proper direction—two steps behind and two beats late.
The music stopped, and Malia shook her head. “I’ll never be picked now.”
注意：1.续写部分词数应为120个左右；
2.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1
The class was over for the day.
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Suddenly, Uncle’s voice interrupted Malia’s thought.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Lily’s Gift
Lily loved her mom more than anything in the world. Her mom worked hard every day to provide for Lily and her little brother, Jake, She was a nurse at the local hospital, and she often had to work long hours and night shifts. Ella knew her mom was tired and stressed, but she always had a smile and a hug for her children.
Lily wanted to do something special for her mom this Christmas. She wanted to show her how much she appreciated her and how much she loved her. She decided to buy her a gift, something that would make her happy and beautiful. She had seen a necklace at the mall, a silver chain with a heart-shaped pendant that had the word “Mom” engraved on it. Lily thought it was perfect for her mom.
But the necklace was expensive. It cost $50, and Lily didn’t have that much money. She only got $5 every week as her pocket money, and she had to save some of it for school supplies and snacks. She also had to help Jake with his homework and chores, so she didn’t have time to get a part-time job. Lily decided to save as much as she could from her pocket money. She also looked for ways to earn extra money. She sold some of her old toys and books at a garage sale. She offered to walk her neighbors’ dogs and water their plants. She even gave up her birthday money and asked for no presents.
It took her months to save enough money for the necklace. She had to resist the temptation to spend it on candy, movies, or clothes. She kept her goal in mind and reminded herself of how happy her mom would be.
Finally, on Christmas Eve, she had enough money. She ran to the mall and bought the necklace. She wrapped it in a shiny red paper and put a bow on it. She wrote a card that said, “To Mom, with love from Lily.”
注意：1．续写词数应为150词左右；
2．请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
She hid the gift under her bed and waited for Christmas morning.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“I saved up for it, mom. I wanted to give you something special. I love you so much,” Lily said.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Sizzle, sizzle (咝咝声)! The egg bubbled (冒泡)on the frying pan. I watched as its edges turned slightly brown then a bit black. Unfortunately, my head was stuck in the clouds, wondering if my parents would like my first attempt at cooking. I tried something simple, as I was still learning this new skill. When will the pots and pans respond to my call? How can I master steaming, boiling, frying, and the types of ingredients?
“Ah! No! My egg!” I shouted.
I quickly turned off the stove and slid (滑到)the blackened egg onto a plate. The color contrasted with the beautiful egg I had seen on YouTube previously. Mine looked nothing like the one online. Again, I wondered if my parents would appreciate the egg.
I split the egg right down the middle, hoping to see the yolk (蛋黄) flow out. To my disappointment, I discovered a firm yolk inside. I let out a frustrated sigh, turned and walked out of the kitchen with the plate in my hands.
At first, my parents were relatively pleased that the egg looked more or less like what they had imagined. But when they put it into their mouths, they tried to hide their discomfort. My Mom forced out a smile as she swallowed the egg.
“Good attempt Daniel!” she exclaimed cheerfully.
“It tastes delicious!” my Dad added in.
I could visibly see that their faces were twisted (扭曲)in disgust. It was painfully obvious that my egg tasted horrible.
“It’s fine,” I sighed. “I know the egg tastes bad.”
Disappointed, I trudged (费力地走) back into my room, unable to contain the feelings of failure bursting inside of me.
Don’t give up! I told myself. This is only your first attempt and if you persevere, you will surely improve!
With determination burning in me again, I turned on my laptop and searched for any cooking techniques I needed to master in order to cook. YouTube videos gave me a bit of reference, but I needed to seek advice.
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。
Paragraph 1: My sister Anne is an expert at cooking! I thought.
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Paragraph 2: After studying with Anne for a few months, I attempted once again to impress my parents.
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Benched?
Anxious, Devin sat in the back seat of the car. “I have so much energy!” he said. “Do I really have to sit and watch?”
“It’s just for one more game.” Devin’s father said as he drove into the parking lot by the outdoor basketball court. “It’s better to stay on the safe side.”
Devin sighed. “It’s been a week since I got injured,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt at all.”
But it did hurt when he was in last week’s game. He twisted to avoid a defender and ended up spraining his ankle. “The doctor said 10 days,” his father reminded him. “No jumping. You can ease back into basketball next week.”
Devin ran his fingers over the logo on his basketball uniform. He was ready for the game, but he knew he’d be spending it on the bench. The summer season was short — just eight games —and he’d already missed one.
“I just want to help my team win,” he said as he got out of the car. “I can’t do that if I’m not on the court.”
Devin loved hearing the thump (沉闷的撞击声), thump, thump of basketballs and the feeling of excitement before every game. Hip-hop music from the loudspeaker made him feel like dancing. The energy in the air would make it even harder for him not to participate.
Before the game, Coach reminded the players to make smart passes and play tough defense. Without Devin’s leadership and skill, his team would need a huge effort.
By halftime, Coach praised the players for their hard work. With Devin unable to play, the team had only one extra player, so no one was getting much rest.
The game was fierce. The score stood at 47 to 49 with three minutes left in the game. Devin sat down and rubbed his hands together. “I’m a loser here on the bench. I can do nothing to help.” he thought.
Coach called a timeout(比赛暂停) and gathered the players to give some advice.
注意：1. 续写词数为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答.
Suddenly, Coach turned to Devin. “Do you have anything to add?”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The game was over and his team had a two-point victory!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________For 8-year-old Perryn Miller and his family from Holly Ridge, North Carolina, Christmas was anything but relaxing. Their troubles were far more depressing than the regular holiday headaches. Earlier last year, the Millers lost their home to Hurricane Florence. They’ve been staying in a small house ever since.
Last December, the family travelled to Utah to visit their relatives, where they were hoping for a brief break. That was when Perryn started experiencing headaches. His parents, Jacob and Jaimee, received shocking news that their little boy had cancer after a trip to the emergency room. Doctors diagnosed Perryn with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and aggressive form of brain disease. The family has remained in Utah ever since, so Perryn can go through chemotherapy and radiation at Primary Children’s Hospital. He’s already proved what a little fighter he is by making it through surgery.
His parents are obviously heartbroken, but they say they’re also moved by the outpouring of support they’ve received. Just over two weeks after creating a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Perryn’s medical expenses, they’ve already received nearly $50,000.
For Perryn, though, there was one thing missing in his recovery: the comforting presence of his dog, Frank. Perryn has a deep bond with Frank. Every afternoon, Frank would go to the side of the road to wait for Perryn who would come home on the school bus. However, the 8-month-old German dog had been left behind in North Carolina while they were visiting their relatives in Utah, and it was being looked after by their neighbor. It is 2,300 miles from Holly Ridge, North Carolina to the house of Perryn’s relatives. Under normal circumstances, it takes 52 hours to drive to get to the Primary Children’s Hospital. Perryn’s story quickly spread on social media, where it caught the eye of a former truck driver, Bob Reynolds, who was a stranger to the Millers at that time.
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。
Bob Reynolds decided to offer Perryn an amazing gift.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Then after thorough preparation, Bob set out.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________At one table by the window, a lady just finished up her lunch. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a sandwich and some salad, with a cup of tea to wash it all down. She seemed to be in her own little world, staring out the window every now and then, like she was waiting for something. After a bit, she got up, paid for her meal at the counter and left.
Her table was still a mess, with bits of her meal left behind. I, a young boy, had a hard time, and had been watching her from the table around the corner.
I was in rough shape. My clothes were too big. My hair was all over the place, and my face had streaks (条痕) of dirt on it. When the lady left, I saw my chance. I quickly sat down and started wolfing down the leftovers (吃剩的食物) like it was the best meal I’d ever had.
But then, the waiter walked over. He was an older guy who’d probably seen everything. He didn’t say anything at first, just watched me for a second. I got scared, stopped eating, and tears started to fill my eyes. I thought the waiter would kick me out for sure. Instead, the waiter took away the half-eaten plate, and my heart sank.
I got up to leave, but before I could get far, the waiter came back and asked me to wait for a moment. The waiter gave me a full and fresh meal.
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。
Seeing what was happening, all the people in the cafe smiled.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I couldn’t thank the waiter enough with a full stomach and a happy heart.
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