When I was in middle school, my family moved to Seattle, where my parents started their new business — a small grocery store downstairs my house. As a girl of shy and reserved nature, I had to take a fresh start to fit into the sophisticated city life.
One sunny day, my school announced an exciting event, a talent show for the local food bank. Students were encouraged to showcase their unique talents in front of the public in the city hall on National Day. A buzz of excitement fed the school as everyone began preparing for the big day. Deep down, I felt a spark of curiosity and a desire to participate. However, my self-doubt held me back, “I don’t have any special skills to share.”
Days turned into weeks, and the talent show drew closer. I couldn’t shake the upsetting feeling until one day, Emma, one of the most popular girls in my class, came to me while I was helping in the grocery store after class. “How about singing together in the talent show?” She grinned, “I heard you singing a tune, along the way back home. I can’t help following you here.” Gosh, I couldn’t believe my ears. Emma, with personality and popularity, acknowledged my little talent. Since Emma had the world’s prettiest voice, I felt like being favoured by fortune.
“You two? The talent show for the food bank?” My mum bent towards us and her face lit up. “A big occasion.” Then a light bulb seemed to go in her head. “Why not practise right now upstairs? I bet you’ll be a perfect match.” Winking at us, she seemed to know we were thinking alike.
Emma and I embarked on rehearsing almost every single day after school. We brainstormed, exchanged ideas and rehearsed the scene. As the days rolled by, I was feeling pretty good about our act. But the day before the performance, Emma called that she had an acute stomachache and was not in any shape to perform.
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。
Paragraph 1:
I was completely knocked out by the news.
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Finally came the big moment.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________An old and fragile woman approached a very busy road intersection. She stepped slowly forwards. She paused at the sidewalk’s edge, grasping a heavy bucket filled with fresh red apples. She aimed to cross the street.
The way to the intersection before her seemed like a tough journey. The traffic lights changed regularly, and the flow of cars seemed to be non-stop for the old woman. She knew she had to cross the street to reach her destination, a small grocery store on the other side, where she sold her apples to make ends meet.
As she slowly made her way to the crosswalk, she held the handle of the bucket. A kind-hearted driver in the first car, recognizing her struggle, stopped well before the sidewalk, allowing her to cross safely. Grateful for this act of kindness, the old woman nodded and offered the driver a slight smile as she inched forward.
A second car, in the next road, also came to a stop. Its driver also witnessed the old woman’s slow progress. The kindness of strangers warmed her heart, and with their help, she moved another step closer to her destination.
However, the third road was a different story. As the old woman moved carefully further into the road, a speeding car approached, its engine making loud sound like a beast. Panic flowed through the old lady as she realized the approaching danger. The driver of the third car had not noticed her until the very last moment.
With a jolt (颠簸) of terror, the old woman’s holding on the bucket weakened, and the bucket slipped from her weak grasp. The bucket fell to the ground, releasing its goods of apples, which scattered (散开) in all directions. The sound of the crashing bucket and rolling apples echoed through the busy city traffic.
In the emergent time, the driver of the speeding car stepped on the brake to a stop just inches from the old woman. The drivers’ heart pounded in their chest as they realized how close it had come to a tragedy.
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。
Shaken but unharmed, the old woman stood frozen, her eyes wide open with fear.
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Eventually, with all the apples collected, the three drivers helped the old lady cross the road.
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I had stopped at the Swindon services (服务区) while on my way back to London. As I drove up the slip road, I spotted a man with a backpack and his thumb (拇指) out. I pulled over and lowered the window.
“Which way are you heading?” I asked. “I’m going back to London.”
“Ah, that would be grand,” came his immediate reply. He opened the door and lifted his backpack on to the back seat. “I’m Brendan,” he said with an easy smile and a rich Irish tongue. “I was getting a bit desperate. I've had my thumb out for a day and half. Nobody seems to stop these days.”
“I haven’t eaten in days,” said Brendan. “I’m trying to get home.”
I’ve always enjoyed picking up hitchhikers (搭便车的人). I used to be a motoring journalist and crossed the country in various test cars. Picking up a hiker always made me feel a little less guilty about all the miles I was doing.
As we headed cast along the motorway, Brendan told me how he came to be waiting for a lift on that particular evening, and also about the two recent family tragedies that had ruined him and pushed him out of his old life and on to the road.
Brendan told me that he was 52. He laughed a lot and enjoyed his off-grid (不入网的) lifestyle. Until last week, that is, when he’d been mugged (抢劫).
“Three young men in Birmingham took my other pack and it had all my money in it. I’ve been sleeping out since then. I haven’t eaten in days. I’m hoping to get some casual work in London, so I can then get myself home to Ireland.”
It must have been the concept of home that got me, and helping a man who'd clearly had a tough time seemed like the right thing to do.
Para.1:
As we were approaching the Heathrow turn-off (希思罗机场岔道), I had an idea.
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Para.2:
Before he left to buy his air ticket, he gave me a huge hug.
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In 1989, I was away from my home in Malaysia attending the University of Kansas in the USA. I found an advertisement for a summer job as a programmer at Ulm in what was then West Germany. I submitted my application and got an interview. What made me pleased was that I was offered the job after the interview. I thought it was a good opportunity to see part of a new continent.
Both Malaysia and the USA emerged from Britain, so we have common standards for the way many things are done. Naturally, I expected things at Ulm would be different—big things, like language and culture—but I never expected small cultural differences would affect me. For example, I was surprised that little things like how doors fit into doorframes were different. The bread was also very different. While it was fun at first to eat the various kinds of food, after some time I longed for the white, square and soft bread I was used to. And the big things were not that bad: the folks in the city of Ulm mostly didn’t speak English well but were very friendly and helpful.
One of these small differences, however, tripped me up early in my stay. The first few days, my employer put me up in a bed-and-breakfast hotel. Then I found a small studio apartment to rent. It was evening by the time I got settled in. Since there were all-night grocery stores in the US and grocery stores in Malaysia were open late at night, I made a habit of going out to buy some food and other necessities like soap for the shower. But to my surprise and horror, every single shop was closed! I was alone with no food or any other kind of necessary items. I wandered around hopelessly in the street for a while.
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。
Then I saw a university student with whom I talked about my experience.
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At his home, I found that he did not possess much.
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Hector stood in the front of his classroom as one of the last two competitors in the Class Five Geography Competition. His opponent having missed the last question, it was Hector’s turn. If he answered his question correctly, he would be the champion of Class Five.
“Where did I put that second sheet of questions?” Mr. Adler whispered while searching through a thick pile of papers on his messy desk. Mr. Adler, though a great teacher, had a reputation of being disorganized with a long history of misplacing things. “Oh well, I apologize for the delay.” said Mr. Adler after what seemed like a long time. “Hector, please tell us the capital city of Brazil.” Hearing the question, Hector smiled. Then, there was the answer.
Later that day in the courtyard, many classmates congratulated Hector. Wearing a proud smile, he greeted and thanked them all. Oh, the sweet taste of victory.
As it was getting late, the courtyard became deserted. But Hector still didn’t want to leave. Then he saw Mr. Adler crossing the courtyard and holding a half-open bag full of papers. As he hurried past, an envelope dropped out but Mr. Adler was unaware. He turned a corner and disappeared out of sight. Hector picked it up. On the envelope were the words “School Geography Competition Questions and Answers”. Hector stared wide-eyed at the envelope. Before he even had time to reflect on the consequences, he opened it and read the questions.
As soon as Hector had done it, he knew it was the wrong choice. He’d cheated and whatever he did now, he couldn’t change the fact. “What if Mr. Adler thought I stole this morning’s questions too?” Hector thought. “He’d take away my Class Five victory for sure.” Little did he know that one of the best days in his life would be turned into the worst so quickly. Torn by his conscience(良知), Hector was totally at a loss what to do.
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。
Before he realized it, Hector found himself standing in Mr. Adler’s room.
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The next day the entire school came to watch the School Geography Competition.
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Alphabetical (字母表的) order was a big problem for Keisha Williams. In every list, on every line, in the lunchroom and the classroom, teachers put all the W’s together. Alice Wilkins was always one place ahead of Keisha.
“You two are going to be friends,” said the girls’ teacher, Ms. Mubarak, “whether you like it or not.”
Yeah, right. Could she be friends with Alice? “I doubt it,” Keisha thought. Alice was perfect. She was everything Keisha wasn’t. Alice changed her hairstyle every day. She always wore beautiful clothing. She had polish (指甲油) on her nails. Keisha had plain (普通的) nails, a very ordinary hairstyle — and not to mention her out-of-tyle clothes.
Alice had new fashionable notebooks. Keisha’s notebooks were boring black and white. Keisha complained to her mother that her notebooks were too plain. “They still have paper and lines,” her mother said. “You don’t need glitter (华丽) to make you smart.”
Keisha thought Alice’s mother treated her like a grown-up. Alice had a house key and said that she always let herself into her apartment. But when Keisha came home, she had to ring for her mother to open the door. And every time, her mother would give her a big bear hug. That’s for babies, Keisha always thought, trying to free herself from her mother’s arms.
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:
One Tuesday at school when math tests were handed back, Keisha got her usual A.
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Paragraph 2:
Later, in the cafeteria, Keisha and Alice worked on math problems together.
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Mom was busy in the kitchen when my brother Marco and I got home from school on Friday. “Did you remember your grandmother’s coming today?” She asked. “Sure, Mom,” we laughed. “Didn’t you notice we cleaned our rooms?” Mom smiled and continued, “Thanks. I know I shouldn’t be nervous, but my mother hasn’t been here for almost six years! As I was growing up, her house always looked perfect. So I want everything to be well.”
“Perfect,” I said with a smile. “What else can we do to help before she gets here?”
Mom looked around,“You two could set the table. Use the good bowls. And be very careful with the glasses Grandma gave to us before you were born!”
As Mom prepared a big meal, Marco and I set the table. I taught Marco how to line up the forks on the left side of each p late and the knives and spoons on the right. In the center of the table, we placed a set of tall white candles. Then we stepped back and looked at our work. It seemed something was missing. “What’s missing?” I asked Marco.
“Napkins?” He asked. “And I don’t think Mom would want us to use paper ones!”
We both laughed. Marco opened a drawer and took out the nice cloth napkins Mom saved for special occasions （场合）. The soft white squares were folded in the middle, and we placed one on each plate. “Do you think that looks good enough?” I asked.
“No,” Marco answered. “Let’s make them look better. Remember the restaurant we went to last year? Their napkins were folded into different shapes! That was great!”
I nodded and unfolded the cloth napkin in front of me. “Look,” I said, pointing to the napkin, “These lines make special shapes. That gives me a great idea! Let’s do origami （折纸）. That’ll make the napkins unique!”
Marco looked confused, so I explained,“Origami’s a kind of folding art. People usually use paper, but you can use cloth. You make boats, birds or flowers just by folding. Nothing else is needed!”
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。
Mom heard us and came to help.
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We placed a different origami napkin on each plate.
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The MP3 has become a new fashion on campus. I had long dreamed of owning a MP3. The more MP3 owners were on campus, the stronger my desire (渴望) became. Finally, during one of my monthly visits home, I begged my parents to let me buy one, “Dad, Mom, I ... I want to buy a MP3 ... , the one for …”
I swallowed (吞咽) the rest of my words. Did I really need to explain what a MP3 was? Surely everybody knew!
At first there was no response from my parents. But my little brother replied eagerly, “Me too!”
Then finally my dad spoke, “What! What is it for? This little stuff breaks down soon after you get it! It’s an absolutely useless expense (花费) …”
Then, I had an idea. When the summer vacation came, I lied to my parents that I couldn’t stay at home, because the school had supplementary (附加的) programs. As a result, I earned my money for a new MP3 through my part-time job.
I was at home the night before my new school when Mom came into my room. She sat on my bed, and patted me on the shoulder. Then she handed me a small box. “Take this. Don’t tell your father ... Now, study hard, okay?” she said softly.
“Mom, how did you ... ?” I asked.
“It’s from my own savings. Your father doesn’t know.” I sat alone for a long time with my new MP3, weeping (哭泣) silently.
When I went back to school, I decided to give up my part-time job so that I could study harder for my parents, for my dream. My motivation (动机) to study has never been so strong.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在以下位置作答。
Para1:
One afternoon, I was in my dorm when a classmate told me that my father was waiting for me downstairs.
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Para2:
I sat down and unwrapped (打开) the box.
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The first day back in the school gym after summer break had always felt so right. But as the sixth graders appeared, walking lazily, I felt uneasy. None of the old greetings with high-fives or pats on the shoulder for jobs well done. Long summer break wasn't going to help me feel connected to the kids in the way I was used to. My confidence as a teacher had taken a hit, and I was trying to get back on my game. I hoped the kids couldn't tell.
“Let's take our places!” I called out, making sure to speak clearly. “Six feet apart, everybody. Keep six feet apart.” Awkwardness couldn't begin to describe how I'd felt when all this first started.
“Okay, guys,” I called out, “let's do our warm-up.” These sixth graders knew my routine, at least. I felt a little more comfortable knowing we had a history. Many of them had been my students since first grade. And then I noticed a kid I'd taught since second grade.
“Wow, buddy,” I said, walking his way. “Looks like you lost some weight?”
Owen looked down at himself and shrugged. “I played some baseball over the summer,” he said. Owen was an athletic kid, but I wondered how much baseball he had played in the heat to turn him into skin and bones. Otherwise he seemed like the boy I knew, and he said everything was fine.
We spent the first week of lessons on outdoor soccer. We traveled through circuit training stations doing push-ups and sit-ups.
Monday morning, I stood in front of three wide rows of sixth graders sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor. We'd played a rousing game of soccer, but they were still bursting with energy. All except Owen, whose eyes were closed. His chin touched his chest. He'd nodded off, right here in gym class. Something wasn't right.
I called Owen's mother, asking cautiously, “Have you noticed Owen being thirstier than usual? They're signs of diabetes (糖尿病) . He should see a doctor today.”
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。
Owen's mother took my advice.
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Obviously, Owen needed to stay in hospital for treatments. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Early in the morning, Abbie, a cleaner, got out of her truck and loaded all the rubbish into her vehicle. She was about to leave when she noticed a stroller (婴儿车) in the middle of the road.
Wondering why a stroller was lying there with nobody around, she decided to approach it. When she looked inside, she jumped back, surprised to find’ twin baby girls sleeping in it.’ Abbie looked around again but didn’t see anyone. She knocked on a few nearby doors, asking if they knew anyone with twin baby girls, but no one did.
Finally, Abbie called the police and the CPS (儿童保护服务局) was called in, and the kids were placed in their care. “You didn’t find anything on the girls, ma’am?” Officer Barton whose wife was an art teacher asked. “No, ” she said. “But how can someone just give up such beautiful babies?” The officer said, “Thank you, ma’am. We’ll let you know if we come across anything.”
Abbie lived alone and had no children. That night at home, she felt terrible when she thought about the girls. What if something terrible happened to them?
Time flew by, and there was no information about the twins’ parents. Abbie was ready to adopt (收养) them. But when she got to the CPS, Barton told her, “So sorry that they’re deaf. People don’t want disabled children.”
“Who said that?” Abbie shouted, jumping to her feet. “ I will do anything to bring them up!” Hearing this, Barton felt moved.
Abbie named the girls Hannah and Daina. She didn’t even have separate beds for the girls, but Abbie loved them and began working two jobs to support them. Abbie was very happy that Hannah and Daina studied hard at school, and they were good at drawing models and clothes.
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。
12 years later, Abbie received a call from Bethany, the founder of a fashion company.
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“Thanks for your help, Bethany,” Abbie said excitedly.
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