Catherine had stayed at home all her life to look after her three children, but now, she, who lost her husband in a car accident, had to step out and earn money to make ends meet. With zero work experience and no professional degree, her chances of getting hired for a well-paid job were next to zero.
One day, after dropping her children at school, Catherine spotted a construction site. “I think I can work here,” she thought and approached the manager.
“Hi, are you hiring?” she asked. “Yes, we are,” the manager looked at Catherine from head to toe. “Are you sure you can work here? This job requires a lot of hard work.” “I’m ready for it,” she told the manager and signed a contract to work a 12-hour shift.
However, Catherine kept her new job a secret from her children. She thought they would feel embarrassed after learning their mother worked at a construction site.
Every morning, after dropping her children to school, she would go to the construction site and work until her shift ended. She would pick up heavy bricks on her shoulder to transport them from one part of the site to the other. One evening, Catherine’s son, Peter, told her about an upcoming contest in school that required mothers to participate. In the competition, students will wear blindfolds and have to recognize their mothers without looking at them. “That sounds like such a cool event, Peter!” Catherine said excitedly. “I can’t wait for it!” “I won’t go therewith you, mom,” Peter replied. “But why?” What her son said next was something Catherine wasn’t prepared to hear.
“Mom, I would have to touch your hands to recognize you, and everyone would look at them,” Peter explained. “Your hands are so ugly. They’re so hard and rough,” he added. “I will feel so embarrassed when my classmates look at your hands,” the boy said. “I won’t attend the event.” Catherine felt terrible but couldn’t say anything in her defense.
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:
A few weeks later, Peter was walking home when something unexpected caught his attention.
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On his way back home, he kept thinking about how he would apologize to his mother:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Finding happiness in life
When John walked into the dining room in the morning, his wife Jenny and his two children, Kevin and Sophie, were sitting at the table. The atmosphere was frosty as John sat down. Sophie, who was only five years old, gave her father a weak smile. Kevin, his teenage son, didn’t look up from his food. Jenny looked at him silently with her arms folded across her chest.
“OK,” John began, “I’m sorry. I know I let everyone down yesterday.”
Kevin looked accusingly at his father. “You missed my music performance at school again! You’ve never come to see me do anything,” he said angrily.
Jenny placed a hand on John’s shoulder. “That’s true! John, you always miss family activities. The last time we had a family outing was five months ago! And I’m exhausted from all the housework.”
As he drank his coffee, John reflected on his life. He had so much to be thankful for: a successful business, a harmonious family and a lovely home. In fact, he had everything he had ever wanted, but he knew something was wrong. He had always believed that with hard work, he could make his family happy. But he realized he was failing. He was spending more time at work and less time at home. He was working in the office until late in the evening and even during weekends. When at home, he was talking on the phone with his clients or sitting in front of the computer reading or writing emails. He was neglecting his family. He hadn’t taken his wife to a nice restaurant for months. Kevin was passionate about music, but John couldn’t remember the last time he saw Kevin perform at a school concert. Sophie was growing up so fast and John had even missed her last birthday party. John realized he had become an absent husband and an absent father.
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。
Later that day, John went to work, determined to make some changes.
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Soon, John felt a big improvement in his life and work.
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Vicky was a first-grade student in a primary school, but she did not feel happy there. Her parents wanted to cheer her up, so they sent her to start her second grade in a primary school nearby. She felt quite happy and wanted to make some new friends. However, she made a mistake. She wanted to become so popular that she ioined a group of students at school, but not in the right way.
Jenny, who was very nice at the beginning, became Vicky’s best friend. But Vicky did not realize that by joining up with her, she would suffer a lot later.
Jenny always acted in a proud and unpleasant wav. showing little thought for others. She did not want Vicky to have other friends. Jenny also enjoyed talking about others’ private lives. Vicky started to change as soon as she met Jenny. Her personality was not as sweet as before any more.
Time went by slowly. Vicky’s marks began to go down. Things got even worse. She hardly had any friends and she didn’t care about her friends at all. either. She always talked to her classmates in an impolite way instead of being nice.
After all that suffering, the day at last arrived when one of her classmates told her that Jenny was not going to be in the school next year as she was moving. Vicky said nothing but in fact did not believe it.
However, on the last day at school Jenny told Vicky that she was leaving. Instead of having a happy parting(分手) , Jenny told her that she never felt that Vicky was her true friend.
Vicky was quite surprised when she heard the news and started crying. When holiday was over, Vicky went back to school. telling herself that all the bad times she had suffered last year with Jenny were over, too. But she found out that her classmates had not forgotten her bad acts.
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。
Vicky couldn’t change this until Lily came to her.
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Finally, Vicky was accepted as a member of the class.
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Among the decorative things in a fifteen-year-old girl’s room, one stood out—a bright blue vase (花瓶). Not a perfect or beautiful vase, it’s broken in several places. The owner of the vase has carefully repaired it, but cracks remain. If this vase could talk, it would tell the story of two girls and a friendship.
Amy and June met on an airplane on their way home from Bangkok where their fathers, who were business partners, were attending meetings. June sat behind Amy. Halfway toward home. Amy turned around and gave June a bright blue vase. June accepted it. They smiled shyly at each other. On that day, a simple friendship between two four-year-old girls was built.
Years flew by. Amy and June grew up together, played together, studied together and, naturally, became closest friends. They supported and comforted each other whenever the other faced sadness, embarrassment, etc.
However, life isn’t a bed of roses. People change as they grow up. Sometimes these changes are hard to accept. And even the friendship can be destroyed. When Amy was 14, she admired a group of very popular girls in her and June’s school. Thus. Amy began hanging out with them and regarded them as her good friends.
Although June was hurt, she tried to be understanding. She was still there for Amy each time Amy found the popular girls didn’t seem to like her and needed a shoulder to cry on. But Amy wasn’t there when June needed her.
Upset about the state of their friendship, June finally invited Amy to her house to talk. When June tried to talk about her difficulties and her problems, Amy turned her back on her by saying. “Later.” Instead, Amy asked June for ideas for what she could do to be accepted by the group of girls. June became angry.
She shouted, “What am I to you, Amy? Your friend or just your little dog?” Amy was annoyed and shouted back. “That is it. June! I hate you!”
Amy rushed out of June’s room, shutting the door hard behind her.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式作答。
A blue vase on the shelf jumped and fell onto the floor, breaking into pieces.
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When June opened the door, Amy handed her a gift, saying. “Hap, happy birthday. June!”
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“I’m not putting up a Christmas tree this year. I just don’t have the spirit,” my husband Bill’s mom said sadly over the phone.
My husband’s parents used to have a big Christmas. There were many lights in their yard, decorations hanging from the ceiling, a big well-decorated, freshly cut tree, etc. It was amazing.
But this year would be different. With Bill’s dad passing late that November, it was understandable that his mom’s holiday spirit was nonexistent. Christmas decorating had been something husband and wife had undertaken together for over fifty years, and she simply would not do it alone.
Still, it was heartbreaking to think that not even a tree would decorate their home this year. Phone calls were made to Mom and conversations were made with her children and grandchildren in order to try to bring back her holiday spirit. Yet, it was no use.
That season, every Christmas song I heard in the stores only made me sadder as I thought of the barren (荒芜的) spot in Mom’s heart. There had to be something that could be done to bring some joy back into her life.
One afternoon, while passing a discount store, I saw many fresh green tabletop trees. They were so beautiful. Then I got an idea. I walked into the store, and selected a multi-colored string of lights and many other decorations I could find. Then I grabbed the largest tree, paid for all the things and walked home with four bags in one hand and a tree in the other.
I couldn’t imagine what I looked like, out in the cold, carrying a tree for half a mile. I only knew I felt a boost in my own heart — a boost I hoped Mom would also feel when I delivered the tree to her. And I wanted her to know that if Dad had still been alive, he would have wished her to be happy. If he had seen her unhappy, he would have been sad.
When I got home, Bill saw the tree. I told him that I would give it to Mom.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式作答。
But he shook his head, saying, “I wouldn’t give this to her. She’s not going to like it…”
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Just when Bill and I secretly put the tree in Mom’s yard, the door suddenly flew open.
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A few weeks after the start of the school year, Mello noticed that his friend Melvin was being laughed at by other classmates for the fact that his shoes were worn out (破旧的). Mello couldn’t stand seeing his friend being bullied (欺凌). He really didn’t appreciate other people talking about him that way. In fact, he had been bullied because he was short, so he decided to call his mother immediately after school. He told her that he was tired of this bad situation and that he couldn’t stand anyone laughing at his friend. So, in an act of generosity, Mello suggested that he use his pocket money to buy Melvin a new pair of shoes. He also said that he could do without a New Year gift. Seeing the little boy acted as an adult, the mother was deeply touched and agreed to his request.
After buying them, Mello went to bed earlier than usual, so he could wake up early the next day and go to school a little earlier. This way he could deliver the shoes to his friend without being noticed by other classmates. However, shortly after he gave the shoes to his friend, the headmaster, Bryant Brown, called him into his office.
Mr. Brown told him that he had seen Melvin with a shoebox around the school. When he asked Melvin what was in the box, Melvin showed him that it was a new pair of shoes. Melvin explained that it was his friend Mello who had bought them for him. Mello explained to Mr. Brown that he bought them with his pocket money. Mr. Brown wanted to share this touching moment with more people, and then he took a picture of the shoes.
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。
Mr. Brown asked the children’s parents for. permission (许可) to share the story online.
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Mr. Brown was amazed to see. his post get so many likes
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I used to enjoy going to my aunt’s flower farm. But not recently, because my newly born sister, Rosa, was settled in my old bedroom. For many years, I stored my books and toys in that small room. But now it was changed into her baby room. Both my space and my old life were gone.
One sunny morning, my aunt took me to her farm again. When we arrived there, my aunt said I could pick some flowers for my parents. I used to love this, but today I was so overcome with tired nest and envy that I did not move.
“Why bother to bother them flowers when they are enjoying Rosa at home without me?” I thought while silently helping mg aunt arrange flowers.
“Your mother told me that there hadn’t been much sleep recently for any of you,” my aunt said.
“The alarm clock in Rosa’s room kept going off,” I complained with a huge yawn(哈欠).
I remember that I had to walk around the house like a worn-out mouse when your mother was a baby. I spent the first months hating her so much, “my aunt laughed.” But you and my mother seem so close,” I said, guiltily hiding away my envy of Rosa.” “Now, we are. But it took me years to get used to the role of being a big sister,” she said and pulled me into her arms. “It really takes time, you know.”
A few seconds later, my aunt took me for a walk along the road which was dotted with beautiful flowers. I began to pick the little flowers as we talked. It was like collecting my childhood memories. I remembered how I’d made flower chains with my father, while giving each other the silliest names such as Princess of Snacks and King of Junk Food. Little by little, my face lit up and the flowers reminded me of the bright colors in my baby sister’s room. “Is she awake?” I wondered.
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。
Suddenly, I saw my parents walking towards me along the road.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________After the picnic, we went to pick some flowers.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Trudy was a child of the British Columbia Care System.
In our home, we already had a child of our own, Margaret, who was thirteen. Our friends thought we were mad to take on another teenage child.
That afternoon, Trudy arrived, She stepped into the front hall and clung to the walls. The first thing that came to my mind was that she looked like a hunted animal. Margaret grabbed her hand and said proudly: “Come and see your room. I helped make your bed.” Trudy pulled back, but didn’t let go of her hand.
At this point, I stepped towards her and said, “Welcome to our home, Trudy.” Her eyes darted back and forth like a creature looking for a way out. This had been her fifth foster (领养) home since she was eleven. No wonder she was afraid. I put my arms around her and told her she would be safe with us.
Trudy was very quiet but pleasant and the two kids got on along well, One day, I took Margaret shopping for a new winter coat, and Trudy came too. Trudy had picked out a jacket that she liked, She walked up to Margret, modelling the jacket, and sighed, “Isn’t it beautiful?” Margaret agreed as they both looked in the mirror. Replacing the jacket on the rack, she rejoined Margaret.
While they were busy, I quietly asked the salesperson to wrap up the jacket that Trudy had tried on. We bought the coat that Margaret had loved, and the salesperson had placed the parcel containing Trudy’s coat where the girls couldn’t see it.
When we arrived home, Margaret proudly modelled her new coat. Trudy was complimenting on her choice. I chose that moment to say, “Trudy, would you please go out and bring in the parcel I left in the car?”
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 happily headed for the parcel and when she returned, laid it on the table.
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I left and went to my room so she would not see my watery eyes.
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Linda went for a job interview at a firm that had several start-up businesses under its wing. She applied to be Executive Secretary of the CEO, but her chance of getting the job was slim because she came in late for the interview.
“I’m truly sorry I have come late, sir,” Linda apologized. “But I had an emergency to attend to earlier today and that is why I couldn’t make it on time. I hope you can give me a chance,” she added. “But the job is to be my secretary and being late for your interview is just not good,” George, the CEO, told her. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to hire you.” Depressed, Linda left.
When Linda got home, her son Jack found that something seemed to be bothering his mom. Then he asked, “What’s wrong, Mom? How did the job interview go?” “I didn’t get the job, son. I didn’t make it in time for the interview,” she sighed. Jack was almost crying upon hearing this, but Linda tired to comfort him. “It’s all right, son. There are many other jobs I can apply for. It’s no big deal,” she said, hugging him.
The following day, Jack copied the address from his mother’s notebook and came to George’s office without telling his mom. “Hi, sir, I’m Jack. My mom came for an interview yesterday, but you rejected her. Could you please give her a second interview, sir?” he said to the CEO.
“Why should I give her another chance?” George asked. “It was because of my fault that she didn’t make it on time. I accidentally dropped some food juice on my shirt. She had to wash it because it was the only uniform that I could wear in school. It took a while to remove the stain (污渍), so she was late,” Jack said.
“My mom works hard, sir. My parents once ran a cleaning supply and equipment business. Owing to something unexpected, the company was closed down. My parents had to start all over again,” Jack continued.
George listened thoughtfully and began to feel sorry for Linda. He thought the position of Marketing Director would better suit Linda since she had relevant experience. Then he told Jack that he would give his mom a second chance.
注意：1．续写词数应为 150左右；
2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The next day, Linda received a call from George, who informed her that she could have a second chance.
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Calming down, Linda asked George why he had changed his mind and had given her another chance.
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“Daddy, I want to ask your permission to study in America,” I said to my father a few months before my graduation from high school. But hardly before I finished, he shouted, “No!”
“But why?” I replied. “If you are worried about money, it will be OK since I have got a scholarship…”
But he refused to give in. At the moment, I didn’t know what to say. For more than two years, I had been working very hard to pass all the necessary examinations. I had not told my father because I wanted to give him a pleasant surprise. I thought he would be very proud of me because it was many of my classmates’ parents’ dream to send their children to study abroad.
“Why do I have to get your permission? I am already 18 and I’m not a kid anymore.” I said angrily and rushed to my bedroom, shutting the door violently. Blinded by anger, I found that I could not stay at my hometown any longer. Late that night, I slipped out of the house and decided to take the bus to the railway station to start my own life as far away from my home as possible.
The bus stop was just two blocks away from my home. When I got there, I found that I forgot to take any money with me and missed the last bus. I did not want to go back home, so I sat down on the bench and closed my eyes to have a break.
Suddenly, I was woken up by my phone. I looked around and found the road was deserted and the street was so quiet that I regretted that I had left home in such a hurry. I picked up the phone and answered the phone even without checking the number.
“Have you had a good sleep? It’s going to rain. Shall we go home now?”
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。
It was my father’s voice!
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I grabbed my bag and hurried to ward him.
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