A MOTHER’S DAY SURPRISE
The twins were filled with excitement as they thought of the surprise they were planning for Mother’s Day. How pleased and proud Mother would be when they brought her breakfast in bed. They planned to make French toast and chicken porridge. They had watched their mother in the kitchen. There was nothing to it. Jenna and Jeff knew exactly what to do.
The big day came at last. The alarm rang at 6 a.m. The pair went down the stairs quietly to the kitchen. They decided to boil the porridge first. They put some rice into a pot of water and left it to boil while they made the French toast. Jeff broke two eggs into a plate and added in some milk. Jenna found the bread and put two slices into the egg mixture. Next, Jeff turned on the second stove burner to heat up the frying pan. Everything was going smoothly until Jeff started frying the bread. The pan was too hot and the bread turned black within seconds. Jenna threw the burnt piece into the sink and put in the other slice of bread. This time, she turned down the fire so it cooked nicely.
Then Jeff noticed steam shooting out of the pot and the lid starting to shake. The next minute, the porridge boiled over and put out the fire. Jenna panicked. Thankfully, Jeff stayed calm and turned off the gas quickly. But the stove was a mess now. Jenna told Jeff to clean it up so they could continue to cook the rest of the porridge. But Jeff’s hand touched the hot burner and he gave a cry of pain. Jenna made him put his hand in cold water. Then she caught the smell of burning. Oh dear! The piece of bread in the pan had turned black as well.
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。
As the twins looked around them in disappointment, their father appeared.
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The Meredith family lived in a small community. As the economy was in decline, some people in the town had lost their jobs. Many of their families were struggling to make ends meet. People were trying to help each other meet the challenges.
Mrs. Meredith was a most kind and thoughtful woman. She spent a great deal of time visiting the poor. She knew they had problems, and they needed all kinds of help. When she had time, she would bring food and medicine to them.
One morning she told her children about a family she had visited the day before. There was a man sick in bed, his wife, who took care of him and could not go out to work, and their little boy. The little boy -his name was Bernard-had interested her very much.
“I wish you could see him,” she said to her own children, John, Harry, and Clara. “He is such a help to his mother. He wants very much to earn some money, but I don't see what he can do.”
After their mother left the room, the children sat thinking about Bernard. “I wish we could help him to earn money,” said Clara. “His family is suffering so much.”
“So do I,” said Harry. “We really should do something to assist them.”
For some moments, John said nothing, but, suddenly, he sprang to his feet and cried, “I have a great idea! I have a solution that we can all help accomplish(完成).”
The other children also jumped up all attention. When John had an idea, it was sure to be a good one. “I tell you what we can do,” said John. “You know that big box of corn Uncle John sent us? Well, we can make popcorn(爆米花), and put it into paper bags, and Bernard can take it around to the houses and sell it.”
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 Mrs. Meredith heard of John's idea, she thought it was a good one, too.
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With everything ready, Bernard started out on his new business.
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Jim slumped on the couch. Mother’s Day was coming up, and he didn’t have a present. “How can I buy a present without money?” he thought.
Jim picked up the newspaper that was lying on the couch. He noticed a large advertisement on the front page. The local department store was sponsoring a contest. “Tell us why your mom is special and win a shopping spree(疯狂购物) for her,” said the ad.
“This is perfect!” thought Jim. He ran to his room with the newspaper, taking a pencil and a blank piece of paper from his desk, he started to write.
“My mom is the best mother in the world. She always makes a lunch for me to take to school, and she never forgets my dessert. She reads as many books to me before bed as I want. She always remembers to check under the bed for monsters. And she gives the best hug, but never in front of my friends, who would laugh at me for hugging my mom.”
Jim liked what he had written. He copied it neatly and got an envelope and a stamp from his dad. He ran to the mailbox with his entry(参赛作品), “Mom will love having a shopping spree,” he thought.
Jim checked the mailbox every day for his prize. Days passed by, and then weeks. Soon it was the day before Mother’s Day. Jim still hadn’t heard anything about the contest.
“What am I going to do now?” he wondered. He didn’t have a present, and he didn’t have a shopping spree, and he still didn’t have any money. He had to think of something. Jim closed his eyes and curled his toes and thought so hard that his ears hurt.
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 he had an idea.
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The next morning, Jim handed his present to his mom.
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Jack was a bright and curious child, always eager to learn new things and explore the mysterious world about science. However, he often found himself in disagreement with his mother. His mother was always busy with her work and she didn’t have enough time to learn about his interests and passions.
One day, Jack came home from school feeling particularly excited. He just found a sci-fi book about an adventure on the moon. Upon arriving at home, he couldn’t tear himself away from the book. He read and read until it was dark. Having finished reading it, he couldn’t wait to share it with his mother, only to be told that he should focus on more practical subjects like math and history, which would help him get into a good college and have a successful career.
Jack couldn’t understand why his mother didn’t see the value in what he was doing. He felt that she was holding him back and not allowing him to pursue his true interests. “Why can’t you see how important this is to me?” Jack asked his mother angrily. “I’m never going to be happy if I have to spend my life doing things that I show no interest in just because they are practical or make you proud.”
The once peaceful home was filled with tension and anger. His mother’s voice grew louder as she shouted, “You can’t just do whatever you want! You should be responsible for your future!” Jack, fueled by his own frustration, shot back, “I am tired of you always telling me what to do! I am not a child anymore! You only care about your own feeling! You never thought about my feeling!” They were so caught up in their own anger and hurt that they failed to see how their words and actions were affecting each other.
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。
Jack rushed into his bedroom and locked the door heavily.
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When Jack heard his mother’s words, regretful tears rolled down his face.
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My husband has been out of town for work this past week. When he travels, he typically is only gone for a day or two, but this time it was a few days longer. He was set to come home last night, but as he boarded the plane his fight was announced canceled and he had to return to the hotel to wait for the next fight. He learned very quickly the city was struggling due to high crime rate. He was not able to get a Uber or taxi at 4:30 a.m. to get to the airport for his flight due to workers being fearful of their lives. When I told my kids dad was not going to be home that night, they were both upset.
My husband was the head coach of my 5-year old’s baseball team. They had a game the next morning and my husband was trying so badly to make it home in time. The thought of possibly missing our son’s game rally made him mad. He wanted to be there because this was their thing and he didn’t want to let him or the other boys down.
A young man by the name of Asher, who worked at the hotel my husband stayed at, overheard my husband’s dilemma. He realized he was not able to get transportation to the airport. This young man offered to wake up and get my husband to the airport at 4:30 a.m. My husband was in shock -a complete stranger would offer to do such a big act of kindness. When he called me to tell me the possible ride, he was so hopeful. This young man honored his word and brought my husband to the airport safely.
I didn’t want to get my son’s hopes up, so I told him, “Dad is trying to get home for your game but I am not sure whether he will make it.” That morning, on the way to the baseball field, both my kids looked up in the sky the entire ride to the field and pointed at planes in the sky saying, “Maybe that’s dad’s plane.”
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
As we reached the baseball field, we were a few minutes late.
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I saw a familiar figure and my son walked towards me.
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Sweat poured down Marquez’s face. He was preparing for a basketball game and he would win. That was a pretty sure thing. After all, he wasn’t just good; he was excellent.
Basketball was a way of life in Marquez’s family. His older brother Reggie was now playing at a top college. Marquez was ready to follow in his brother’s footsteps and make his family proud. But he had a secret. As good as he was at basketball, Marquez’s heart wasn’t in it anymore. He had another sport on his mind.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead (额头), Marquez jumped on a bus heading home. Through the bus window, he could see cheerleaders dancing and performing amazingly on the field. Marquez was attracted. He pulled out a sheet from his bookbag. Across the top in big block letters was the phrase: Cheerleading Competition (啦啦队比赛). That’s what Marquez really wanted to do. He longed for a new challenge.
Although it is accepted that cheerleading was girly, Marquez knew the meaning of cheerleading for a game. He also knew that cheerleading wouldn’t just be a physical challenge; it would be an emotional one, too.
Now, he knew it was time for him to tell his family.
As soon as he arrived home, his parents and Reggie were at the door. Marquez’s face grew bright as he hugged Reggie. “You’re home?” “Of course, little man. I planned to come to your game. You’re going to be a better player than me!”
Everyone in the family was smiling…except Marquez. His family had such high expectations for him when it came to basketball. But Marquez was tired of trying to keep up with his brother. He was ready to carve his own path. He wanted to tell his parents, but Reggie being there put much more pressure on him.
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。
However, Marquez knew what had to be done.
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Over the next few weeks, his family began to understand and support him for the big event.
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A Father’s Day Surprise
“Mano, do you know when Father’s Day is celebrated?” Ali asked his sister.
“Yes, it is going to be celebrated on June 19 this year. Yesterday my friend and I were talking about it.” Mano replied.
“Do you have any idea how we should celebrate this day and make it memorable for Dad?” Ali asked.
“Hmm... I was thinking about it too and have some ideas.” Mano answered excitedly. “What are you kids talking about?” their mum asked, entering their room.
“Mum, we were wondering about how to celebrate Father’s Day.” Mano said.
“Oh, I am surprised you kids remembered! Well, I am thinking of cooking some favorite dishes for your father. You both should think of ways to decorate the house beautifully.”Mum said.
“That would be great!”said Mano and Ali together. Both of them got up smiling, thinking of hundreds of ways to celebrate Father’s Day. Mum went to the kitchen, and Mano and Ali started doing their homework. But soon Ali noticed Mano deep in thought so he asked what the matter was. “Ali, I was thinking that our parents do everything for us and in return they want nothing. Isn’t it bad that we never think about them and are always concerned about our needs?” Mano replied. “Sometimes we are so busy with our lives that we don’t pay proper attention to our parents. We should listen to whatever they say properly and answer them. We must also study hard to get good grades.” Ali nodded.
The next day, all three of them, Mano, Ali and their mum, got busy preparing their surprise celebration for Father’s Day. Mano drew a family picture with her crayons, Ali bought balloons and candles and began writing a poem which he planned to sing that day. In short, a lot of things were being planned and prepared.
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:
Finally, when Father’s day came, both Ali and Mano came home from school and started decorating the house.
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Ali and Mano cried out together, “Happy Father’s Day!”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Every Saturday, Grandpa and I walk to the nursing home (养老院) a few blocks away from our house to visit some of the old people who live there.
First we visit Mrs. Sokol. I call her “The Cook.” She likes to talk about the time when she was a well-known cook back in Russia. People would come from miles around, just to taste her famous chicken soup.
Next we visit Mr. Meyer. I call him “The Joke Man.” He tells us jokes, and laughs at his own jokes, shaking up and down and turning red in the face. Grandpa and I can’t help but laugh along with him, even when the jokes aren’t very funny.
Next door is Mr. Lipman. I call him “The Singer” because he loves to sing for us. Whenever he does, his beautiful voice fills the air, so clear and strong that we always sing along with him.
Then we visit Mrs. Kagan, “The Grandmother,” who shows us pictures of her grandchildren. They’re all over the room, in frames (画框) and even taped to the walls.
One day Grandpa got sick and had to go to the hospital. The doctors said they didn’t think he would ever get better.
Saturday came. How could I go visiting the nursing home without Grandpa? Then I remembered what Grandpa once told me: “Nothing should stand in the way of doing a good deed (行为).” So I went alone. Everyone was happy to see me. They were surprised when they didn’t see Grandpa. When I told them that he was sick and in the hospital, they were sad. They told me that Grandpa would have a complete recovery.
The Cook went on to reveal (透露) some of her secret recipes (食谱). The Joke Man told me his latest jokes. The Singer sang a song especially for me. The Grandmother showed me more pictures. After a while, I said goodbye to everyone.
A few days later, Grandpa was still in the hospital. He was not eating, he could not sit up and he could hardly speak. I went to the corner of the room so Grandpa wouldn’t see me cry.
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。
Suddenly the nurse came into the room and said, “You have some visitors.”
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That evening, Grandpa called the nurse in and said he was hungry. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Secret Promise Kept
When I was a little boy, I loved to visit the fire station where my father worked. Sometimes Dad would give me a ten cents to buy a soda (汽水).
One day, I took two friends to the station to show my dad off. I asked Dad if we could each have a soda before we went home for lunch. I sensed just the slightest hesitation in my father’s voice. But he said “sure” and gave us each a dime (一毛钱). We each bought a soda and headed home for lunch and a summer afternoon of swimming.
When I came home, I heard my parents talking. Mom seemed upset with Dad, and then I heard my name mentioned. “You should have just said you didn’t have money for sodas. Brian would have understood. We don’t have any extra money, and you need to have your lunch.”
I suddenly realized the sacrifice (牺牲) my father had made for it. For the next twenty years, he worked three jobs to support my big family.
One afternoon Dad’s old car broke down, and he asked me to take him to his doctor’s appointment. As I pulled up to the firehouse, I saw Dad outside around a brand-new pickup truck with the other firemen. It was a beauty. Dad said, “Someday, I’ll own a truck like that.”
My brothers and I were doing well in business. We had offered to buy him a truck, but he refused.
When Dad stepped out of the doctor’s office, his face was pale. “Let’s go,” was all he said.
We drove by the old house, the lake and the corner store, and Dad started talking about the memories each place held and how proud he was of us. That was when I knew he was dying, which totally shocked me. He made me promise that I would never tell anyone of his impending (迫近的) death. I agreed, knowing it was the toughest secret to keep.
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。
At the time, I was just looking to buy a new truck, so I invited Dad to go to the local car dealer’s (经销商) shop with me.
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I walked to my father with the key to the brown truck.
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The Birthday Cake
Josie was a girl who loved to bake. She always helped her uncle at his bakery. Mostly she carried ingredients from the refrigerator to the large work table. Sometimes Uncle Dave let Josie stir (搅拌) the cake batter (面糊) with a wooden spoon.
Josie wanted to learn to bake a cake on her own. She asked if Uncle Dave would show her how Her mother’s birthday was only two days away. If Josie made a cake all by herself, it would be a wonderful surprise.
On Saturday morning, Josie arrived at the bakery just as it was closing. The bakery always closed early on the weekend so Uncle Dave could walk his dogs. “Ready, Josie?” Uncle Dave asked “Ready!” Josie answered.
First, Uncle Dave had Josie get all the ingredients (原料) and line them up on the work table. Then he showed her how to measure flour and sugar so that she had the exact right amount. She added these ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Next, Uncle Dave tapped an egg on the side of the bowl to crack it. “Be careful not to get any bits of shell in the bowl,” he said.
Josie tapped her egg very gently on the bowl. It didn’t crack. She tried again, and this time the shell came apart. She pulled the egg apart over the bowl and watched the yellow egg yolk drop into the flour.
Now it was time to stir. “This is fun!” said Josie.
When the batter was ready, Uncle Dave helped Josie pour it into the cake pan. He gave Josie oven mitts (烤箱手套) and showed her how to put the pan in the oven without burning her hands.
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。
While the cake baked, Josie and Uncle Dave wiped off the table and washed all the dishes.
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On her mother’s birthday, Josie put the cake before her mom secretly.
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