When Julia Harlin’s liver (肝) began failing several years ago as a result of a serious illness, her only option for survival was to get a liver transplant (移植).
Due to a long waiting list, Julia would need to wait months or years to find a person with a matching blood type, who’d like to donate his or her liver, as well as other medical characteristics—and as a senior citizen, time wasn’t exactly on her side.
“They basically told me, it would probably be at least five years, if not longer, before I would get the transplant,” Julia, 71, of Frederick, Maryland, recalled during an interview.
Despite having five children of her own, Julia said she did not want any of them to donate their liver to her “because then I would be worrying about them on top of worrying about myself”.
Without their mom’s knowledge, however, Julia’s daughter Eileen Harlin and her two other brothers and sister applied to donate their liver, which would reduce their mom’s wait time, although it would require a major surgery.
Eileen got the call that she was a match right before Mother’s Day. Deciding that Mother’s Day was the best time to tell her parents, Eileen began the conversation, “Hey, don’t get mad. For the past few months, I’ve been getting tested to see if I’m a match. And I am, and I want to do it.” The news was met with tears all around. Happy tears. How can you be mad when the daughter just said she was going to save her mom’s life? “It was emotional for sure,” Eileen shared.
The liver transplant was carried out successfully on Aug. 16, 2022, at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, according to a press release from the hospital. Unfortunately, Julia received additional bad news not long after the surgery. She was experiencing kidney (肾) failure due to the kidney damage.
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2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Julia’s doctors said that the condition required her to get a new kidney.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Eileen saved her mom’s life twice.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Bella had a quarrel with her mother that afternoon and she ran out of the house angrily. She couldn’t help weeping sorrowfully when she thought of the scolding from her mother. Having wandered aimlessly in the street for hours, she felt a little hungry and wished for something to eat. She stood beside a stand for a while, watching the middle aged seller busy doing his business. However, with no money in hand, she gave a sigh and had to leave.
The seller behind the stand noticed the young girl and asked, “Hey, girl, you want to have the noodles?” “Oh, yes, but I don’t have money on me,” she replied.
“That’s nothing. I’ll treat you today,” said the man. “Come in.”
The seller brought her a bowl of noodles, the smell so attractive. As she was eating, Bella cried silently.
“What is it?” asked the man kindly.
“Nothing. Actually, I was just touched by your kindness!” said Bella as she wiped her tears. “Even a stranger on the street will give me a bowl of noodles, while my mother drove me out of the house. She showed no care for me. She is so merciless compared to a stranger!” Hearing the words, the seller smiled, “Girl, do you really think so? I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you thanked me a lot. But it is your mother who has raised you since you were a baby. Can you number the times she cooked for you? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?”
Bella sat there, speechless and numb with shock; she remembered her mother’s familiar face and weathered hands. “Why didn’t I think of that? A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel grateful. Why haven’t I thanked my mum for what she has done for me?” On the way home, Bella made up her mind to make an apology to her mother for her rudeness.
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:
With Bella approaching the doorway, her feeling became mixed.
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Paragraph 2:A gentle touch on her hair called her mind back.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________There was a lot of love in my mother’s family — and a lot of arguments. Each Sunday, when I was young, the families would gather at my grandparents’ home.
These visits would begin with fun, laughter and plenty to eat. Maybe because there were so many of us, or maybe because we all spoke so enthusiastically, somehow an innocent conversation would soon turn from an opposing point of view into an angry shouting match. Sooner or later, one person or another would leave angrily, which told us all it was time to go home. The following Sunday, all the families would show up at our grandparents’ house again, as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened.
The arguments were more likely to occur between my mother and her sister, Mary. I never knew why they didn’t get along, but I do know that they loved each other very much. Mary was always there for my mom, and my mom was always there for her.
After my grandparents passed away, my mother and Aunt Mary met only once more. It was at my grandfather’s funeral. It was a sad occasion, and the sisters hugged, grieved and supported each other throughout the day. But as the service ended, some words were exchanged, and a short but bitter quarrel erupted between the two sisters.
Mother and Aunt Mary did not speak again.
Eventually, news came that Aunt Mary had passed away. By this time, no one knew where the rest of the family lived, so no condolences or words of sympathy were conveyed. I knew it bothered my mother very much because she had sincerely loved her sister.
Eight years later, Mom and I went to visit Slovakia, where my family had originated. One day, we happened to be at a restaurant. At separate tables, we heard two women talking about Mary’s sister Florence was coming to visit Slovakia. My mother’s name is Florence. A woman said it was a shame Florence and Mary were so estranged and it bothered Mary greatly.
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。
My mother and I jumped up and rushed to the women.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________My mother couldn’t wait to check where was her sister.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Saving the Carnations
Dawn broke. Regina aged 14 opened her sleepy eyes and looked out of the window at the foggy field below. “NO!” she cried, now fully awake. Buttermilk, the cow was in Mama’s carnation (康乃馨) garden.
“I must have forgotten to close the gate last night,” Regina thought as she pulled a sweatshirt over her head. Mama was planning to sell the carnations at the fair next week. But Buttermilk was eating the flowers. Regina hurried outside and grabbed the lead rope on the wall.
“Why can’t you stay in the field?” she called to Buttermilk as she headed across the yard to the carnation garden. Buttermilk still stood there chewing the tender flowers.
“When I grow up, I’ll be an artist and paint pictures all day,” annoyed Regina thought. “I’ll not own a cow. Too much trouble.” Regina was fond of painting since the day she had memory. She would like to not only help with family but see birds and flowers alive under her brush.
Just as Regina was about to throw the lead rope onto Buttermilk’s collar, the family dog Blue, rounded the corner of the house, barking loudly and furiously. Buttermilk couldn’t stand it and took off, tearing through the carnations. It finally ran through the open gate and into the field outside. “Thank goodness!” Regina said as she closed the gate and secured the lock. But, as she turned to look at the flower garden, most of the carnations were either eaten or trampled (踩踏).
Mama and Dad came out of the house. “What’s going on?” Mama asked. She looked sadly at her garden. “I forgot to close the gate,” Regina said. “I’m so sorry.” “I know you are.” Mama sighed and gave Regina a hug.
Regina’s heart was heavy as she went back into the house. Mama had prepared much for the fair but now half of her efforts were in vain. Regina decided to think of a way to make it up to her mother. The problem tasked Regina’s mind. Could she plant other flowers in a week? Not enough time. Could she make use of the carnations in pieces? Not enough magic. Regina found no way out.
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。
All of a sudden, a flower painting on the wall caught Regina’s eye.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A week later, the fair day, when her parents were loading the car, Regina brought her vivid paintings downstairs.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Amy loved drawing, but her grandmother Bonnie was opposed to it, who thought those strange things Amy drew were not going to help her in the future. One day, when they were eating dinner at the table, the doorbell rang.
Amy answered the door to see a well-dressed man standing at the door. “Oh my God, I know you! Mr Henderson?” Amy said gladly. “You are my favorite cartoonist (漫画家)! Wow! Hello, sir!” Then she led Mr Henderson into her house.
Mr Henderson was a famous New York-based cartoonist. He worked for an art magazine.
“I received a letter with some samples (样本) of your artwork, Amy. And I must say I was so impressed by your talent. In fact, I wrote you letters, but In ever got a reply,” Mr Henderson said to Amy. “If I hadn’t visited you today, you might have missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“You sent me letters?” Amy wondered aloud. Amy noticed Bonnie sat uneasily in her seat, and she realized why the letters had never reached her. Her grandmother kept them hidden from her. Mr Henderson continued, “We are accepting applications for our arts training program this summer. I would personally teach the students the art of cartoons and everything related. For that, you need to pass a drawing test. If everything goes well, you will be able to learn from me later and pursue your dream for art.”
Amy was excited about the news, but Bonnie refused and said angrily, “You are wasting our time, sir. Please leave.”
“But ma’am, this can really shape your granddaughter’s career,” Mr Henderson sad. “And if you’re concerned about the money, please don’t be. The committee will cover all the costs. A gifted childlike Amy can greatly benefit from the program.” Then Mr Henderson pulled out a file from his document case and gave it to Amy. “It’s a test assignment I know your grandmother is against it and things are tough, but I hope you’ll be able to do it,” he added as he left the house.
Amy couldn’t contain her excitement after Mr Henderson’s visit.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Amy’s strong love for drawing deeply touched Bonnie.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________My Amazing Brother
Mark was the most popular boy in his class. He had top grades, was a star athlete and was everyone's friend. He was so perfect. He also happened to be my little brother.
My brother and I had always been close, yet I had long felt inferior(自惭形秽) to him. He just seemed to have everything, I, on the other hand, was shy with relatively few close friends, I was sure 95 percent of the class had no idea I even existed,
High school started. Mark and I were at the same school; he was a freshman, and I was a senior, We got closer than ever that year, I didn't know whether it was the rides to school when we sang along to the songs on the radio, or the fact that we were both on the swim team,
I helped him with his math problems, and he read my papers and made sure that they were A+ quality, We listened to CDs every night and danced on the floor. We joked about our parents. We even hung out with each other at the movies.
One night, my brother and I were discussing the upcoming semi-formal dance, Mark, of course, would attend it, I hadn't even planned on going. I never had a friend for anything and I accepted that nothing was likely to change that. When Mark asked who I wanted to go with, I was shocked.
"What do you mean you're not going? You have to go, It's your senior year!" Mark didn't understand why I wasn't going.
"Well, there's not one person who would want to go with me, " I told him, using the reasoning I'd repeated to myself over and over.
"You're joking, Care.There isn't anyone in the whole school that would turn you down. ""How do you know?" I asked, wondering where my brother got such silly ideas.
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"Because you're the coolest girl in the world, " Mark answered.
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The rest of the year went by in excitement.
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7 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
My dad was always building and repairing things. When he was six, he sawed (锯) the legs of the dining-room table in half so he could sit at it more comfortably. By the time he was ten, he’d formed a bicycle from useless parts. He did the same in his 20s with a used car. Building taught him the value of solving a problem with his own hands.
I was almost seven when one day Dad and I walked by a toy store window. There in the corner was the most unusual doll house I’d ever seen. Little egg-shaped windows were cut into it, with tiny balconies.
“Oh, Daddy,” I said, “isn’t it beautiful? Can you buy it for me as a birthday gift?”
My father looked at the price — $100 — too much in those days. “I think we can’t afford this house,” he joked. I was quite disappointed at the reply and angry. “But I will build one for you,” Dad then added.
Though I had known about Dad’s building skills, I cast a doubtful eye on him and fell into complete silence.
Days later, after the doll house was almost forgotten, Dad, despite all the unfinished projects at home, started making one for me. Night after night, Dad would come home from work very tired, yet he’d always find time to work on the doll house. He cut, sawed, painted, and did all that was necessary. In those days, the small yard was occupied by various instruments that Dad needed and things that Dad produced for later use. Our ears had got used to all the noise. Every morning, I was greeted by something new that Dad had made the previous night. I was so excited. Dad even added a tiny path to the front door.
The doll house was the greatest gift a child could ask for and it kept me company for over ten years.
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 getting ready for college in another city, I accidentally dropped it on the ground.
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On Christmas day, entering my room, I was truly amazed by what I saw.
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8 . 阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
I went to sleep with my mouth open and I woke up with a sore throat. The medicine I took was of no use and my mom was forcing me to go to the doctor because she was worried that it would make me ill. When I went to brush my teeth, there was no toothpaste left and as I was trying to squeeze anything left in the tube, the toothpaste splattered（酒） all over my face and the uniform I had been looking forward to wearing all week long. I washed my hair last night thinking I’d have time to straighten it in the morning or even give it a nice brush, but because of the toothpaste incident I didn’t have enough time to do anything to it at all. Now my hair was frizzy and I was in sweatpants.
On my way to school, there was an accident holding up traffic on the one-way only street to my high school. That day was my first day of high school, and also my birthday. You might be wondering: Wait... It’s really your birthday? Then how come you didn’t mention your parents wishing you a happy birthday that morning? All are very good questions. I didn’t mention it because it never happened. My own parents forgot my birthday.
Maybe this day would get better. At least that’s what I told myself to prevent the pulling of my own hair out. On my way to the classroom, I tripped up on the stairs and hurt my knee. I saw some students pull their phones out to capture the awkward moment. Luckily for me, I thought they were too late. Shortly after the first bell rang, the morning announcements played and on came the birthday section. What a feeling of relief!! wouldn’t be forgotten after. But I was wrong.
Not even the school, who quite literally has my birthday on file, remembered my birthday.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150词左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答。
This day continued to get worse.
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When I finally went home, I found my parents’ car was in the driveway.
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9 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
Tess, an eight-year-old little girl, went to her bedroom and pulled a glass money box from its hiding place. She poured change out on the floor and counted it. The total had to be exactly perfect. Carefully placing the coins back in the box, she slipped out the back door and made her way to Rexall’s Drug Store which was six blocks away.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist (药剂师) to give her some attention but he was too busy at that moment. Tess stamped her feet to make a noise. No response. She cleared her throat. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her box and hit the glass counter hard with it. And she did it!
“What do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen for ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
“Well, I want to talk to you about my little brother,” Tess answered. “He’s really, really sick. .. and I want to buy a miracle (奇迹). His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?” “We don’t sell miracles here. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” the pharmacist said and softened a little. “Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If this isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs,” Tess said.
The pharmacist’s brother was a well-dressed man. He bent down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?” “I don’t know,” Tess replied with tears welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs neurosurgery (神经外科手术). But Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.” “How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered in a quiet voice.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式作答。
“Well, I may have the miracle you need and can pay for,” smiled the man.
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Not long after, Andrew was home and his health began to improve day by day.
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Adam was kind and considerate, and always deeply cherished his wife Zoe. He knew how much she liked to do up her long waterfall-like hair and trim her long and delicate fingernails. He knew she loved strawberries in supermarkets. Meanwhile, Zoe married him without complaint; after all, she loved his diligence, honesty, consideration and gentle quality. In order to improve their lives, the couple joined the ranks of migrant workers and moved into the city.
The New Year flavor of the city was still alive, with spring wind blowing and frequent cold wave appearing, which blocked the smell of spring flowers. The city of the new century was abundant in prosperity and vitality, but it did not belong to them. Adam set up a bed and a mini coal stove in a building under construction where he worked as their temporary home; in a plot of land rented in front of a supermarket, Zoe occupied herself steadily by running a barbecue on a cart (推车).
Every day, she would push her cart out from her humble home, standing in the chilly wind as the morning mist rose. After the supermarket closed, she dragged herself back home, exhausted from her daily routine, but in the faith of love, she lived through each day with hope.
Most days, Adam got off work earlier than her, so he would pick her up at the supermarket and give her a hand. The cart demonstrated their love at that time. The happy and intimate couple walked home pushing the cart, with the street lights shining on the road. It was a beautiful scene that no one appreciated.
One day, when Adam got off work later than usual, he found Zoe sleeping soundly. She was so tired that when she rolled over, she did not even feel her hands sticking out of bed. In grief, he gently took her cold, calloused (长满老茧的), swollen, and red hands full of frostbite (冻疮), tears running down his cheeks.
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。
That night, Adam turned over repeatedly, unable to sleep.
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The next day after work, Adam purposely ran to a nearby shopping mall.
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