A pleasant surprise
For a long time, I had been looking for a piano of my own to practise on. There was a piano shop on the street along which I walked every day to school. Whenever I passed the shop, I would stop, looking at the beautiful piano standing in the comer of the shop window. How I had been dreaming, day and night to possess a piano like that!
Unfortunately, my father was just a clerk. Times were tough during the Depression, and there were five mouths to feed, besides buying coal and wood for the stove. In order to save money, even on cold winter days, my father would walk the seven miles every day to get to work. No he could never afford to buy me an expensive piano. Though he knew I wanted to play that piano so much» buying it was an extravagance (奢侈品) well beyond our family’s income.
One day after school, I went as usual to the shop window to look at the piano. However, to my surprise and disappointment, the piano had gone. I should not have been surprised as others had the right to buy it, if they could afford to. Tears filled my eyes when I thought of not being able to sec that piano any more.
Disappointed, helpless and sad, I wandered aimlessly up and down the street. After about an hour. I returned home. I had just entered into our house, when I heard my mother calling me. I brushed away my tears and followed the sound of her voice into the dining-room.
Paragraph 1:I could not believe my eyes.
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As soon as my father appeared, I hugged him tightly.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________As we get older there are certain gifts standing out in our memories for a variety of reasons.
One gift I was given and treasured most was a doll named Patsy. She wasn’t originally mine but was my younger sister’s Christmas gift, but on holding Patsy I immediately fell in love with her and couldn’t bear to part with het. Luckily, my sister was quite happy to exchange dolls. From then on Patsy was my baby and I continued to love her dearly and would have died for her.
Another gift I offered my Mom has been shining in my mind. On a Saturday, I was on my way to the local cinema when I happened to glimpse(一瞥) at the window of the gift shop at the corner of our street. There were lovely gloves, pretty flowered handkerchiefs, and rose patterned teacups and saucers, all in pretty boxes. Seeing all these lovely gifts reminded me that it would soon be Mother’s Day and my mother’s birthday. Wouldn’t it be nice, I thought, if I could give my mother something really special, something I’d bought myself? So I stepped inside the shop and admired a dressing table set, which was a green cut glass with ornamental tray(装饰托盘) and several matching pieces. I was sure my mother would love it.
The lady must have seen my disappointment when she told me the price. But she had a suggestion which immediately lifted my spirits. She pulled out a large notebook and wrote my name in it and the gift I wanted to buy, and in return I paid her a penny from my pocket money. It meant no sweets that day but I didn’t care. At the age of nine, I’d made my very first lay-by(分期付款)…and felt like a grown up. From then on, every Saturday I dropped in at the shop on schedule and paid a penny, which the lady dutifully recorded in her notebook.
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 day before Mother’s Day I paid the last two pence.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Carter enjoyed riding the school bus home. I gave him some time torelaxafter a hectic(紧张忙碌的)day of fifth grade. Sometimes, he sat with his youngerbrother, Jackson, but Jackson was sick at home today.
The bus stopped and the tallest boy in his class, Dexter Fisher, stepped off followed by his younger brother, Billy.As the bus pulled away, Carter looked back over his shoulder to watch the boys. Dexter was yelling and waving his hands at his little brother. Billy said something Carter could no hear. Dexter gave his younger brother a hard shove (猛推)andknockedhim to the ground.
Carter leaned toward the window to get a better view. Billy was still on the ground and Dexter was walking away. Carter watched as Billy wiped at his eyes. The poor kid wascrying.
Carter turned in his seat. Thesightof Billy on the ground crying was burned into his memory He tried to think of something else.
He thought of the modelcarhe was working on at home, a 1967 Corvette. He started building it over a week ago and just finished putting it together last night. Tonight, as soon as he finished his homework, he could start painting the car. That was his favorite part. He already had the perfectcolorof blue picked out.
He hurried off the bus, ran through his yard, and breezed(轻盈而自信地走)through thekitchenwith a quick hello to his mom. He ran up the stairs two at a time and rushed into his room.
"Surprise!" his brother Jackson said, throwing his arms into the air.
"What are you doing in my room? I thought you were sick!"
"I feel better!"
"No! I'm no bleeding." Billy wiped at his face "It's probably justpaint. Look! Look what I did!" He pointed at the desk in thecornerof Carter's room.
注意:1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2.应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4.续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Carter looked down at his desk in horror.
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Paragraph 2:
Carter looked at his brother, an enormous smile stretching across Jackson's face.
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Several years ago, I traveled by train to Stockholm. I was visiting two friends who were to meet me at the train station. I stood there waiting for my first friend to arrive and in the midst of all the hurrying passengers that Friday afternoon, I heard a weak voice; it sounded like a question. I turned and saw a young man standing with a white cane ( 拐 杖 ) , his suitcase by his feet. I approached and asked,“Do you need help?”“Yes,”he replied, nodding his head, appearing relieved.
He had been trying for some time, unsuccessfully, to get someone’s attention. He had missed his train home. His cell phone battery was dead, and he needed to call his mother to tell her of the circumstances.
This young man named Mustafa, I found out, had just completed his first week at a school for the blind. He went to school on Mondays and returned home on Fridays. Of course I helped him call his mother. I did not understand what he spoke with her on my cell phone, but I could tell the language was Swedish. Of course the next problem was finding the right train home and telling his mother the new arrival time. Yet in this disordered train station, I did not want to miss connecting with my friend Bogdan who was on his way to the spot where we were standing.
Before I could dial the number to call Bogdan, he was suddenly already there. I described the problem and Bogdan took the young man’s arm and we were off on our adventure to help get Mustafa home. While sorting out where his home was, what train, and what time, my second friend Marcello called and wondered where we were. Soon he joined us. It happened that Marcello speaks 12 languages.
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。
Marcello’s gift in language was a great advantage.
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Now we were leading Mustafa to his train.
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Eggs,bacon,bagels,and croissants(羊角面包），her favourite meal of the day sat right in front of her telling her to have more, probably just this one day. Her hand reached out for the last croissant;"STOP"said her mind,"PLEASE"begged the nineteen-year-old heart. Annie could feel the tyres around her waist, weighing her down, emotionally and physically. She pulled her hand back,eyeing the inviting croissant, which would have been hers, if only she had not decided to follow her dream, a dream which seemed beyond her reach.
But there she was, she wanted it, and wanted it badly,a fantasy of a teenager to fit into the beautiful peacock green bikini(比基尼）.A trip had been planned,to the sunny beaches,by a group of friends,and the trip included her. She used to sit depressed listening to her slim friends discuss about the kind of clothes they purchased, and how short each of their skirts were,and how beautiful they looked. She wanted to see their expression change from surprise to admiration,so she decided go on diet and take fitness courses.
Weeks passed,and her patience started to die away. The fat was stubborn and refused to melt fast,but the time went fast. No matter how less she ate,she still looked awfully plump(胖的）， which annoyed her and she was ready to call it quits. She sat on her bed and wept an entire evening: ignoring her dinner.Her tears dried up,and she lay down on her bed staring at the ceiling,letting random thoughts pass through her mind. Then she heard two women talking outside her window. She heard one woman saying:"My child is special,and every child is god's gift. It doesn't matter what's on the outside, inner self is what matters."
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。
Curious,Annie got up and looked out of her window.
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Annie turned her eyes away from the scene and saw her own figure in the mirror.
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There were once two rabbits, Wanda the Wise and Frederick the Foolish, who were walking through a field. They were good friends and enjoyed their wander together.
On this walk, they came upon two carrots. One of the carrots had large leaves coming out of the top and the other looked much smaller from the surface. Frederick was excited and ran up to the carrot with the larger leaves. “I’ll have this one.” he proudly exclaimed and proceeded to pulling it out from the ground. Wanda shrugged her shoulders and pulled out the other carrot, which turned out to be much bigger. Frederick was surprised and asked how this could possibly be. Wanda looked at her friend and replied, “You can’t always judge a carrot by its leaves.”
They kept on walking and came across another pair of carrots, again with different sized leaves. This time Frederick allowed his friend the first pick. Wanda hopped to each carrot, inspected (检查) and sniffed them carefully and, to Frederick’s surprise, chose the carrot with the larger leaves.
As they each pulled their carrots out from the ground, Frederick was confused to see that his carrot was still smaller than Wanda’s.
“You said that carrots with larger leaves are not always larger. I thought carrots with small leaves meant larger ones.” he said.
“No,” replied Wanda, “I said don’t judge a carrot by its leaves. It’s also important to remember to think before you choose.”
Frederick nodded and they ate their carrots before continuing their stroll.
For a third time, they found two carrots, again with different sized leaves. Frederick looked confused and didn’t know what to do. Wanda indicated that he could choose which carrot to eat.
注意：
1. 续写词数为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Frederick, the poor foolish rabbit, didn’t really know what to do.
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Wanda smiled warmly, hopped over to the bigger carrot and pulled it out to his friend.
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Mama and I spend mornings cleaning up the dirt that blows into our house. Mama says all the dust is due to the drought（干旱）. The dirt is everywhere. It covers our clothes. We have to wash the dishes before each meal. We rarely drive the truck because Papa fears the dust from the road will ruin the motor. We rarely drive the truck because Papa fears the dust from the road will ruin the motor. So it became our amusement park, where we flashed the lights and sounded the horn（喇叭）, pretending to be real drivers.
When my sister, Faye, and I walk to school, we wear scarfs over our mouths so we don't breathe in the dirt. On days when the air is so bad that they close the school, we stay home and help Mama put wet sheets over the windows. But the dirt always finds a way in.
Last Sunday, there was no dirt in the air, only bright spring sunshine and a clear blue sky. After church, Papa headed out to the field to check on the cattle while Mama started dinner. Faye and I played in the yard. The temperature suddenly dropped-it felt good. The heat had been building since dawn.
Then Mama shouted from the house. "Iris, you and Faye get inside, real quick now!" I looked to the west and saw a huge black cloud of dust, like thick smoke from a railway engine's stack（排气管）. All the birds flew away. "Faye, go with Mama!" I shouted. "I'll warn Papa."
Faye ran toward the house. The storm hit so fast I barely saw her climb the steps. Fine sand beat against my face and in an instant the day turned into night. I tripped over our bicycles left carelessly in the yard. I screamed for Papa, hoping my voice would lead him back.
The dirt and sand stung my skin like a thousand bees. I needed to get to shelter. Covering my face with one hand, I felt my way towards the truck and opened the door. Dirt flew in with me as I pulled the door closed.
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。
Papa was still out there and I needed to help him find the way to the truck.
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Suddenly, Papa s face appeared at the window.
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Violet sat on the gym floor, waiting for her turn to do somersaults (翻筋斗). She looked at her little sister angrily, Tilly, across the room. This was Tilly’s first week at gymnastics. Violet had done gymnastics for the past two years. Why couldn’t Tilly find her own thing to do? It was the same at home. Tilly followed Violet everywhere.
“Violet, you’re up!” called Violet’s instructor, Miss Taylor. Violet came over and pushed off with her legs and straightened her arms. She did one, two, three somersaults. Miss Taylor clapped. “Perfect!”
Violet noticed that Tilly had stepped away from the younger group to watch Violet’s somersaults. “Tilly!” called Tilly’s instructor, Miss Brooke, from across the room. “Your turn to do somersaults.” Tilly walked nervously. She bent down to start a somersault. When she rolled, she fell heavily on the blanket. Kids laughed in surprise at the noise.
Tilly stood uncomfortably and then ran toward the restroom. She was gone from the gym, as Violet had wanted. But it didn’t feel right. After telling Miss Taylor where she was going, Violet hurried to the restroom. She found Tilly crying hard. Violet put an arm around her sister. Tilly cried. “I don’t want to do gymnastics anymore.” This was Violet’s chance. If she said nothing to her sister, Tilly might quit gymnastics forever.
注意：1. 续写词数应为 100 左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
But Violet knew how excited Tilly had been about joining in gymnastics.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Seeing a smile on Tilly’s face, Violet said, “What about giving it another try?”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Sometimes, good intentions alone are not enough when your attempt to be kind to someone leaves you both feeling worse than before.
In a certain store where they sell puddings（布丁）,a number of these delicious things are laid out in a row. Here you may select the one which is most to your taste, and you are even allowed to taste them before coming to a decision.
I have often wondered whether some people having no intention of making a purchase would take advantage of this privilege. One day I asked a salesgirl the question, and I learned it was indeed the case.
"Now there's one old man," she told me. "He comes here almost every week and tastes each one of the puddings, though he never buys anything. I remember him from last year. Well, let him come if he wants it, and he is welcome to it. And what's more, I hope there are a lot more stores where he can go and get his share. He looks as if he needs it all right, and I suppose they can afford it."
She was still speaking when an elderly man walked up to the counter and began looking closely at the row of puddings with great interest.
"Why, that's the very man I've been telling you about," whispered the salesgirl, and then turned to him, "Would you like to taste them, sir? Here's a spoon for you to use."
The elderly gentleman, who was poor but neatly dressed, accepted the spoon and began to taste one after another of the puddings. "This is quite good. This is not bad either, but a little too heavy.”
Among the crowd of happy, rich-looking shoppers, the little black figure of the old man seemed pitiful and out of place, and in a burst of kindness, I went up to him and said, "Pardon me, sir, will you do me a favor? Let me purchase you one of these puddings. It would give me such pleasure."
注意：
1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2.至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4.续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
The old man jumped back as if he had been bitten， and the blood rushed to his face.
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Paragraph 2:
The salesgirl took down the pudding from its stand and started to parcel it up（打包）.
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Once there was a little girl Lily who was very friendly and popular in her class. She was friends with everyone in her class. There was no one in class who did not like her. She was very kind and would always be busy with her friends. She felt very happy that she had so many friends at school and in her neighborhood.
On Friendship Day, her class organized an event, in which everyone had to make three presents and give them to their best friends. Lily was really looking forward to the coming Friendship Day as she was expecting gifts from her friends. However, when all the presents were shared among her classmates, she was the only one who hadn’t received any presents. She felt terrible and cried a lot. She wondered how that was possible. She had made so much effort to be friends with everyone but in the end no one thought of her as one of their best friends.
Everyone came and tried to comfort her for a while but each one only stayed for a short time before leaving. This was exactly what Lily had done so many times to others.
On that day when she got home, her mother saw her sad face. And then her mother asked her the reason for her sadness. “Where can I find true friends?” Lily asked. Her mother was surprised at her question. Then she asked Lily what had happened in school. Her mother comfort her and said, “You cannot buy friends with a smile or a few good words. If you really want true friends, you will have to give them real time and love. For a true friend you must always be available，in good times and bad.”
Lily replied, “But I want to be friends with everyone!”
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:
Her mother shook her head.
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Paragraph 2:
Lily decided to change her ways and thought how she could make true friends.
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