The Toy Tree
It was a bare tree with thin branches which looked like they might snap (折断) at any moment, but it was the only tree in the estate gardens. In spring, the tree cheered up the grey concrete with its blossom. And, in summer, its shade comforted the restless heat.
Gabe loved the tree. He and his friends played by it all the time. The tree’s blessing for the community, but not for Mr. Snider, the caretaker, who hated the tree. When he had to mow (割) the grass around it or sweep its blossoms or fallen leaves from the path, he would grumble (咕哝), “It’s in my way.” or “Who has to clean up all this mess? Me, that’s who!”
Sometimes he threatened to cut it down. One morning before the coming New Year, Gabe spotted him walked towards the tree with a chainsaw (电锯). He shouted, “Mum! What’s Mr. Snider doing?” Mum put down her knitting needles — she was knitting everyone scarves and came over to the window. Gabe grabbed her hand and ran down two flights of stairs to the garden. Soon they were standing between Mr. Snider and the tree.
“Out of my way,” said the caretaker. “Time for this eyesore (眼中钉) to go.”
“This eyesore is of great public interest.” Mum tried to sound important.
“And we love this tree,” begged Gabe.
“Not a good enough reason.” Mr. Snider was getting his chainsaw ready.
Gabe desperately tried to think of more reasons to keep the tree, then he remembered the toy tree he’d seen in town. It had colourful gift tags (礼品签) on it and written on every tag was the name of a toy a child had wished for. Mum had explained to him that if someone took a tag and bought the gift on it, the charity would send it to a child who might not get New Year presents.
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。
Gabe said, “It is going to be a toy tree.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________By the weekend, the charity tags had arrived.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
