1 . It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. My husband was taking care of our baby girl so that my six-year-old son and I could do some yard work, just the two of us. It was sure to be
However, my son went about things in his own way. He pulled the
“If you would do as told, we’d be done earlier and
My fire soon faded, replaced by the
A.disturbing | B.relaxing | C.urgent | D.tough |
A.sensitive | B.addicted | C.discouraged | D.resistant |
A.whether | B.who | C.how | D.why |
A.roots | B.depths | C.tops | D.dots |
A.amazing | B.boring | C.confusing | D.annoying |
A.redo | B.recycle | C.identify | D.ignore |
A.promised | B.launched | C.repeated | D.clarified |
A.nervous | B.light | C.influential | D.harmonious |
A.exceptional | B.shared | C.internal | D.crucial |
A.indirectly | B.separately | C.differently | D.absolutely |
A.satisfying | B.humbling | C.depressing | D.conflicting |
A.reminder | B.warning | C.behavior | D.review |
A.raise | B.combine | C.teach | D.balance |
A.discipline | B.cooperation | C.efficiency | D.quality |
A.run out of | B.set limits to | C.made up for | D.weighed on |
Grandma tried to straighten out her fingers.“You know, Ann, I think I am done knitting.” she said.“My fingers just won’t do what I tell them any more.”
I looked at her hands.When I was little, she had taught me how to sew dresses for my dolls and how to embroider (刺绣) the faces of my dolls on the dresses.
But now she can hardly bend her fingers.The doctor said she should keep her hands warm.I made her cups of tea to hold and moved her chair closer to the fire.But it didn’t work.
I wasn’t used to seeing her hands so still.When I came downstairs, her quiet hands made even her voice stay still.I missed her voice more than ever.
I tried to help her find her voice.“Grandma, tell me about when you were a little girl,” I begged, knowing she loved to tell stories.“Tell me about Peti and Zoe.” Peti and Zoe were her brother and sister.“That was so long ago, Ann,” whispered Grandma.“I can barely remember.” But I still remembered her story about Peti cutting off Zoe’s two beautiful long braids (辫子) and then hiding them in the closet.Were those words still moving silently in her head?
Mom was sorting through our clothes for spring.“Ann, take these out to the trash,” Mom said.“There’s no need to keep worn-out clothes.”
I looked sadly at the pile of sweaters and then picked it up.
“Wait,” Grandma said as I walked by her and put the pile downstairs.“Let me see those.”
“Ann, wind the yarn (纱线) of the old sweater into a ball, like this.Then you can use the yarn to knit something new.” Grandma wrapped yarn around and around her fingers, first in one direction and then the other to keep the ball round.
After dinner Grandma fell asleep in her chair.
Mom came downstairs with an old pair of gloves with small holes to add to the pile of sweaters.
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, the pair of old gloves gave me an idea.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“Your family,” I said, handing the gloves with the faces of Peti and Zoe to Grandma.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Preparing for the upcoming Christmas season was truly annoying. Schedules to meet and deadlines to attend were pounding at the doorstep. The stores were jam-packed with people. The freeways, highways, main roads, and back roads seemed to fill as quickly as the opening of Disneyland’s theme park.
This was supposedly the season of giving and loving. Something needed to change — but what?
Suddenly, a request from the local radio station playing in the background caught my attention. “This year, they’re forecasting a record for cold temperatures. The local homeless shelter is in desperate need of clothing — hats, scarves, and gloves especially. A three-day window has been set up to receive donations into the late hours of the night. ”
Something pulled at my heartstrings that very moment — a tinge of a feeling almost forgotten. This is the answer! I immediately thought. Then, as if flying on wings, I packed up my three-year-old son and headed out to the local discount store.
The crowds in the store didn’t change my determination. Four sets of hats, gloves, and scarves were found within a matter of minutes and purchased.
Back in the car, the same radio station was playing holiday music, but this time it seemed to capture my senses. My attention was again brought to the present as my patient three-year-old son finally asked where we were going. I explained that certain people needed warm gloves, hats, and scarves. They didn’t live in a house of their own and needed us to help. His face held a look of puzzlement. How does one explain such a thing to a three-year-old?
My son carefully took his very first dollar bill from his pocket. It had been given to him a few days earlier — a possession so precious that if anyone even looked at it, he immediately retreated out of sight with the dollar in hand. It had become his priceless treasure.
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。
An hour later, we reached the entrance to the drop-off center.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________With a wish of “Merry Christmas,” I turned to go back to the car.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4 . My mom enjoyed inviting people for Thanksgiving. After my family moved far away from all our
I missed our big family gatherings before moving here, but Mom had a(n)
Our first guests arrived: three foreign exchange students. Mom’s original plan was to
After dinner, Mom suggested sharing something we were thankful for—another annual
Suddenly something
A.colleagues | B.relatives | C.neighbours | D.strangers |
A.close | B.random | C.specific | D.favorite |
A.generous | B.energetic | C.curious | D.powerful |
A.applicants | B.beggars | C.population | D.volunteers |
A.shelter | B.award | C.repay | D.host |
A.set out | B.took over | C.broke down | D.showed up |
A.burst | B.dropped | C.pulled | D.fell |
A.recovered | B.declined | C.rose | D.stretched |
A.exploded | B.suffered | C.slid | D.withdrew |
A.impressive | B.unlucky | C.unusual | D.awesome |
A.contest | B.opportunity | C.anticipation | D.tradition |
A.grateful | B.sympathetic | C.familiar | D.addicted |
A.cost | B.worked | C.remained | D.meant |
A.inspired | B.convinced | C.struck | D.drilled |
A.welfare | B.community | C.friendship | D.future |
5 . On New Year’s Day, my 13-year-old son Mike broke his leg while skiing. Honestly speaking, it was no more than another
At dinner on a Tuesday, it came to me. In the coming springtime, I announced, we would have a family roller disco party in the house. My children looked up, their
Later that day, my youngest son wore his roller skates and
A.ache | B.challenge | C.ceremony | D.adventure |
A.hoped | B.discovered | C.explored | D.proved |
A.mood | B.benefit | C.spirits | D.abilities |
A.part with | B.come up with | C.put up with | D.stick to |
A.eyes | B.heads | C.faces | D.mouths |
A.moved | B.inspired | C.surprised | D.impressed |
A.details | B.benefits | C.choices | D.examples |
A.stressed | B.shared | C.celebrated | D.updated |
A.after | B.when | C.until | D.before |
A.eventually | B.frequently | C.typically | D.immediately |
A.Therefore | B.Besides | C.Still | D.Despite |
A.expectation | B.tension | C.memory | D.change |
A.searching | B.preparing | C.accounting | D.apologizing |
A.beginning | B.difference | C.point | D.answer |
A.shortest | B.happiest | C.simplest | D.toughest |
6 . At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, among mountain songs and ethnic costumes and special ceremonies, I am noticeable despite my modern dress, as my green “VOLUNTEER” nametag brands me as a perfect target for curious tourists. I have volunteered to learn about global customs; my knowledge of my native culture is limited. I had boxed up my past before moving to America eight years ago, when a new continent considered my old self foreign.
Here on the National Mall, I am the only means of communication between the Americans and the artisan (工匠), who were invited from China to display their talents. They see my awkward hand gestures as I test my mother tongue, speaking Mandarin (普通话) and putting it into English for visitors.
The artisans possess exceptional skills. He Guoyao can read thousands of pictographic characters (象形文字) and bears the duty of passing on Dongba culture. Cheng Zhirong creates fantastic animal figures with a spoon and melted sugar in minutes. Standing among them, I wonder about the contributions a 16-year-old girl can make.
“Ooh, it’s so pretty!” A young girl sticks her nose close to a sugar dragon. Zhirong, the candy maker, signals to me, and I explain to the girl that the dragon is pure sugar. “Mommy, it’s candy!” she excitedly says. “Beautiful...” The crowd breathes in awe. One woman taps me on the shoulder, saying, “Please, tell her that her work is surreal... a gift from another world.”
As Zhirong takes my hand and calls me “little sister”, I find my place in this group of extraordinary people who crossed oceans to build a bridge between different ethnicities and nationalities through sugar sculptures and painted words. I, too, am a bearer of traditions.
I smile at Guoyao, as he paints in pictographic characters the English words I have taught him, “You’re welcome.” I come to know that culture is not shelved behind glass cases in museums. It is in the life that I once thought backward and dull — the Chinese way of life that is a part of me.
1. Why does the author attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival?A.To learn about global traditions. |
B.To improve her interpersonal skills. |
C.To interview some talented artisans. |
D.To appreciate the wonderful artworks. |
A.A visitor. | B.A translator. | C.A tour guide. | D.A security guard. |
A.In doubt. | B.In silence. | C.In satisfaction. | D.In amazement. |
A.Chinese culture has been part of her own identity. |
B.Culture should be presented in different forms. |
C.Culture can only be kept alive through exchanges. |
D.Chinese culture has helped her better adapt to her new life. |
My dad was a cleaner in my school. When I was 12, I decided to study hard to have a life different from his.
One day when Dad asked me to play basketball with him, I just replied, “I’m busy. I want to study well so that I can become a rich man. I don’t want to be a cleaner like you, Dad!” He was shocked (震惊的), but I didn’t care and continued studying hard. Finally, I graduated from high school with honors, and decided it was time to break free from my dad and follow my dreams.
“Dad, I got a scholarship to a law school in California,” I told him. “I’ll leave in 3 days.” My dad was surprised but proud of me. As I left for the airport 3 days later, he said, “Son, wherever you go, welcome back home.” I ignored his words and flew to California.
After I graduated, I found a great job there. Later, I was made manager and earned much money. I no longer remembered my father was a cleaner. I had forgotten my dad, who was still cleaning my school. I seldom answered his calls or wrote back to him. I was busy; I still had a lot more to achieve.
With time, the more success I tasted, somehow, the lonelier I became. I felt especially lonely on my 31st birthday. I kept checking my phone, hoping someone wished me a happy birthday. But there wasn’t a single call or message. Later that evening when I returned home from my office, something in my mailbox drew my attention.
“A letter?” I whispered and saw it was from my father. He never forgot to mail me a letter on my each birthday. However, I never took the trouble to read it. “How did I ignore him?” I thought. I brought the letter home and took out his earlier letters. And I opened one. It read, “Wherever you are, I love you to the last drop of my blood. I wish you a happy life.”
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。
I picked up another letter and read it.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Finally, I arrived at my dad’s house and saw him sitting alone in the yard.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8 . A cheerleader amazed everyone at the Nebraska State High School Cheer & Dance Championship (锦标赛).
Just two weeks before the competition, something unexpected happened. Morrill High School cheer coach (教练) April Ott
And that was exactly
“It was the last competition in my high school life. It was certainly out of my comfort zone,” said Katrina. “That was not something I would
Katrina’s story
As for her advice to others, Katrina smiled, “Never back off. You’re
A.acquired | B.reminded | C.broke | D.exchanged |
A.hurried up | B.gave up | C.broke up | D.shot up |
A.conditions | B.potentials | C.resources | D.ideas |
A.equally | B.informally | C.originally | D.alone |
A.where | B.why | C.what | D.when |
A.funniest | B.loudest | C.youngest | D.strictest |
A.dancing | B.advancing | C.watching | D.struggling |
A.viewed | B.directed | C.judged | D.encouraged |
A.adventure | B.management | C.operation | D.performance |
A.mainly | B.normally | C.finally | D.immediately |
A.usual | B.passive | C.wrong | D.low |
A.inspired | B.attracted | C.comforted | D.discouraged |
A.kept up with | B.broke away from | C.stood up for | D.took advantage of |
A.efforts | B.challenges | C.desires | D.opportunities |
A.stronger | B.luckier | C.smarter | D.kinder |
The New York Marathon (马拉松) is my goal for this year. I know I am never going to win a race but now, when I get anything negative, I will think of the kind gentleman who really believed, “You very good… you very fast.”
At the time, I was living in the Bay Area, and my mother had come to visit for a few days. On the last day of her stay, I was preparing to go out for a run. I picked up a T-shirt I just bought the other day from a Chinese clothing shop — it had some Chinese characters on the front, and a scene of Honolulu Chinatown on the back. I didn’t speak Chinese, but somehow this special T-shirt was quite soft and good for exercise.Working in a very negative environment, I found morning runs very beneficial — body tired but mind awake.
And I had always met an elderly Chinese gentleman walking on the opposite side of the trail (道路) when I was running on other mornings. I had always said, “Good morning,” and he had always smiled warmly and nodded his head slightly.
As I was going out the door, my mother suddenly said, “I don’t think running is so hot — that famous runner died.” I started to recount what I had read about Jim Fixx, and how running had probably been the contributing factor to his living far longer than most of the other members of his family, but I knew there was absolutely no point.
As I started running on my favorite trail, I found I couldn’t shake my mother’s statement. I was so discouraged that I could hardly run. I began thinking, “Why do I run at all? Serious runners probably think I look silly! I might have a heart attack on the trail — my dad had a fatal (致命的) heart attack at 50 years old, and he was seemingly in better shape than I am.”
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。
My mother’s statement remained in my mind like a giant blanket.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Upon hearing the man’s words, I felt more unexplained strength in my step.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Lots of times, I’ve looked at that tree on the sandbank across the estuary (渡口). One day, I’m sitting on the beach with my friend Duncan. The tide is in, it’s all the way across to the sandbank. "I could swim to that tree,” I say.
“Go on, then,” says Duncan. I put down my towel and walk to the edge. I surge into the water with three heaves of butterfly stroke (蝶泳), just to feel how strong I am in the water and how the sun feels on my back as I fling out of the sea like a fish.
One, two, three, I’m breathing steadily and my arms are lifting in rhythm (有节奏地). Then I remember that story in the paper last week. A man jumped into the water and grabbed a shark by its tail. How could I forget that shark? I’m sprinting (冲刺) through the water, which is suddenly so immense (无边无际的), so deep. Soon my arms and legs feel heavy. It’s that feeling I get at the end of a race when I’ve given it everything.
I’ve got to pace myself, I think. The tree is far off ahead somewhere. When I turn and look back at Duncan, he seems so far away. I must be nearly halfway, I think. I tread water for a moment, looking across at my tree.
It hasn’t come any closer. Up out of the sea I rise in a butterfly surge, breathing one, two, three, “It’s easier,” I say to myself, even though I can now feel the tugging (拖、拽) of the outgoing tide, and the salt water slaps my face more than I want.
I must be nearly there, I think, and stop and look back at Duncan. His T-shirt is just a red blur (模糊不清的事物) on the beach. I smile to myself, thinking that not many people would do this swim, but I can. I turn my head to look for my tree.
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。
But something was wrong.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My heart stops pounding (怦怦跳) in my ears so much.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________