It was a sun-kissed spring afternoon along the beautiful Maryland coast, and Jonathan Bauer, a 51-year-old former firefighter, was enjoying a rare moment with his 13-year-old daughter, Ava. The two of them were heading home across the Route 90 bridge, over the waters of Assawoman Bay.
However, the peace of their drive was suddenly disturbed by the noise of tires and a horrible crash just ahead of them. A black truck was out of control, running into a concrete barrier, and finally coming to rest over the bridge’s railing(栏杆).
In that heart-stopping moment, Bauer hit the brakes in time to avoid the vehicles in his path, narrowly avoiding a crash with the truck ahead. But his heart sank as he saw a red car sliding backward towards him. He turned left, but too late——the car ultimately crashed into the trunk of his car.
Bauer stopped the car. “Ava, are you OK?” he asked. Thankfully, Ava emerged from the chaos, but otherwise unhurt. Bauer, however, couldn’t stand by. Rushing to the red car, he checked on its driver. “Are you OK?” he asked the driver. She nodded, too shocked to speak.
Then, suddenly, a scream of “HELP” cut through the air, coming from the overturned truck. As the truck driver climbed out and pointed toward the water, Bauer raced to his side. In the shallow bay waters below, he spotted a car seat and a terrified two-year-old girl, dressed in a pink dress.
Without hesitation, Bauer instructed Ava to call the ambulance as he removed his shoes. He knew the situation was urgent, and he had to act swiftly to save the baby. He climbed onto the bridge’s railing, preparing to make a jump of faith into the water. He was not sure about his chances jumping from this height into such shallow water. And were there rocks this close to the concrete pillar(柱子) of the bridge?
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。
Bauer jumped into the water.
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As the ambulance left, Ava anxiously turned to her father.
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2 . At 102 years old, toy inventor Eddy Goldfarb is still going like freshly wound Yakity-Yak Talking Teeth, one of his more than 800 creations. Goldfarb also dreamed up the Bubble Gun, battery-powered Stomper vehicles and KerPlunk, in which hopeful players hold their breath as they strategically remove sticks without disturbing the marbles above.
“Being active and being creative is my secret, and I think it could apply to a lot of people,” the Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductee (新成员) says in an interview before singing the praises of his pair of 3D printers. “That’s the most wonderful machine because you start with nothing, and it goes layer by layer and builds something.”
The Chicago native still creates in his workshop and is the focus of Eddy’s World, a documentary that aired on TV. The 28-minute film is directed by his daughter, Lyn Goldfarb.
Goldfarb knew he was going to be a creator at 5 when his father invited an inventor to dinner. “That’s when I learned the meaning of the word,” he says, “and I knew from then on that I was going to be an inventor.” The designer couldn’t afford college and joined the Navy during World War II. He thought of the ideas for his first three toys while serving on the USS Batfish.
Goldfarb feels “very lucky” to still be alive at his age. He owes his longevity (长寿) to being creative and his optimistic personality. “During the war, I was on the submarine (潜艇) and saw a lot of action, and I think I realized what’s important and what’s not,” he says. “I found out that most things aren’t that important. I can overlook a lot.”
What’s next for the centenarian (百岁老人)? He’d fancy another milestone birthday. “Oh, I’d like to turn 105,” he says. “I’m fortunate that I’m healthy. I don’t have any of the aches and pains that I heard about all my life. So life is worth living. At 105, we’ll start thinking about what we should do.”
1. What does the first paragraph tell us about Goldfarb?A.He is a highly respected toy inventor. |
B.He is one of the oldest toy inventors. |
C.He has invented less than 800 toys. |
D.He is still active in toy invention. |
A.He directed a short film. |
B.He once dropped out of college. |
C.He was not famous until he was 102. |
D.He became the focus of a documentary. |
A.At the age of five. | B.While serving in the Navy. |
C.When dining with an inventor. | D.During his stay with his daughter. |
A.Lucky and wealthy. | B.Greative and positive. |
C.Determined and generous. | D.Ambitious and hardworking. |
Like many kids, last summer I learned to ride a bike. Only I am in my 30s. When I was a child, I had no one to teach me. My mum never learned. My parents divorced (离婚) when I was 4, and in an attempt to perform parental responsibility, my father bought a bicycle for my brother and me to share.
My mum later remarried. When my brother and I were laughed at because we were the only kids past 6 years old who still relied on training wheels, my stepdad removed them, but in doing that, I lost interest and trust in the activity. I was so scared—I was quite tall for my age at 7 and I was worried I’d fall off. I thought I was too old to learn too.
Not knowing how to ride didn’t bother me initially, until we moved to the suburbs, where bicycles were popular. On trips to the convenience store to buy candy with my friends, I was always the last to arrive, on foot. By then, I was 12 years old.
In my early 30s, I remember feeling envious as I watched children as young as 3 learn to balance on bikes. Among them were my neighbours, whom I would occasionally babysit. Then something changed. The fear within was still there, but something much stronger was taking over.
I decided to join a women’s bike-riding workshop. There, I stood in an urban park, determined to overcome my fear. Meeting women from diverse backgrounds, all seeking cycling skills for various reasons, strengthened my determination. The first thing I noticed was how different each person’s learning curve (曲线) was. Some were balancing in no time, while others, like me, needed a bit more time. The workshop was a safe space, full of encouragement and support. Each time I fell, there were hands to help me up, and every time I made progress, there were cheers to celebrate it. Several weeks later, I learned to ride.
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。
To enjoy the joy of riding, I bought my own bike.
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Learning to ride a bike in my 30s taught me that it’s never too late to learn something new. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Losing a parent is one of the most painful parts of life. No matter how old we are when our parents leave us, it can be a heartbroken experience. Our memories are all that are left of them and happy reminders of their love turn into our most valuable treasures. That’s how Mara Soriano feels about the teddy bear that she tragically (不幸地) lost during her recent move to a new apartment.
Diagnosed (诊断) with cancer, Mara Soriano’s mother, Marilyn, gave her daughter the bear as a gift. After her mother’s death last June, the gift became even more special. “That bear was basically the last reminder of my mom. It was her voice that accompanied me,” she said in an interview.
The toy didn’t cost a lot, but it contained a recording of her mother’s voice telling her that she loved her so much and was proud of her. The bear, called Mama Bear, was in the backpack that contained electronics like an iPad. When the bag was lost last week during the move, the 28-year-old was heartbroken — not for the devices (设备), but for Mama Bear.
Mara posted a photo of her and her Mama Bear on the Internet, explaining the importance of the bear. Millions of netizens were touched by the story. More and more people were talking about the bear, but there was no good news for Mara. So again and again she posted online about the item and the story behind it, hoping it could catch more viewers’ attention in a big way.
Actor Ryan Reynolds was moved by Mara’s story and then posted an appeal for Mama Bear’s safe return. “I think we all need this bear to come home,” he wrote. Along with the message, he also offered a reward for the people who found the bear.
注意:
1. 所续写短文的词数应为80词左右;
2. 续写部分的开头语已为你写好。
One day, here came a piece of good news from the Internet.
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5 . On August 2, 2023, Paul, 68, and Dawn Molineux, 66, from the United Kingdom, visited Southport’s Hickory’s Smokehouse to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary (周年纪念日) in advance. The actual date of their anniversary was August 29 but
The couple, who were high school sweethearts, found out at the beginning of the year that Paul had a
Paul wrote on a Facebook food review group for Southport about how Davies went
After enjoying their meal, some drinks, and a delicious dessert, Paul and Dawn
Paul admitted he was “lost for words” when Davies explained how touched he was by their story and had
A.time | B.money | C.medicine | D.food |
A.save | B.prepare | C.finish | D.use |
A.mental | B.curable | C.serious | D.minor |
A.offered | B.intended | C.pretended | D.refused |
A.anniversary | B.victory | C.graduation | D.relationship |
A.entirely | B.normally | C.highly | D.warmly |
A.sign | B.postcard | C.sculpture | D.flag |
A.guest | B.leader | C.server | D.host |
A.judgment | B.impression | C.knowledge | D.reputation |
A.far and wide | B.off and on | C.up and down | D.above and beyond |
A.interested | B.engaged | C.involved | D.absorbed |
A.inquired | B.recognized | C.expected | D.created |
A.worried about | B.asked for | C.set aside | D.took out |
A.told | B.spoke | C.wrote | D.read |
A.prepared | B.covered | C.made | D.provided |
6 . Star Wars Episode I was out! Five of us guys decided to drive an hour to Champaign to see the movie. The Lorraine Theatres had a widespread
In two cars, we
Approaching the theatre, we found the doors locked. Just as we finished
He asked us where we had come from, and we told him. After minutes of small talk, I said
It struck me that it would have been
A.confidence | B.commitment | C.reputation | D.resource |
A.headed | B.appealed | C.submitted | D.led |
A.broke up | B.speeded up | C.pulled up | D.showed up |
A.schedule | B.budget | C.duration | D.business |
A.opening | B.trying | C.unlocking | D.answering |
A.called | B.stopped | C.returned | D.stored |
A.update | B.overcome | C.transform | D.design |
A.secretly | B.anxiously | C.desperately | D.jokingly |
A.rejected | B.agreed | C.hesitated | D.departed |
A.affordable | B.temporary | C.regular | D.common |
A.change | B.credit | C.ticket | D.choice |
A.reasonable | B.sensitive | C.cruel | D.sympathetic |
A.performance | B.patience | C.solution | D.equipment |
A.generating | B.operating | C.describing | D.purchasing |
A.pay | B.charge | C.cover | D.reward |
7 . That year I was nineteen and studying chemistry at college. My family thought education was the
At nineteen, the advice was hard for me to
There was only one way to
I’m now fifty years old, and live
A.key | B.pattern | C.factor | D.process |
A.intelligence | B.difficulty | C.interest | D.time |
A.friends | B.parents | C.teachers | D.companions |
A.identical | B.reasonable | C.convincing | D.weak |
A.pass | B.monitor | C.evaluate | D.arrange |
A.optimism | B.determination | C.emotion | D.passion |
A.clean | B.set | C.repair | D.cross |
A.happiness | B.problems | C.regrets | D.personality |
A.adapt | B.turn down | C.absorb | D.put forward |
A.warned | B.commanded | C.advised | D.reminded |
A.music | B.chemistry | C.physics | D.subject |
A.emphasized | B.ignored | C.valued | D.avoided |
A.wonder | B.discuss | C.prove | D.doubt |
A.admitted | B.switched | C.headed | D.returned |
A.poorly | B.cautiously | C.bitterly | D.happily |
8 . Chris Smith is a 16-year-old student. He played
“My parents passed away and I lived at my sister’s,” Chris recalls. “I know it was a
But Chris’ history teacher had different
A good teacher makes all the
Chris worked even harder and
“I never thought I’d have a chance to study in a university. But I had
And now, as a teacher, Chris takes time to speak to students about what it
A.cards | B.chess | C.music | D.sports |
A.For instance | B.As a consequence | C.By all appearances | D.In return |
A.privately | B.actually | C.gradually | D.generally |
A.trouble | B.duty | C.priority | D.pity |
A.hold on | B.grow up | C.set off | D.drop out |
A.methods | B.opinions | C.predictions | D.backgrounds |
A.accomplish | B.regret | C.deserve | D.miss |
A.difference | B.decisions | C.arrangements | D.sense |
A.academic | B.temporary | C.individual | D.outstanding |
A.escaped | B.finished | C.attended | D.started |
A.admitted | B.compared | C.limited | D.attached |
A.failed | B.pretended | C.expected | D.learned |
A.takes | B.means | C.proves | D.obtains |
A.identity | B.rules | C.words | D.explanation |
A.best | B.cutest | C.kindest | D.smartest |
9 . As Eline reached the top of Mount Langley, a 14,000-foot mountain in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada, she could feel the soft sand under her feet and hear the enveloping silence of the wonderful mountain. But she couldn’t see a thing.
Born almost completely blind, Eline is among a growing number of outdoor-adventure athletes who refused to let disabilities reduce them to onlookers. She had a strong desire to take part in outdoor activities when she was very young. Unfortunately, her early efforts to fit in with the other kids didn’t go well. While she experienced countless failures, she faced up to them.
When it comes to her final success in outdoor sports, it is all credited to her doctor who is expert in instructing blind runners. Impressed by Eline’s love for adventure, the doctor recommended her to join a half-marathon. Eline had never run more than 4 or 5 miles at that point. She worried about making a fool of herself or wasting her doctor’s time. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “If we have to walk the last few miles, it’s no big deal.”
Eline ran every step of that race and won her division. It was her first taste of athletic success and a turning point. Since then, she has traveled the globe, blowing away most of her visually impaired (视觉障碍的) competition in 47 marathons, from New York to Athens to Barcelona. In 2015, she won her division in the Boston Marathon, one of the most celebrated and competitive races in the world.
Marathons had become sort of Eline’s routine, but climbing a 14,000-foot mountain was so wildly out of her comfort zone that it brought back the butterflies she felt in her stomach before that first half-marathon more than a decade ago. Now, she made it. The change was just as meaningful. “Life can be scary, but fear doesn’t help,” she said. “Being blind creates hardships other athletes don’t face, but it also brings out extraordinary grace and generosity (大方).”
1. What can we learn about Eline from the first two paragraphs?A.She got along well with others. | B.She had a strong determination. |
C.Her dream gave in to disabilities. | D.Her blindness resulted from climbing. |
A.Her tireless efforts. | B.Her love for adventure. |
C.Her families’ support and company. | D.Her doctor’s guidance and encouragement. |
A.To popularize a famous event. | B.To promote Eline’s sportsmanship. |
C.To show Eline’s achievements. | D.To praise visually impaired athletes. |
A.Blind Courage | B.Narrow Success |
C.A Challenging Climb | D.An Eventful Adventure |
Katie was happily jumping rope on the grass in front of her house facing the expansive city park just across the road. The neighborhood residents often enjoyed walking around the lake in the park, and on this pleasant day, with the sun casting its warm light, Katie spent the unhurried moments devoted to her jumping routine.
Her thoughts were focused on her jumping: how to match the spinning of the jump rope in her hands and the jumping of her feet so that they didn’t get mixed, causing her to trip. When her mind and muscles were working together, and when every move flowed smoothly, all of it felt pretty good in the afternoon sunshine. While jumping, she remembered that her grandmother had given her the jump rope for Christmas. She knew that her grandmother didn’t have a lot of money and had to save up to buy the jump rope for her. Before Christmas, her grandmother had taken her to some toy shops to look at different things, hoping to find out what Katie wanted. When Katie finally got the gift, it was not just a jump rope but the very jump rope she had wanted for a long time. She felt especially loved by her considerate grandmother.
The warmth of the afternoon sun enhanced the joy Katie felt as she skipped along. Suddenly a boy rushed across the road to her. Without any warning he robbed her of her jump rope, shouting, “Give me that” and raced back across the road towards the park.
Empty-handed, Katie was left in confusion. It took her a while to recover from the shock. When she came to her senses and realized the theft of her grandma’s gift, tear swelled up. A wave of anger and disappointment swept over her. But in that moment of upset, something unusual in the park captured her attention.
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。
Following the boy quickly, she spotted a group of kids crying anxiously by the lake.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________After making sure the drowning girl was okay, the boy walked up to Katie with the jump rope.
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