Amy's choice

江蘇陳洋中學 陸鵬飛

題材體裁 篇幅 建議用時369詞 7分鐘故事 記敘文

難詞探意

1.neglectful /n?'ɡlektfl/ adj.馬虎的；不重視的；忽視的

2.scatter /'sk?t?(r)/ v.散開；使分散

3.cramped /kr?mpt/ adj.狹窄的

4.torture /'t??rt??(r)/ n.折磨；痛苦

5.split /spl?t/ v.分裂；分開

Imagine growing up with aneglectfulmother and three brothers who are about to bescatteredto foster homes.This teenage heroine found a way to keep them together: adopt them.It was nearly midnight by the time 19-year-old Amy returned to hercrampedapartment, and she was exhausted.After a full day's work at a flower shop, she had put in another six hours waitressing before heading home.

Pushing the key into the lock, she quietly opened the door so as not to wake her younger siblings.The apartment was a shambles: plates of halfeaten food were scattered in front of the TV; toys were littered on the floor;clothes, shoes and homework were thrown everywhere.Amy's eyes welled with tears.Would the court tell her she couldn't care for her family anymore? Would the kids go through thetortureonce more of beingsplitup and sent away? She was so young, almost a child herself, and yet Amy knew everything depended on her.Everything.At that moment,she wondered if she would ever find the strength to see it through.

Amy had a neglectful mother and she had to fight for everything in life.From earliest childhood,Amy took care of her younger siblings.She could have been admitted to a university through her efforts, but she chose another kind of life—to be the guardian of her siblings.Once she began struggling with the rules and paperwork for adoption, Amy felt frightened and often lost.At last, the family appeared in the court.This was a major step toward full adoption.The judge's eyes were filled with tears as she addressed Amy.“I'm very proud of you,” she said.“Not many family members would do what you're doing, especially for so many children.” The judge then turned to the three boys.“The plan is for you to be a family forever.” As the proceedings ended, Amy thanked everyone.“No,” the judge responded, “thank you.You saved these kids.”

Amy continues to raise her family alone, but she has also begun taking courses in business management at a nearby community college.Eventually, she hopes to become a child psychologist.

Reading Check

1.What can we know about Amy?

A.She lived close to a flower shop.

B.She contributed a lot to her family.

C.Her mother was responsible for the family.

D.Her siblings were considerate and educated.

2.What does the underlined word “shambles” in paragraph 2 mean?

A.An untidy place. B.An attractive place.

C.A place full of toys. D.A place full of pleasure.

3.Why were the judge's eyes filled with tears?

A.She felt disappointed at Amy's being a guardian.

B.She was worried about Amy's future life.

C.She showed sympathy for Amy's family.

D.She was touched by Amy's courage.

4.Which word can best describe Amy?

A.Mild. B.Aggressive. C.Responsible. D.Selfish.

Language Study

Sentence for writing

At that moment, she wondered if she would ever find the strength to see it through.那一刻，她想知道自己是否有勇氣堅持到底。

【信息提取】wonder if...意為“想知道……”。

【句式仿寫】我想知道這是否滿足你的需求。_