【读后续写】语篇素材积累(一)

【读后续写】语篇素材积累（一）

The Swimming Test

Nila sat alone on the bus. Her older sister, Lexi, was one seat ahead, acting as if this was the best day ever. But for Nila, it was the worst. It was the last day of swimming lessons. Test Day.

“If I pass my test, I can sign up for Junior Lifeguarding over the summer,” Nila heard Lexi telling her friend Jess. “You’re the best swimmer in the class,” Jess said. “There’s just no way you wouldn’t pass.” Maybe she could talk to Lexi about the test, who passed Level 4 several summers ago.

“I thought sisters were supposed to help each other actively,” Nila whispered to the window. An hour later, she held the edge of the pool, shaking. “For the last part of the test, you’ll all be swimming the width of the pool,” the instructor, Nate, told the class. “Can we swim in the shallow end?” Nila asked. “Nope,” Nate said cheerfully. “To pass Level 4, it has to be the deep end.”

Nila was nervous. She didn’t know if she could swim all the way across without touching the bottom. “I’ll be watching from the other side,” Nate said. “Ready?” No! Nila thought. But Nate put the whistle to his lips and blew. Nila took a deep breath and pushed off. Lexi moved up and down, feeling light. She completed smoothly and passed Level 7!

After a minute, Lexi spotted her sister crossing the pool. Nila was way behind the others. As Nila neared the middle of the pool, she slowed. “Keep going,” Lexi called. “You can do it!” Nila pushed one arm forward and dragged it back. Now the other arm. When she stopped to check her position, her heart sank. Only halfway across! Some kids in her class were already at the wall, playing and talking. Nate was bending over to talk to one of the kids. He didn’t see her. Better keep going, she thought. But she was tired. Lexi kept her eyes on her sister’s slow progress.

Three-fourths of the way across, Lexi saw Nila stop again. As Lexi watched,

Nila’s head dipped briefly underwater before it resurfaced. Uh-oh, thought Lexi. Her sister was in trouble, and she had to help. She kicked the bottom and started swimming toward Nila. Nila swallowed a mouthful of water and coughed. Panicky, she felt as if she had been swimming for hours. If only someone would see she was too tired to keep going. Not seeing Lexi coming to her, she scanned the edge for the instructor.

Just then, Nila felt someone’s arms grabbing her from behind. “Lie back (放松),” her sister’s voice said. “I’ve got you.” Much to her surprise, it was at the critical moment that Lexi came to her aid! They got out of water quickly. “How are you feeling?” Lexi asked. “OK. That’s a little scary.” “Don’t worry,” Lexi said, “Next time we go swimming, I could keep you company. With more practice, you can surely pass Level 4.” Hearing this, Nila smiled broadly, a current of warmth flooding over her.

【主题语境】

人与自我——游泳测试

【文章大意】

马上就要举行游泳测试了，姐姐Lexi是个游泳健将，她信心满满，充满期待，妹妹Nila却忧心忡忡，但又不愿主动向姐姐请教经验。测试开始了，不出所料，Lexi很快完成了自己的测试，然而却发现Nila遇到了麻烦。

【重点语句】

1. She didn’t know if she could swim all the way across without touching the bottom. 她不知道自己能否不碰到水底而一路游到对岸。

2. Not seeing Lexi coming to her, she scanned the edge for the instructor. 没有看到莱克茜往她这边来，她扫视着（游泳池的）边缘寻找教练。 3. Just then, Nila felt someone’s arms grabbing her from behind. 就在这时，妮拉感到有人从背后抓住了她。

4. Much to her surprise, it was at the critical moment that Lexi came to her aid!

令她惊讶的是，正是在这个关键时刻，莱克茜过来帮助她了！ 5. Hearing this, Nila smiled broadly, a current of warmth flooding over her. 听了这话，妮拉咧开嘴笑了/开心地笑了，一股暖流涌上全身。

【文章出处】英语沙龙·原版阅读2019年6月的“The Swimming Test”。