Every Christmas, people in shopping malls, grocery stores and on street corners collie donations for the Salvation Amy's programs for those in need. And bell-ringers are volunteers helping collect donations. That probably doesn't seem like a big deal to most people, but | find it difficult - in fact, ridiculously hard" to ask people for anything, even though I quite enjoy helping others when they need a hand.
My friends will tell you I'm outgoing, independent, even adventurous. Yet, when I'm sick I'd rather stagger out of the door half-dead to buy some chicken soup than ask a friend or neighbor for help. When | sign up for a run to raise money for cancer, I donate the cash myself rather than asking others. The thought of asking a friend for a ride to the airport is way too stressful, even though I know the answer would be yes.
So, I decided one Christmas | would take a baby step in learning to ask. I'd do a few shifts (轮班) as a "bell-ringer" to see how it felt to ask perfect strangers to give.
| arrived early and tried to calm my nerves as I approached the man standing by the donation box. For weeks, I had prepared myself for this. I put the instruction sheet on my refrigerator and re-read it many times. But I could not have felt worse as | slipped on the Salvation Army vest (背心and took my spot beside the donation box.
The man who had been a volunteer for a decade gave me some tips before he left. | thanked him and consciously tried to follow the tips. Stand (don't sit), smile, make eye contact, and don't ring the bell too loud or too often.
It felt awkward at first. My location on the second floor of shopping mall wasn't a busy spot, so | tried to smile and catch the eyes of every passerby. Most quickly glanced away. | worried | was making them feel guilty. | didn't like that at all.
注意：
1）所续写短文的词数应为150左右:
2）应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语:
3）续写部分分为两段,每段的开头语已为你写好:
4）续写完成后， 请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Para 1: I was starting to wonder whether this bell-ringing thing was for me when a lady walked purposefully toward me.
Para 2: For the rest of my shift, I became relaxed and were impressed by different people coming to me,
