1 . In one Nebraska teen running race before graduating from high school, Brandon Schutt’s personal best turned out not to be about marking the fastest time but displaying the biggest heart.

During the race, he knew he had the potential to ________ for the upcoming state meet, so he slowed to a comfortable ________ that would allow him to simply enjoy the moment and the day. Meanwhile, aiming to ________ his own personal record, after a fast start, Blake Cerveny continued to push himself ________. With less than 400 meters to go, Cerveny got a cramp (抽筋) in his legs and they ________ him. ________ to finish, Cerveny rose from the ground and continued on, only to ________ again after another 150 metere... and again. This time he’d ________ it only 25 meters more before going down. With tremendous effort, the young runner pulled himself up and with a(n) ________ pace, moved forward for one final push. It wasn’t enough. Less than 100 meters from the ________ line, he lay curled on the ground. His ________ had simply given out.

Brandon Schutt, who was at his side, ________ a helping hand. His first ________ to get Cerveny up failed, but like Cerveny, he too refused to ________. With a second tug (拖拽), Cerveny was on his ________. With Cerveny holding Schutt for ________ and Schutt helping Cerveny maintain balance, the two ________ the Final 75 meters. Schutt even made sure the injured runner crossed the finish line first, securing his ________ a faster time.

In today’s competitive world in which the emphasis in athletics is so often put on breaking records, it was ________ to see that for an athlete like Brandon Schutt, the value of true sportsmanship still had legs. And for others, like Blake Cerveny, knowing that finishing the race, no matter the odds or adversity, is the true ________ of a win.

2 . Doubling as educational centers and conservation centers, museums play an important role in the protection of ________. Although these institutions ________ in size and specialty, the task of most museums is around the display and care of their collections.

Today, many museums are among the most visited ________ in the world. In order to figure out how this important cultural phenomenon came to be, it is ________ important to understand its origins and trace how its role has developed over time.

The word museum ________ from “mouseion”, the Greek term for “a holy place for the Muses”. In classical Greek mythology, the nine Muses are the goddesses of the arts and sciences, making them perfect protectors for these ________ institutions.

Earliest museums were private collections and were only accessible to a narrow circle of people. They displayed ________ and curious natural objects and works of art. Some of them even ________ “wonder rooms” or “cabinets of curiosities”.

In 1683, an Englishman named Elias Ashmole donated the contents of his wonder room to Oxford University, forming the ________ of the Ashmolean Museum. Believing that “the knowledge of Nature is very necessary to human life and health,” Ashmole wanted to ________ the public through his unprecedented (前所未有的) donation. Following his footsteps, many like-minded collectors across Europe shifted their focus from ________ use to public access in the late 17^th and 18^th centuries. During this time, world-class museums began to make their art collections accessible to the public. The opening of these institutions ________ a string of similar movements in the 19^th century.

Today, the importance of public institutions is stronger than ever before. ________ taking care of collections and making them accessible to the public, many museums are using new technologies to improve their public programs, ________ their collections, and share their research. With these modern methods, museums are able to ________ audiences in new ways and extend their tasks beyond their walls.

5 . An 84­ year ­old American woman, Janet Fein received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas last week. Fein grew up in the Bronx area of New York City. When she was in high school, she just wanted to finish and get a job. After ______early,at the age of 16, she went to work as a secretary. After getting married, she spent 18 years staying home with her five children. She then had several jobs______she retired at age 77. But even then, she was not ready to______during the retirement.

She worked for 20 years on earning an associated degree, which she received in 1995. But Fein told the AP she also ______to earn a bachelor’s degree “with all of my heart”. Fein took part in a state program that lets people who are 65 and ______ take free classes at public universities in Texas. State officials say about 2,000 people used the ______last year.

Even with all of her life experiences, she said she ______ reading, writing papers and learning new things. “With each class I ______knew a lot, but I wanted more. And that made me happy.” Fein kept going to class even as her health conditions ______. During her studies, it became ______for her to use a walker (拐杖) to ______and she required oxygen. She even ______knee problems. So, instead of going to the university, Fein took online classes to finish the remaining part of her degree requirements. She never showed (a) ______of giving up even with all of her difficulties.

Many people set the ______of graduating from college at a very young age while Janet Fein waited a life time for her chance to reach that goal. As the saying goes, it’s never too late to learn. Learning can help people live a______life.

6 . Woody Davis had always been generous and kind. He never earned much money, but always ________ to everybody and aided others.

Folks in town are ________ for the good deeds he’s done over the last 50 years. Last year, they decided to try and return some of that ________. They started by cutting his firewood for winter. A couple of guys ________ his old and broken truck. Woody’s son, Clint Davis, said he didn’t know how much the community ________ his father until now. He said all the work his dad did for people has been ________ ten times and that anyone can’t buy the ________ that people have poured out for his dad.

Unfortunately, Woody’s days were ________. About a year ago, Woody contracted ALS (肌萎缩侧索硬化症). When CBS News ________ him in January, his health was declining rapidly. He was already ________ to lift and talk, but his spirit was completely ________. Woody told the reporter that he could hardly ________ all the help offered by local people. “I feel lucky that I am dying slowly,” Woody said. His words seemed ________. Woody explained that he was glad ________ he got to see how people felt about him and what he ________ meant to them before he died.

7 . Four girls. Two tents. No cellphones. A thunderstorm. One hundred and thirty hours of nonstop______. This was what Julia Ruelle just______.

“It was really______ ,” said Julia Ruelle of her recent weeklong adventure to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with three childhood friends.

Earlier this year, Julia, having completed a______for a brain tumor (肿瘤) in April, won a writing contest and was______a free five-day camping adventure with up to three friends. Its aim is to get kids away from technology. She struggled to choose the______three —— Anna Wander, Madeline Wilson and Julianna Torelli. No______are allowed, so getting their agreement was kind of______. Having a satellite phone and promising to check in twice during the week finally won their______.

The four girls arrived in Ely on June 10 for training. They______the next day at 7 :00 a. m. , and quickly fit many things into their______—— getting up early every morning, going boating______, then having lunch at the campsites,______by swinging, reading, talking, and napping.

“I love how you are separated from everything in your life, especially______,”Anna said. Without her phone, she said, “I'm less______about things.” “We got along pretty well,” said Madeline. “ We were always talking before bed, about specific things and thoughts_________” “But we might sometimes have had______,” Julianna added. No one was even hungry or homesick, but they were______nervous one night as they waited out a thunderstorm.

After the adventure, Julia will continue to take physical examination every three months to make sure the tumor is gone. “Mental health can be______so much in the Boundary Waters. It really helps to______and reconnect with yourself,” said Julia.