1 . Two years ago, when I turned sixty, I began to think of my life at the age of ninety. If I were at that age, I would still want to stay in shape to enjoy life, getting a lot of _______. Then I decided to _______ a senior fitness center.

I called a nearby center, “Do you have aerobics (有氧运动) classes _______ for seniors?” “Sure. Come! We start at 10 am,” the receptionist (接待员) replied and _______ . The next morning, I went there. One part of me doubted that the class was too _______. The other part feared it was too hard for me to _______.

When I came into the room, a woman _______ me, “Oh, you’re new. Welcome to have a try.” Then the music started. The hour-long workout woke up the muscles I didn’t often _______ in daily walks, suiting me fine. I became a _______ there. My classmates ranged in age from fifty to ninety. Most did the exercises in their own way, doing as much or little as they could. ________ no one kept score. Soon I learned physical well-being wasn’t the only ________ there. During breaks, people ________ happily. Whenever some people were ________ we asked around. Were they busy? Were they in hospital? Moreover, we signed cards for those who were ill.

Although I ________ to be in good shape now as I’ve hoped, I’m still grateful for things more valuable from the class-close friendships and new social _______.

2 . When Marco was a boy, he tried everything to get his father’s love and attention. He studied hard to get good ________ and tried to behave well. He was shy and shorter than the other boys. Besides, his father was ________ and had little time for him. Except for his ________ for housework after school, there was no communication. Marco felt very ________.

One day, his maths teacher called him that some young teenagers were ________ a public speaking contest. She thought he should give it a ________. She firmly believed he could perform on stage (舞台) like other kids. Feeling her strong trust, Marco agreed to ________ the contest.

All winter, he took a bus to ________ twice a week in another city, where the competition would take place. Marco was taken by a strong ________ he never felt before. Finally, the big day arrived. His father, and yes, his maths teacher, were present. When he stepped onto the stage and began to speak, he felt ________ at home. He was funny, and acted very naturally. He won! He noticed his father’s eyes were ________ — he was so proud. It was then that his father ________ he should pay more attention to the child.

As the winner, his name was ________ in the local papers. He knew this was the ________ of his new life. It all happened because of a phone call, from one who ________ him.