1 . Good news came from Killington. In a challenging ______ that unfolded in 2024, the police department, along with the search and rescue team, ______ rescued 23 lost skiers and snowboarders. It was a remarkable ______ of teamwork and commitment.

The police department received a call at 2: 30 pm informing them of 7-9 lost individuals in the woods. However, as the officers, ______ with the search and rescue team, dug into the investigation, they ______ a more extensive situation involving a total of 21 last individuals. They set off instantly.

______ frosty temperatures, the rescuers hiked and snowshoed about 5 miles to reach the trapped skiers and snowboarders. They tripped and ______ their knees. But their goal was ______ : find everyone and bring them to safety. Finally, they did it.

Just when the rescuers thought their mission was ______, an additional call came in for two more lost skiers. Without any ______, six of the rescuers reentered the woods. They ______ and accompanied the lost to safety, ______ the highly organized activity at about 7: 30 pm.

The rescuers went to great ______ to ensure the safety and well-being of others. The ______ of these selfless individuals illustrated the true spirit of community. The police department ______ special thanks to all involved.

2 . A dog named Kobe became a hero by finding a gas leak in his owner’s front yard. The dog’s action underlined the importance of paying attention to the _______ of our companions.

The story began when Kobe, owned by Chanell Bell, was _______ digging a sizable hole in the yard. Initially _______ it as typical dog behavior, Bell grew _______ as the hole expanded. _______ that Kobe’s action was unusual, she _______ the dog’s judgment, given his normally well-behaved nature.

Following the _______ and repair of a recent gas leak in her home, Bell _______ her house with a gas detection device. She assessed Kobe’s _______ dug hole using the device. The device detected gas coming from the hole, so Bell contacted the authorities about the ________ .

“If the gas had continued to leak into our homes,” said Bell, “something as ________ as a light switch turning on could have caused an explosion!”

Workers discovered three main leaks in Bell’s neighborhood caused by aging pipes. It took the workers over three days to repair the leaks and ________ new pipes. Bell said, “Kobe ________ them as an exceptionally outstanding dog. It feels amazing to know Kobe went to that kind of ________ to save our block. Humans and animals can, should and must enjoy each other’s ________ . I am very thankful to have Kobe.”

3 . Andante Williams had finished his day job as a manager and then slept a while. After he________, his driver app showed lots of passengers needed a________, so he jumped into his new truck and________working. When the fourth________of the night asked him to drive her 150 miles to her home in Williamsburg, Virginia, Andante said yes.

It was after midnight. Suddenly traffic on I-95 stopped dead by heavy snow and thousands of people were________on the highway. Andante tried getting off the highway, but road closures (封闭) forced them back into the traffic almost_________ .

One hour went by, two hours went by..., and five and a half________went by. Both Andante and his teen passenger made________to tell their family members what was happening. __________, Andante kept snacks and water in his__________ . And he________talking with her to make sure she was OK. Even though she said she was________ , he could tell she was scared.

________the traffic started to________again. That was when the tired driver did something__________ . Instead of simply dropping the teen off at the first opportunity and going home, he________her to a hotel and rented (租) her a________because she was too________to do so herself. Then, he called her parents and told them that she was__________ . He even________to drive her to Williamsburg for free once the roads were clear.

The story was shared online with the words, “Not all heroes wear capes (披风).”