1 . He is a born dwarf, only 100 centimeters tall. His _________ did not bring joy to his family, but cast a shadow on his parents’ hearts. Because he _________ a rare disease, his bones are as _________ as glass.

He showed great interest in music at an early age, — _________ the piano. However, it is not easy for a person with weak hands and feet to learn it. Every time he has to rely on others to _________ him to get up and down the piano seat.

Later, his father figured out a way to — _________ a special assistor (助力器) on the piano, which made it easier for his feet to move the pedal. Even so, he often has _________ situations in the process of practicing the piano, but he _________ them and practices the piano crazily. At the age of 13,he was recommended to two musicians and under their careful guidance, his talents were undoubtedly _________.

When he performed in public for the first time, he ____________ in front of the stage for three minutes before starting to play. After the performance, there was a brief ____________ in the audience, and then thunderous applause ____________.

Someone asked him why he stood for three minutes first. He explained, “Many people came because they were ____________ about my figure. Let them see enough before my performance.”

Being in the magical music world, he forgot the pain caused by his broken limbs and became full of ____________ and high spirits. Instead of focusing on his physical body, people looked up at the “height” of his ____________ with admiration.

3 . I vividly remember the day when my husband and I set off on a new journey to Tanzania. He had been ______ a position there as a Civil Engineer. Accompanying him, my aim was to find a job shortly after. As you can imagine, I was very excited, even rather ______, as I’d never been abroad before. So, my first ______ was to get settled in this small town called Dodoma in the middle of Tanzania.

As we got off the train, however, at six in the morning, a lady came rushing along the ______ towards us. Completely out of breath, she said, “We’ve heard you’re from England and our school ______ needs an English teacher — please say you’ll help us.” I felt tired and ______ a shower after the journey. Though shocked by her ______, for some reason or other, I agreed to ______ it!

I washed, changed, had a quick bite to eat and was ______ to the two local teachers and my ______ at 8 o’clock. It felt like being thrown into the deep end, as my teaching timetable began ______ at 8:30! Although I’d hardly had time to get my breath, I never ______ my sudden decision.

Though my entry into this ______ was unexpected, I found joy in teaching those youngsters and gradually became part of the local community in the following years. I’ve been fortunate to ______ lifelong friendships, which has left a lasting ______ on both my students and myself.

4 . Heat waves area fact of summer. When one hits, Manhattan turns into a concrete desert; even my dog is affected. The moment Millie_________the temperature outside our building, she makes a(n)_________and heads back home. Today is going to be a day when_________happens, which makes me satisfied.

I recalled the_________Saturday last year, which was perfect for an outing. “Come on, Mil,” I requested her, “You need exercise!” She gave me a begging look and then_________in the direction of the city park, moving slowly, on purpose. I tried to speed up but ___________

Finally we arrived. Millie settled herself for a nap (打盹) in the _________, under the bench where I was sitting checking my phone. Napping was not_________! I glanced up and scanned the surroundings for a ball I could throw.

I saw dogs were everywhere, relaxing, stretching or just sitting_________with their people. Owners read books,__________themselves, or napped, heads leaning to one side. A breeze gently blew from the Hudson River, causing trees to__________. Otherwise, all was quiet.

Millie was right. What was all the__________about, especially in such a good day? Take a__________. I switched off my phone, slipped it into my pocket and__________my eyes.

A day when nothing happened and I felt____________.

5 . Bang! Somewhere, someone set off fireworks. After hearing the loud noise, ten-year-old Rosie, ran back towards her ________, Steve Harper. Rosie, ________ from a rescue shelter, was easily shocked by loud sounds when she first arrived, but soon fell in love with the Harpers’ sons and ________ with Steve. But Rosie’s ________ of loud noises always continued and never ________. After the second bang on that Friday afternoon, she took off and ________ disappeared from sight with a silver ring shining around her neck.

Nowhere can Steve find Rosie. Steve had less than five minutes to begin worrying when his phone rang. “Is that black-and-white dog yours, Mr. Harper? She’s just ________ herself over. It seems that she were a criminal.” On the other end the voice came, and the caller was half ________.

Closed-circuit television showed Rosie walking into the police station, ________ around for a few seconds as if she were looking for food, and ________ seating herself in the waiting room just like a lady. A few minutes later, staff ________, gave her some water and called Steve, whose phone number was on Rosie’s ________.

Steve supposed why Rosie knew just where to ________: the waiting room chairs closely resemble those at the local vet. “Maybe she saw the chairs and thought, Oh, this is what I do. I sit and wait.”

Steve headed to fetch Rosie from the ________ and the dog was overjoyed. On their way home, Steve hugged her and stroked her curry hair. Finally they arrived home, safe and ________.

6 . Pingtan, the biggest island off the coast of Fujian Province, is popular with tourists these days. It has also attracted many ________ seeking a pleasant place to settle down. Among them is Italian fashion ________ Filippo Strada, who has lived on the island for four years.

Born in Milan, Strada has a well-developed ________ of fashion design. It is this love of fine clothing that led him to a career in the industry. Over the past decade, he has ________ his career in China, living in various cities. ________, due to his growing business and ________ travels, Strada spent a lot of time away from home. After his daughter was born, he made up his mind to go back to his wife’s hometown of Pingtan in 2018.

Strada ________ Pingtan with his family, determined to build a happy home on the island. But he also had a dream of building a successful business there, making the most of the local ________ development. Strada had a winning idea. He would ________ his heritage to provide goods and services with an authentic Italian ________. Starting from zero, Strada now ________ a high-end tailor shop, a cafe and an Italian restaurant in Pingtan, ________ exotic (异域风情的) experiences to both locals and tourists.

As for the future, Strada plans to ________ Chinese and English salons (沙龙) in his Italian restaurant to ________ more knowledge of Western culture. “I’m very willing to do my part to make Pingtan a (n) ________ and diverse community that is popular around the world,” he said.

7 . “Who's that, Grandma? ” Four-year-old Taylor pointed to a delicate gold photo frame I had placed on my desk. “That's great-grandma Gladys, ” I replied.

I ________ the picture, my fingers carefully tracing the outline of the familiar face returning my gaze(凝视): her clear blue eyes, the wrinkle lines that ________ her forehead and the tender smile that always comforted me.

My mind was filled with remembrances of my mother. Always the ________, it seemed she never made anyone angry. Even though she was ________ able physically, she baby-sat my young daughter so I could work. She always made ________ for her grandchildren. Even when she wasn't with them, she was making something for them with her hands.

Then her illness ________ . The doctor wanted to experiment with a (an) ________ that might give her another year of life. She agreed so she could be around to ________ her long-awaited first great-grandchild.

The surgery ________ . Several weeks later, Mom passed away, exactly a month before Taylor's birth. Still in great ________, I traveled five hundred miles to be with my family and welcome my new grandson.

A few days later, as I ________ Taylor gently to help him sleep, suddenly I understood why she was so ________ taking care of for our family. Her love for us was so deep and so ________ —a love I was only beginning to learn to give.

“She looks like you, Grandma! ” Taylor's voice brought me back to the ________. He touched the gold-framed photo tenderly. My eyes turned to his, and a ________ smile came to my lips and heart, for then I knew my mother's love and peace. It's a legacy (遗产)of love.

8 . At 59, Doctor Xiao Jiulin stands only 90 centimeters tall. He is the _______ of a childhood disease that severely influences his bone _______. As the only doctor at the clinic, he _______ all the work. However, nothing seems too _______ for Xiao.

Yet it was almost impossible to _______ his dream of becoming a doctor. His parents couldn’t afford his _______ beyond high school, and he desperately needed to _______ himself. He learned palm-reading, always _______ to study medicine and save lives, though. His _______ paid off. He got the chance to apprentice at a clinic ________ for two years and studied at a local medical school for another three years. He then returned to his home village to be a doctor.

No patient came to his ________ at first. The villagers, who were ________ of his competence, would rather go to the neighboring villages for ________. “I refused to be ________, knowing I needed to improve myself to ________ their trust,” said Xiao. He read medical books whenever he had time.

Today the clinic has provided primary care for at least 2,000 villagers, but as Xiao’s reputation grows, more patients from neighboring areas come to consult him.

10 . Generally, most people feel delighted when birthday comes, especially children. They count the days and can’t wait to send ________ to their friends, in hope of getting together and enjoying a birthday cake. ________, not everyone is excited about birthday. There are many people out there who never ________ to celebrate it. They find the day as ________ as any other day. Nothing in their routine changes in the name of ________.

This may be common in those who are in their 50’s or older. For some people in this age, life becomes a ________ that is going on and on and at a ________ pace. They feel like losing control of their time and every passing year ________ the fear of dying soon. This is not good as it stimulates negativity. But some people do so and they can’t ________ it. Their birthday is nothing more than ________ news for them.

Some people do not like to come to the notice of others due to any possible reason on this earth. They just don’t want to be the ________of others. You may feel surprised about this nature but they like to remain as part of the crowd. Birthdays are ________ to this feeling as they bring sudden ________ to people.

There is also another part of the population that thinks it is a ________ of money. Their logic is, why lose the hard-earned ________ for the pleasure of three to four hours?