1 . When the bell rang on the last day of school, Susanna cheered along with her classmates. School was over, and summer was beginning!

Some students were ________ to go to summer camp while others were just happy to stay at home and rest. However, summertime for Susanna ________ only one thing: the cottage.

On sunny days at the cottage, there was so much ________ ! The sunshine made the lake shine like a diamond. The gentle wind ________ the leaves on the trees, sounding like a waterfall. Susanna was ________ to go swimming with her parents in the clear lake on the hottest days. She also liked rowing herself on a paddle board (浆板), ________ she often fell off it!

On ________ days, the family would stay indoors, watching movies or ________ challenging jigsaw puzzles. At night they would do some ________ , embracing (拥抱) the wonder of literature while listening to the sounds of the rain falling on the roof.

Susanna loved the way her whole family spent the summer there. However, the ________ was her cousins’ visit. They would light a campfire at night, singing and dancing to music outdoors. Once inside, ________ themselves under blankets, Susanna and her cousins would tell ________ and laugh to tears until the adults found them and told them to be quiet. ________ , they would fall asleep, one by one, until only Susanna remained ________ . She would fall asleep to the gentle snores of exhausted children, wishing that summer at the cottage would never ________.

2 . After finishing high school and before going on to further education or the world of work, there will be a break over the summer. Using this break wisely can be very ________. So let’s take a look at some summer break ________.

Working The world of work can feel more stressful than school, but it definitely has its ________. Some people work during their break to get valuable work experience. Finding a ________ work in a company will ________ you some great experience, and you may even be able to return to the company in the future.

Volunteering Being a volunteer usually ________ doing important work in the service of others. Volunteering is often quite challenging, but it’s an extremely worthwhile experience to ________ society. Try to volunteer in a field that you are interested in, as this may help your ________ career.

Travelling Travelling will build your confidence and increase your ________. But why is travel so important? For centuries, famous writers and thinkers have written about the importance of travel. Travel ________ great stories, photos, and friends. It also gives you a fresh ________ on where you are from. Although it does cost money, it is an experience which builds your ________ and gives you time to think and develop.

The summer break should be seen as a(n) ________ part of your education. You can learn about the world, adult life, and, most ________, yourself, and it could possibly ________ great changes in your life.

3 . I remember to this day the feeling of the cold wind causing my ears to hurt. However, that didn’t _________ me at this time. It was Hogmanay and the bays of the town were carrying out the _________ of going from house to house on this special evening.

It is thought that the tradition came from the Vikings who were settlers in the Western Isles. Honestly, that wasn’t _________ to me. I was out and about having _________.

There were about 25 houses to visit in my town of North Boisdale. The start time was 19:00 and all the boys would _________ at one end of the town and begin to _________ each house. Each person had a pillowcase (枕头套) that would be filled with goodies (好吃的东西) _________ from householders.

Outside each house one person would ask the man of the house for permission (许可) to _________. Once inside the house a candle would be lit by the oldest boy in the group and _________ the candle would be passed round all family members. After that, the mother of the house would bring out the __________. Fruit, biscuits and of course sweets. On __________ each house the oldest boy in the group would __________ the family luck in the coming year.

After being to each house the pillowcases would be __________ and heavy and it was at the last house that the fun began. The pillowcases would be __________ and the goodies shared out equally.

The last house would also provide a small party that would, __________ before midnight so all the boys were home before the bells.

5 . Everyone celebrates his birthdays in different ways. A birthday is _________ to be a happy day. However, this year, it seemed like everybody had forgotten about mine.

When I _________ up in the morning, nobody came to wish me a happy birthday. In the kitchen, there was no special breakfast _________ for me. Not even a simple _________ or present was in sight. My parents did not seem to realize that I was _________ at being forgotten. My mother even sent me out to buy some vegetables for her.

I was _________ it all the way to the supermarket and back. As I opened the door, however, people jumped out from behind the furniture and yelled. “Surprise! Happy birthday!”

My whole family was there, including my grandparents and all my friends! The _________ dining table was now _________ with plates of fried chicken wings, meatballs, colourful jellies and fruit, and there was a pile of presents on one end of it. My mother carried out a large chocolate cake with ten candles on it, and everybody began to sing. I was excited and tried hard to hold my _________.

When the singing was over, I __________ out the candles with all my strength. My mother took the cake __________ to cut up and everybody came forward to give me their gifts. Then, we __________ the delicious snacks and fruit together. When most of the food was __________, my mother pulled out a large package that she had prepared for our games. We played a game named “Pass the Parcel” and my cousin, Alex, won (an) __________ toy. Then we played other games, which __________ with all of us laughing. After that, we went into the garden to play __________ activities.

By the time everybody left. I was absolutely exhausted. However, I couldn’t stop __________ from ear to ear. As I went to bed, I thought about how __________ it was to have such a birthday. That was one of the most __________ birthdays I ever had. That night, I fell asleep __________ not only by all my birthday presents but also love from my family and friends.

6 . Not everyone can afford a vacation to a tropical paradise or an adventurous destination. For many of us, staycations are what we can afford and they will _________ your health. Instead of focusing on what you aren’t doing, let’s focus on just how _________ staycations can really be.

A staycation is a vacation you take at or _________ your home. For my family, our staycations _________ include staying at home but taking fun day trips to places near us that we don’t _________ during our busy life.

Staycations are great because you don’t have to worry about packing too much. They’re a great way to avoid the _________ that goes along with travel. Since you have _________ to a kitchen stocked with real food, you don’t need to have meals at restaurants. But you can still go out and explore the area in which you live, _________ if you want along the way.

Staying at home may seem a bit _________ to some people, but you can gain more from it! When I __________ from my last couple of vacations, I felt like I needed another vacation! My last staycation, __________, left me feeling relaxed—just like a vacation should.

Staycations also allow you to __________ where you live just a little bit more. You may not visit local museums, parks, or other attractions that you consider to be for tourist. Be a __________ in your own town and see what’s around you to discover!

During your staycation, spend time with the people in your life who are __________ to you. Perhaps there are some friends you don’t get to see very often. A staycation do allow you to __________ with the most meaningful people in your life and that’s always good for you.

7 . “I have no idea what to get you this New Year,” my husband Larry said. I _________ with a knowing smile as the same _________ to me in finding him something. _________ we like remembering each other with gifts on holiday, we had reached the _________ in lives where we didn’t need more things. Actually, we were _________, clearing out and getting rid of unneeded stuff.

Then an online article was _________. It was about schools having to turn away some children from receiving _________ for they had no money to pay. And a thought _________ me. “Let’s each give money to the school for our presents,” I said _________ the article with Larry. “Great idea. It's also a __________ to pay it forward,—to offer our kindness and love,” Larry smiled.

When our children were small, Larry and I were __________, losing sources of income. During the hard time, we __________ to pay any bill. It wasn't easy for us to ask for help, as we’d been brought up on principles of __________. Someone then offered a hand.

Now that we were in much more __________ circumstances, we could give back. I visited our local elementary school, and explained we'd like to help children who couldn’t __________ their lunches. The receptionist looked first __________ and then pleased. She __________ me to the cafeteria to talk with the head there. The lady taking __________ accepted our gift of cash with thanks. “This will make a big __________ to so many children,she said.

__________ there weren't as many presents in our room, but it was one of our best New Years.