1 . My dad loved everything about Northern Soul music. He _________ in England in the 1960s when the music was popular. He had a _________ childhood there. I believe this music _________ him through hard times in his life.

At the age of 57, he was diagnosed (诊断) with cancer. When he was _________ from the cancer, he also turned to his music. The music made him _________ and he wanted to dance. One of the songs I knew he _________ was “Because Of You” by Jackie Wilson. He _________ told me why he liked it, but after listening to the _________ of the song, I believed it was for my mother, who _________ him. But my mom insisted they saved each other.

The song ________   me of the time when my dad and I were sitting in his living room after he was diagnosed with cancer and he told me this was his favorite song. I __________ it down in my note section of my phone because I knew it was __________ to remember it. We ended up __________ it at his memorial service. It also reminds me of how my mom and dad __________. My dad was only 23 and was trying to find his way in __________. My mom was 22 and was also trying to find her way. They helped each other over 40 years.

Sara was always fascinated by art. From a young age, she would spend hours painting, lost in her colorful world. However, growing up in a small town, opportunities to learn and grow as an artist were limited. Her art teacher, Mrs Thompson, saw great potential in Sara and believed she could achieve something extraordinary. Mrs Thompson was more than just a teacher; she was a guide, teacher, and friend to Sara. She recognized Sara’s talent and dedication to art and decided to help her reach new heights. She arranged extra classes, provided art supplies, and even introduced Sara to local artists.

As the town’s art fair was approaching, Mrs Thompson encouraged Sara to submit her work. Sara was hesitant at first, doubting her abilities. But Mrs Thompson’s faith in her was firm. They worked together, choosing the best pieces, creating new works, and preparing for the fair. The weeks leading up to the fair were filled with excitement, hard work, and some anxiety. Sara put in long hours, and Mrs Thompson was always there, offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. Slowly, Sara’s confidence grew.

The town’s art fair was a significant event, drawing artists and art enthusiasts from nearby areas. It was a chance for Sara to showcase her talent to a broader audience and possibly open doors to new opportunities.

Finally, the day arrived, and Sara’s art was displayed. People were drawn to her unique style and emotional depth. The local newspaper even covered her story, highlighting the young artist’s journey and her dedicated teacher’s role. The experience was transformative for Sara, not only as an artist but as a person. She had faced her fears, embraced her passion, and taken a significant step toward her dreams, all with her teacher’s unselfish support.

The art fair was a turning point for Sara.

After the art fair, Sara continued to grow as an artist.

Many highly successful figures had     1    (previous) faced great challenges before they make achievements. Take for example J.K Rowling and J.D. Salinger, both of     2     received rejections from several publishers. Despite these failures, they refused to give up. Instead, they still concentrated     3    their works and do    4    they can to realize their dreams. Eventually, their books, Harry Porter and The Catcher in the Rye,     5     (regard) as global successes. Another example is Helen Keller, who was an American writer, lecturer and social activist. Aged 19 months old, she lost her hearing and sight. But with the help of her teacher, she overcame her disabilities and went on     6    (earn) a bachelor degree.

Through their lives, a conclusion can be drawn: Although talent, hard work and luck all play     7     important part in their success,     8    (persevere) is the key.     9    (inspire) by their stories, we may get some hints. Don’t complain about the setbacks    10    (harm) you, just keep walking and you will eventually make your dream come true.

On Oct. 4. 2021, James and his friend Raphael were squeezing in a lunchtime workout on Pier (码头) 15 overlooking the East River, when James froze. “Somebody’s in the water,” he shouted. Before Raphael could respond. James climbed over the rail at the edge of the pier and leaped into the cold, polluted water without taking the time to remove his shoes.

What James had heard was an alarmed fisherman shouting from Pier 16. nearly 50 yards away, “Help! He’s in the water!” And what he’d seen was a person floating, lifeless.

Raphael didn’t need to see the victim. “Maybe the fisherman saw someone in the water who needs our help.” he thought. “Or maybe it’s the fisherman who needs my help. Either way, I’m going in.” He yanked off his shoes and swan-dived.

Approaching the unconscious victim, James saw that it was a middle-aged man. He was big, around 200 pounds, respectably dressed and sinking fast. He was 3 feet below the surface by the time James reached him. James dove, felt around, grasped the man and kicked upward until they both resurfaced. Raphael was there now. Treading(踩，踏) water, the two friends floated the man on his back. As Raphael looped his arms around the man’s shoulders and James supported the hips and knees, they made their way back to Pier 15, exhausted.

They might have been hauling a corpse (尸体). The man’s skin was blue, and neither Raphael nor James detected any breathing. When at last they reached Pier 15, they faced a new uncertainty.

How to get out? The pier’s decking stood an unreachable 10 feet above their heads. A metal beam was covered by sharp barnacles. If Raphael, shoeless, attempted to climb onto it, he’d hurt his bare feet.

Suddenly the man breathed again, stirred and clobbered (狠揍) confusedly Raphael in the face before fading back to near unconsciousness.

“Did we do something wrong?” Raphael asked himself.

At the moment, on the pier, the crowd had gathered from somewhere.

9 . My aunt Mantha loved Christmas. She always went out of her way to make it _________ and cosy for everyone around her. December 2022 was no _________. Mantha drove three hours to visit everyone two weeks before the 25th and to drop off _________ to her friends. We chatted about our plans, _________ and kissed goodbye when it was time to _________.

So when on December 18. Mantha's son called us sadly to tell us Mantha had passed away _________ at home, none of us could quite believe it. So close to Christmas, none of us felt like _________. That was until my sister-in-law, Vera told us about some _________ of hers in the office who were from China had just arrived in the UK.

We knew we couldn't leave them to spend the day by themselves, especially after we heard how _________ they were to experience a proper English Christmas. More importantly, we knew Mantha would have wanted us to throw open our doors and give them a Christmas to __________.

When the day finally came, we __________ them into the house with open arms and tried to __________ our pain so we could give them the full Christmas __________.

It didn't __________ the pain of Mantha's absence but connecting with strangers and __________ our culture helped us get through the day and turned out to be the very thing we all needed.

10 . In a busy city, there lived an old bookseller named Mr. Finch. His tiny shop, hidden amid towering skyscrapers, was a _________ destination for book lovers. Mr. Finch was known for his warm smile and the _________ he could tell from his cherished books.

One summer afternoon, a young girl named Lily _________ his shop. She had a worn notebook in hand, filled with _________ and ideas. With _________ in her eyes, she asked, “Can you help me write a story?”

Mr. Finch nodded and _________ her to sit. They began with a blank page, and as they _________, the world around them faded away. They _________ a tale of an enchanted (被施魔法的) forest, where trees whispered secrets and animals sang lullabies. Hours turned into minutes, and before Lily _________ it, the story had come to life. She thanked Mr. Finch, __________ to return.

Years passed, and one day, Lily; now a __________ author, returned to Mr. Finch’s __________. She handed him her latest book, dedicated to the old bookseller who had __________ her passion for storytelling. Mr. Finch’s eyes welled with tears as he read the dedication. He realized that in helping Lily find her voice, he had also __________ his own purpose. From that day forward, he wrote stories that filled his little shop with magic.

And so, in a hidden comer of the city, among the towering buildings, Mr. Finch and Lily __________ that the power of a story could change lives, inspire dreams, and make even the smallest of places feel extraordinary.