2 . I have had no interest in football for as long as I can remember. While my classmates played, I _________ to stay in the library. I never _________ the passion for the game and would throw away the sports section of the newspaper, as if it _________ the rest of it. As I grew up, I proudly wore my _________ .

But occasionally, whether in a taxi or when meeting a friend's father, I found myself faced with a _________ opener like, “Terrible season we’re having, eh?” or simply, “Who do you support?” My heart sank, knowing my response would unavoidably _________ them, despite their good intentions.

I realized that my _________ had closed off many conversations, outings, and even potential friendships I might have _________ enjoyed. Although I couldn't change the fact that I found football boring, I began to regret being a(n) _________ .

Then I became a father. I didn’t want my boy to __________ this valuable social experience, so I took him to watch the Lions play. During those matches, we sat close to the field, surrounded by families who had a genuine __________ with the players. My kid’s questions kept me somewhat __________ in the game. Slowly, I started to__________ for the Lions.

During one victorious match, we even met David, the Captain, who happily __________ for a photo with my son. __________, I had an answer to the question,“Who do you support?”

3 . I used to be worried about what I should buy my dad for Father’s Day. I’d _________ countless stores for something that my dad would like. But I never had _________. That was years ago when I was _________ and thought every holiday was about _________.

Those years it was usually months after Father’s Day that my dad _________ a gift because he always told me he never “_________” anything. So I stopped getting him things and, _________, started taking him out to movies, to restaurants or to shows, which brought him much laughter.

We should _________ spending time with our fathers doing something they’ll _________. If he is fond of fishing, go fishing with him. Anything you can do to spend time with your father is better than anything you can __________ in a box and put a bow on, unless of course, you put yourself in a box, pop out and hand him tickets to a show or a game.

If, however, your mind is still set on getting a(n) __________ gift as well, then replace that thing that needs to be __________. That’s probably what I’m going to do next year for my father. Sorry, Dad, but this really will be the last summer your lawn mower can __________. If your dad is anything like mine, he’ll __________ until whatever needs to be replaced is __________ broken. And by that I mean it’s there-is-no-possible-way-it-can-be-fixed broken. So __________ it for him.

Many people may no longer have a(n) __________ with their dad. So for those who are lucky like me, it’s a __________ to take our dads for granted. The times we can laugh sure __________ the times we can’t. Now, do something with your dad to make him happy. __________ the materialistic gifts. Bring on the laughs.

4 . I’m an online columnist. A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my life, ending up receiving some _________ reviews on a regular basis. I have become _________ used to being criticized like that. In the following days, I was also surprised when more lovely words _________ in. They told me that my running adventures had _________ them to go out to work out. Yet more _________ me for giving tips on the mental health issues they had also experienced. I have been so touched by all these people.

As an online columnist for ages, I have constantly encountered _________ readers. A lady was _________ about my daughter when she was hospitalized and a gentleman offered to _________ me for my training when I was badly off. There was also a couple who sent me a jar of home-made marmalade when they read about my _________, in the hope of cheering me up. As I thought about __________ of these kind people, I wondered why our brains are programmed to focus on the bad things __________ all the lovely ones.

At that moment, I’ve realized we don’t have the luxury of negativity. Our life is too short to be __________ by it. To stop engaging in it, the key is our __________ to be dragged down by it. In that spirit, I’ve __________ that from now on, I’m only going to focus on the positive. I’ll keep a file on my cellphone containing all __________ for me, and look at them when times get tough.

8 . That day was Nancy’s 30th birthday and she was alone at home. She was standing by the living room window, with her eyes filled with _________. She was sure her sister would _________ her like she always did.

Looking out from the window, Nancy _________ her journey. All these years, she took up different _________, from a factory worker, a waitress to a hotel clerk. Her only goal was to _________ Kate, her younger sister. To her relief, Kate was a(n) _________ student, always doing well at school. For Nancy, Kate _________ much to her. She was her dream and happiness.

As lost in thought, Nancy was _________ by footsteps approaching her room. Her eyes lit up right away. She rushed to the door and sniffed (嗅) the air to catch the _________ smell of the chocolate cake. However, unlike usual, Kate arrived, __________ this time. No cake; no beautiful gift box. Nancy’s __________ disappeared. Kate gave Nancy a big hug and said, “Happy birthday!” “Thank you,” Nancy just replied __________. And then Kate took an envelope from her pocket and said, “Here is your birthday gift.” Looking at Kate questioningly, Nancy __________ it. Inside was a(n) __________ letter. Kate continued, “I signed you up for the community college with the money I earned through part-time work. I want you to __________ from where you left.”

Nancy hugged Kate tightly, crying with joy. She finally got the best ever birthday gift.

9 . In a huge building after a long day work, I found myself standing next to a young man with a nice _________ . His smile was so warm that we began a chat. The chat _________ what we had in common: We all came to New York from different countries. I come from Germany while he comes from South America.

We exchanged _________ about the difficulties of starting a new life in a new country. I talked to him, “I’ve been searching for an apartment within walking distance from my _________. And what I want is to rent one with a _________ view of Central Park! Maybe I’m just _________. I can’t afford to _________ a room like that myself and I haven’t found a roommate to _________ the expense.” The young man wrote a number down on a piece of _________. “Her name’s Sally and she is a good girl,” he said. “You’ll like her, and she needs a roommate.”

I called her right away. Later, she __________ my best roommate. Sally told me that she and the young man were not __________ at all and they just met once.

“Maybe he knows of you before because you are __________ in that big company for your hardworking __________,” I told Sally. Hearing that, Sally was so happy. Even though you are a small potato in your life, you can still win your __________ by working hard or doing something__________ to others.

Aron Ralston will forever be known as the guy who cut his handoff to escape an accident that left him stuck between two huge rocks.

Ralston was_________in Blue John Canyon in Utah alone. As he came down a canyon, a rock became loose and_________his hand. No one knew he was there, and he only had a little bit of water and a little bit of food. It was up to him to_________himself. He decided to self-amputate (截肢) in order to save himself after_________for three days. But after two days of trying_________methods, he nearly gave up.

That is until an idea came to him on day six: he could_________apart of his own arm. After an hour of work with a cheap multitool (多刃刀具), he made a successful_________and had to get back to his vehicle, going down a 65-footwall with one hand.

He was _________discovered by a European family on a_________out, and six hours after his self-amputation, he was rescued by authorities. He was found just in time: Ralston was on the brink (边缘) of__________from blood loss. He survives today, still taking outdoor expeditions and climbing__________when not giving speeches or having movies made about his incredible __________

Born on Oct. 27, 1975, Ralston grew up in Ohio before his family__________to Colorado in 1987. After working for several years, he decided that working in a company wasn’t__________for him and quit this job to__________more time to mountaineering.