1 . It all began innocently—I rushed to the local market for a few items, deciding not to use a cart (推车). As I approached the checkout area with my hands full, it was clear that the _________ service management had momentarily checked out. Three cashiers faced long lines, and chaos _________ with shoppers and carts full of groceries.

Like most, I surveyed the checkout lines, _________ choosing what seemed the fastest. However, my choice turned out to be the slowest, and _________ spread through the line. A middle-aged man murmured, setting off a chain reaction of complaints about the slow pace. The negativity _________, with one person declaring they would never shop there again.

_________ by the negativity, I turned my attention to the stressed cashier. The crowd’s displeasure didn’t _________ her work; instead, her stress increased, leading to mistakes and the need for a supervisor (主管). As my turn approached, I _________ the cashier’s discomfort, trembling and sweating despite the cold store.

In a(an) _________ tone, I said, “Some days are quite the adventure, aren’t they?” The cashier, relieved to see a_ __________ face, met my eyes and smiled. I encouraged her, saying impatience affects everyone, and I was in no rush.

Then came a(an) __________ lesson, a gift I never imagined. By sharing it, I hope to ________ others. The cashier thanked me for my patience, revealing she was a new employee still in training. We shared a laugh, and in that moment, strangers became friends.

Leaving the store, I felt __________ for the experience, unlike the dissatisfied shoppers. This incident taught that in the journey of love and understanding, mistakes happen, and patience is a __________ learning process. We are all, and always will be, in training when it comes to __________.

2 . When I left my job as a psychologist and went on a round-the-world trip, I was hoping to become a different version of myself. But I was soon ______. Away from the familiar life, I felt lonely and miserable despite visiting ______ beautiful places. And somehow, in the quick ______ for the trip, I’d forgotten that the thing you don’t choose to bring, but can’t ______ , is yourself.

However, as the weeks went on, something started to ______. It was during a stay on an island in Thailand, when a woman I’d encountered previously approached me and asked if I was ______ to join them for dinner that evening. I ______. At the meal she told us six women that it was her birthday and, as she was travelling alone, she’d decided to celebrate by ______ a group of women she’d enjoyed meeting during the week. While listening to their stories, I felt genuinely ______ by the honesty of these ______ , and was surprised, too, by the ______ with which I felt able to share things about myself.

At the end of the evening, we ______. Till now, none of us have seen each other again. I don’t remember their names, but I do remember the magic of that ______. For all of us, the anonymity (匿名) was liberating; we had no ______ past or future and, as a consequence, we could talk freely without any ______.

3 . Triplets (三胞胎) Sierra, Kassidy, and Haley have faced a range of challenges throughout their lives. At just three months old, they _________ their mother, and their father was missing too, leaving them in the _________ of their grandmother, who didn’t prioritize education. _________, they didn’t attend school until they were eight.

The triplets’ lives took another _________ turn when their house was on fire early one morning. This _________ led them to move in with their grandparents on their mother’s side. There they faced further neglect, _________ adequate food, clothing, and other essentials.

Despite these _________, the sisters showed incredible resilience and determination. They _________ jobs, including babysitting and working at Albertson’s grocery store, to support themselves. Their daily _________ was a tiring cycle of walking to school, then to work, and back home, often late at night.

Remarkably, all three girls maintained a 4.0 grade point average, __________ them full scholarships to the University of Las Vegas. Their __________ achievements are a testament to their perseverance and dedication, despite the overwhelming odds they faced.

The community recognized their efforts and __________ them with additional support on their graduation day. Each sister received a car, a year’s worth of free car insurance and gas, and $5,000 for books and other __________.

Throughout their journey, the triplets maintained a(n) __________ outlook, which they believe was crucial in __________ their challenges.

8 . A two-year-old girl in Newberry County had last been seen at about 3: 00 p. m., but she was missing later in the day. The situation took a _________ turn around 6: 00 p. m. when a hunter in the area heard the cries of the missing child. Reacting immediately, the hunter _________ an emergency call telling authorities the child’s location.

The operators _________ immediately, applying advanced mapping technology to locate the position. This crucial information was then _________ sent to a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division(SLED)and the county’s first _________.

With the location data in hand, a search team was quickly _________ to the wooded area. The tireless efforts of these rescue workers ultimately _________ a heartwarming reunion. The missing two-year-old was found in the forest, safe and sound except some slight injuries. Despite her _______ experience, she was found to be in surprisingly good _______, except her understandable tiredness, thirst and fear.

The ________ rescue was the result of the _______ between different departments and the community as a whole. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office expressed their ______ for the efforts of everyone involved, including citizens, and those ______ their thoughts and prayers during the search. And they showed their relief at the _______ of the little girl in the care of family. Their heroic actions will be ______ as a heartwarming success story in Newberry County for years to come.

9 . Chad and I spent about 15 years celebrating our anniversary the old-fashioned way. He’d give me _________, I’d give him a card and we’d go out for dinner. _________ we both enjoyed our child-free time together, I finally _________ that I didn’t even like red roses, and his card ended up in the garbage can.

So we_________ a new tradition called the Every Other Year Anniversary. We alternate years planning a _________for each other. A celebration of a marriage should be _________, and we intended to make it so.

I was perfectly _________ to go first, planning a weekend getaway to Hiawassee. I chose all the activities—it was _________ for Chad to think of anything. As for Chad, the _________ added to his excitement. And, he didn’t have to call the flower shop at the last minute to __________ flowers.

The next year was my turn to be surprised. Chad, though traditionally not a romantic person, __________ successfully, planning a weekend in Nashville. We went on a comedy bus tour that made us__________a lot; we visited the Grand Ole Opry and downtown Nashville. Chad __________ endured (忍受) some shopping just because he knew I would like it. We ate at a very excellent restaurant and __________ each other’s company more than ever. For once, I didn’t have to make any decisions. I could __________ Chad had put a lot of thought into where we went and what we did.

We agreed at this point that the new __________ would be topping (超越) each other the following year. __________, we manage to do it every time. Of course, some years have been better prepared than others, __________on finances or the children’s schedules.

We have now been __________ for more than 20 years. The Every Other Year Anniversary has made our marriage loving, complete and, __________, fun! I can’t wait to see what’s in store next year.