In ancient China lived an artist    1     paintings were almost lifelike. The artist’s reputation had made him proud. One day the emperor wanted to get his portrait (画像) done so he called all great artists to come and present their     2     (fine) work, so that he could choose the best. The artist was sure he would    3    (choose), but when he presented his masterpiece to the emperor’s chief minister, the old man laughed. The wise old man told him to travel to the Li River～perhaps he could learn a little from the greatest artist in the world.

Filled with     4     (curious), the artist packed his bags and left.     5     he asked the villagers on the banks of the river where he could find the legendary (传奇的) artist, they smiled and     6     (point) down the river. The next morning he hired a boat and set out     7     (find) the well-known painter. As the small boat moved,     8     (gentle) along the river he was left speechless by the mountains being silently reflected in the water. He passed milky white waterfalls and mountains in many shades of blue. And when he saw the mists rising from the river and the soft clouds    9     (surround) the mountain tops, he was reduced to tears. The artist was finally humbled (谦卑) by the greatest artist     10     earth, Mother Nature.

An old story is told of a king who had a close friend. The friend had a habit of commenting on situations even terrible     1    (thing) happening in his life, “This is good!”

One day the king and his friend were hunting. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had     2    (obvious) done something wrong in preparing the gun, for after     3    (take) the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation, the friend     4    (argue) as usual, “This is good!” The king replied, “No, this is not good!” and sent his friend to prison.

About a year later, the king was hunting when cannibals (食人者) captured him     5     took him to their village. They tied     6    (he) hands, stacked (堆积) some wood, set up a stake (桩) and bound him to the stake. As they came near     7    (set) fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. They never ate anyone that was not whole. So they sent him on his way.

Returning home, he remembered the event that had taken his thumb. He went immediately to the prison to speak     8    his friend, “You were right,” he said, “it was good that my thumb was gone.” He told the friend everything     9     had happened. “Sorry for sending you to prison for so long.”

His friend just gave a     10    (nature) reply, “This is good!” “What do you mean? How could it be good that I sent you to prison for a year?” “If I had not been in prison, I would have been with you.”

My husband, our children and I     1     (spend) wonderful camping experiences over the past ten years.

Some of our     2     (memory) are funny, especially from the early years     3     our children were little. Once, we camped along Chalk Creek. I was worried that our 15-month-old boy would fall into the creek (小溪). I tied a rope around his waist to keep him near to our spot. That lasted about ten minutes. He was uncomfortable, and his crying let the whole campground know it. So instead of     4     (tie) him up, I just kept a close eye on him. It worked—he didn’t end up in the creek. My three-year-old, however, did.

Another time, we rented     5     boat in a Lake. The sky was clear when we headed off,     6     storms move in fast in the mountains, and this one quickly interrupted our     7     (peace) morning trip. The wind picked up and thunder rolled. My husband stopped fishing     8     (start) the motor. Nothing. He tried again. No luck. We were stuck in the middle of the lake with a dead motor. As we all sat there     9     (helpless), a fisherman pulled up,     10     (throw) us a rope and towed (拖) us back. We were safe.

Now, every year when my husband pulls our camper out of the garage, we are filled with a sense of excitement, wondering what camping fun and adventure we will experience next.

4 . The pickle(泡菜）jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser (梳妆台）in my parents’ bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss(投掷）his coins into the jar laid beside the dresser. He seemed to be accustomed     1     doing such a thing.

When he took the coins to the bank, he often said, “These are for my son's college fund. Never will he work at the mill all his life like me at all. If he     2     (work) like me in the future, he might not have a bright future. ”

Inspired by my father, I worked very hard and step by step 1 improved my grades . To be admitted to a good university was my real     3     (motivate) . My parents and friends all said congratulations to me when my dream came true. When I ran     4     of money at college, my parents would send some to me in time. Once, while     5     (visit) my parents, I noticed that the pickle jar in my parents’ bedroom was gone.     6     (instant) a lump(肿块）rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My father thought it very important for me     7     (receive )a good high education.

The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. Looking after our daughter took up a lot of time but they had affection for our daughter. Visiting them often could     8     (strength) our relationship with them.

“Look,” my wife said softly. There stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already     9     (cover) with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins.

With the strong emotion choking me, I did drop the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw Dad who was carrying Jessica. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions as I felt.     10     it not been for his support and encouragement, I might not have a satisfying job now.