An artist went to a beautiful part of the country for a holiday, and stayed with a farmer. Every day he 1 out with his paints (绘画颜料) and his brushes and 2 from morning to evening, and when it 3 dark, he went back to the farm and had a good 4 before he went to bed.

    At the end of his holiday he wanted to5 the farmer, but the farmer said, "No, I do not want money, but 6 me one of your pictures. Because in a week the money will all be used up, but your painting will still be here."

    The artist was very 7 and thanked the farmer for 8 such kind things about his paintings.

    The farmer smiled and answered, "It's not that. I have a son in London. He wants to 9 an artist. When he comes here next month, I will 10 him your picture, and then he will not want to be an artist any more, I think."

    Irene sat quietly by the window and sighed, "Where are you, Fluffy? Please 1 soon."

    Her mother came in, sat beside her and stroked (轻抚) her head, "Don't worry, Irene, we'll find her." Irene hugged her mother and cried.

    Fluffy was Irene's pet dog. When she came home from school, Fluffy would be the first one to 2 her. After finishing all that needed to be done, Irene and Fluffy would play a 3 of catch. Fluffy knew when Irene was too 4 to play, and she would sit 5 on her knees and let Irene stroke her. Irene felt that Fluffy was the only one who 6 her. So Irene loved her with all her heart.

    Then one day, 7 terrible happened. Irene came home and found Fluffy was gone. Her mother had no 8 where Fluffy was. Irene searched and called but Fluffy was still not around. Her father went out and looked for Fluffy. However, he came home empty-handed. That night, Irene 9 sleep at all. She thought she would 10 see Fluffy.

    The next morning, as soon as she walked into the living room, she saw Fluffy sitting on the sofa. What a surprise! Irene ran forward and hugged her.

项中，选择最佳选项。

Building Our Community

    "Mom, I hope Steve can take me to the park next weekend, "I said.

    "Sorry, Lucy, "Mom said, "your brother is volunteering next weekend to help 1 a house for a family."

    I remembered Steve's eyes had lit up when he first told me about the community home-building project. He was good at building and fixing things, so he was 2 to do something. Now that he was seventeen, he was finally old enough to take part in it.

    "It's not 3 ," I complained. "Steve can change a family's life, but what can I do? I'm only ten."

    Mom put on her serious look." Don't think about it like that, Lucy, "she said, "people make a 4 by thinking about what they can do, rather than what they can't do."

    Mom's words echoed in my head later that day. Maybe she was right. I might not be able to physically build a house, but I could  5 money to help.

    The next day before class, I talked to my teacher, Mr. Brown, about my idea. "Well, we can brainstorm about it, "he said, "I bet your classmates will have some good ideas. 6 will be the best way to make this happen."

    After I explained my idea in class, Brason raised his hand." My uncle owns a T-shirt shop. Maybe he can print some T-shirts that we can 7 .

    "Great idea!" Mr. Brown said. Then, after a lively discussion, we decided on" Building Our Community" as our slogan(口号)to print. Marla, our class artist, agreed to draw the design.

       By Friday, the T-shirts had been printed, and I had posted details about the sale on our class Web page. Our Saturday sale was a success. We earned ＄125. After the sale, we went to the community center. I 8 handed over the money.

    Mom and Mr. Brown had both been right. Everyone can do something, and together we can achieve something great.