At the midnight, thunder was crashing and the rain was pouring. Suddenly my father rushed into my room. “Adam! Adam! Get up! We're flooding!” he shouted and shook me by the shoulders. That woke me up! I ran downstairs to the basement (地下室). It was like a swimming pool. My mother and I immediately started to pick up things and take them upstairs. I had no shoes on, so my feet felt quite cold.

Things got worse every minute. Within the next hour, we had moved everything that we could to the first floor. The computer, big-screen television and heavy boxes filled with our most valuable things were taken to safety. However, our piano, sofa, washing machine and water heater were all still down there — being destroyed. There was nothing we could do.

That was the hardest part. Knowing that your home is being destroyed is bad enough, but realizing that you can't do anything to stop it feels even worse. Water had come in our front door. Rescue boats were floating in our streets. Mother told me to pack an overnight（通宵, 前夜） bag of clothes and valuables and get ready to leave.

When it was finally safe to walk outside, all the people in the neighborhood gathered at the street corner. People became friends, and friends became like family. People comforted each other. We learnt later that the National Weather Service had declared (宣布) the storm a flash flood.

I really have learnt something from this flood, I've learnt what destruction is. I have learnt what safety means. I know in the future, when I watch people's lives affected (影响) by natural disasters, I can understand them. I will show my great pity on them and I will do what I can to help them.

阅读下面短文，从短文后所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出能填入相应空白处的最佳选项。

    One cold evening in winter, I asked my dear mother, “Mum, what were you like when you were at my age?” She looked up, 1at my question.

    After a long time, she answered, “Polly, why did you ask me that? Well, you see, I was not so lucky as you. In our times, there was only one 2for girls－being a hard-working woman. To tell you the truth, I 3 my mother, your grandmother, when I was growing up. I did so much for her, but not once did she ever said, 'thank you'.”

    And then, Mother went on, “I had always wanted to hear a word of 4 from her, but I got only the family rules and wishes I could never manage. During those years, she 5 me to get up at six every morning and cook breakfast. She often 6 me with other girls, who were as 7 as me, and found my mistakes.”

     “Nothing was ever 8 enough for my mother,” continued my mother, “but now I know she did 9 me, even if she never said so. Polly, like your grandmother, I love all my children, and you are everything to me. I have been very strict and hard on you, but I am raising you in the only 10 I knew.”

    One morning there was a loud knock at Dean Swift's door. The servant(佣人)opened it. A man who was outside handed her a fine duck and said, "Here's a present for Dean. It's from Mr Boyle." Then, without another word, he walked away.

    Mr. Boyle was a sporty neighbour. He liked reading Dean Swift's books and sending him presents. The second time, the man brought a quail(鹌鹑). "Here's something else for Dean," he said and threw it into the servant's arms.

    "That man has no manners," the servant told Dean.

    "The next time he comes," said Dean, "let me know."

    It was not long before the man came with another present. Dean went to the door.

    "Here's a rabbit from Mr. Boyle, "said the man.

    "See here, "said Dean." That is not the way to deliver a message here. Just walk inside and make believe(假装)that you were Dean Swift. I will show you."

    "I'll agree to that, "said the man, and he walked inside. Dean took the rabbit and knocked gently at the door.

    The door was opened by the man. Dean said, "If you please, sir, Mr Boyle wishes you to accept this fine rabbit."

    "Oh, thank you, "said the man very politely. Then, taking out his wallet, he offered Dean some money." And here is something for your trouble."

    The lesson in manners was not forgotten. After that, the man was very polite when he brought presents. And Dean also took the hint(暗示).He always remembered to give the man a tip for his trouble.