阅读下面短文,掌握大意,然后从 A、B、C、D 四个选项中选出一个最佳选项。The past summer, Elaine had spent long hours working in the McMurdo research station. Her job was to look after the fire extinguishers (灭火器) and fire alarms. But on her days off, Elaine loved to explore (探索) ice and caves outside the 1 .
With winter coming, she'd go back home soon. Elaine wanted to do one more thing—to see a penguin closely before 2 the research station. She had heard stories about how people 3 penguins and got close to them.
One night after dinner, someone said there was a penguin alone on the far side of the station. Hearing that, Elaine was 4 and rushed out, hoping to get a closer look. The day was sunny, but Elaine knew the 5 could change in a moment. A sudden storm could drop the temperature by 50℃ in just a few minutes. Elaine didn't think about the 6 . All she could think of was the penguin.
Walking on the ice alone, Elaine realized how 7 she was because she didn't even bring her warm hat or emergency radio. Suddenly, a strong wind knocked her off her feet. Then she saw something blue, the colour of danger? It came from a big 8 below her. She was lying on the thin ice. Nobody would ever find her 9 she broke through and fell into the hole.
With the wind gone, Elaine felt someone near. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was an emperor penguin! The penguin stood watching 10 . Seeing Elaine move, the bird walked away, then stopped and looked back. It seemed to be inviting her to 11 . As Elaine thought about 12 she could deal with the situation, she heard the ice breaking. She decided to trust (信任) this bird. She spread (展开) her arms on the ice like wings, keeping her body flat, and 13 towards the penguin. Ahead, the penguin led the way. Elaine went after the penguin's path slowly. After a long time, with one last pull of her arms, Elaine stood on the ice 14 .
Her penguin guide would join her group for the long winter ahead. Thanks to that bird's 15 , Elaine would head home with a story that she'd never forget.