Monty was the son of a horse trainer. When he was in his ninth grade, he was asked to write a 1 about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.

That night he wrote a seven-page paper saying that someday he'd 2 a horse ranch (牧场). He wrote about his dream in great detail and he 3 drew a picture of a 200-acre ranch with all the buildings.

 He put a great deal of his 4 into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red “F”5 a note that read, “See me after class.”

The boy went to see the teacher after class and asked, “Why did I receive an ‘F'?”

The teacher said, “This is an unrealistic (不现实的) dream for a young boy like you. Your family is not rich. Having a horse ranch needs a lot of 6 . You have to buy the land. You have to pay for other things. There is no7 you could ever do it.” Then the teacher added, “8 you rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I'll reconsider your grade.”

 The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, “Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. But I think it is a very important 9for you.”

Finally, after thinking about it for several days, the boy handed in the same paper, making10 changes at all. He said to the teacher, “You can keep the ‘F'and I'll keep my dream.”

根据短文理解，从A、B、C、D四个选项中选择最佳答案填空。

    Alison cornered me in the kitchen. “Daddy, I really want a rat.”

    "Again?” I saw the ugly grey things with round eyes and long tails in my mind. She wanted one of those in our 1?

    “No, Daddy, a pet rat kept at home."

    This topic was around in our family for about one year. This time, Alison told 2 seriously how she would take care of the rat herself, how she would learn to be 3 by doing so. I wanted to say “no” as usual, 4 it was not the right response for this situation. I suggested that Alison should 5 me that she would be responsible by researching some basic questions we had about   6 : How much do they cost? What care do they need?

    I thought the answers she found 7 change her mind. Alison searched for information and made many notes. She learned 8the best cage for rats is and what types of food they can (and can't) eat. She learned that two rats are 9 than one — they like staying together.

    Alison proved herself with her efforts, so I 10 finally. If she continued to do so, caring for the rats and preparing food for them, she would learn the responsibility we always wanted her to have.    

    We 11 several pet stores, asking for baby rats. One store told us it just received some that would be ready on sale in a week. Alison was so 12 — her dream would come true soon.   

    On Sunday afternoon, I drove Alison there. I must say, 13 seeing the rats, I found they were much cuter. Alison 14 picked out two little ones with her soft little hands. She cradled the cage with them, 15. We went back to our car, and huge smile was still on her face.

    “I can't believe I have them after a year of begging!"

    “It wasn't your begging,” I told her. “You showed me you were responsible so I wanted to reward that.”

    Long ago, in a small village of Wakefield lived two farmers, Harry and Peter. Harry was very bard working, while Peter was 1. Every day Harry got up early and came home late, but Peter walked around for fun.

    One summer there was no rain and the crops  2. Harry thought, "I must do something to save these crops, or they shall die." With this thought in mind, he went out to find a 3 so that he could dig a canal(沟渠) to his field. He walked on and on, feeling tired and thirsty. After a 4 search, he found a river full of blue water He was very happy. He started 5 a canal to his field. When it was noon, his wife sent their daughter to bring Harry home 6 lunch. But Harry did not go. He did not want to leave his work 7. He completed his work deep at night. He was very satisfied. He went home, had a good meal and 8 into sleep.

    Peter did the same. But he was not at all determined(有决心的). He also started digging a 9 to his field but he didn't have his work finished. His field did not get 10 water and all his crops died.

    Harry's field would be watered when needed. He had a good harvest because of his hard work.   

    My parents were in a huge argument, and I was really upset about it. I didn't know who I should talk with about how I was feeling. So I asked Mom to allow me to stay the night at my best friend's house. Though I knew I wouldn't tell her about my parents' situation, I was looking forward to 1. I was in the middle of packing up my things when suddenly the power went out in the neighborhood. Mom came to tell me that I should stay with my grandpa until the power came back on. I was really 2 because I felt that we did not have much to talk about. But I knew he would be frightened alone in the dark. I went to his room and told him that I'd stay with him until the power was restored. He was quite happy and said, “3.”

    “For what?” I asked.

    “To hold a private meeting, just you and I,” he said, “To hold a private meeting about what we're going to do with your mom and dad, and what we're going to do with ourselves 4we're in the situation we are in.”

    “But we can't do anything about it, Grandpa,” I said, surprised that here was someone with whom I could share my feelings and someone who was in the same “boat” as I was.

    And that's how the most unbelievable 5 in this family started. Sitting there in the dark, we talked about our feelings and fears of life. That night, because the power went out, I found a new friend, with whom I could6talk about all my fears and pains, whatever they may be.

    Suddenly, the lights all came back on. “Well,” he said, “I guess that means you'll want to go now. I really like our talk. I hope the power will go out every few nights!”

    I planned to go on a vacation with my family. The idea had come me as I1 to a talk on my car radio.

    The speaker said, 'Love is an act of will. A person can choose to love."2myself, I had to say that I spent little time with 3wife Mary. Well, for two weeks that would change.

    After the long drive, I wanted to sit and read. Mary suggested a walk on the beach. I started to refuse, 4 then I thought, 'Mary's been alone here with kid all week and now she wants to be alone with me." We walked

    On the beach5 the children flew their kites.

    Relaxed and 6, that is how the whole 7 passed. I made a new decision to keep on remembering to choose love.

    There was 8 wrong with my experiment. However, Mary and I still 9 about it today. On the last night, Mary looked at me with the 10 expression.

    'What's 11 matter?" I asked her.

    'Tom," she said in a voice 12 with sadness, 'do you know something 13 I don't?"

    'What do you mean?"

    'Our doctor…did he tell you something about me? Tom, you've been so good to me…am I dying?"

    It took a moment for it all to sink in. Then I couldn't help laughing 14 .

    'No, honey," I said, holding he in my arms. You're not dying; I 15 to live."

    I like 1. Every Sunday I get up 2 and go to a 3 by bike three kilometers away from my home. This morning, my wife 4 to go with me. We go by car and then walk to the 5. We begin to fish.6 two hours I catch nothing. "Why don't you let me 7?" my wife asks. "All right." I 8. She 9 six big fish in half an hour. "I 10 go home first and I will cook them for lunch. You can 11 the bus home," she says. I stay by the river 12 catch only an old shoe. I 13 a little angry with myself.14 is the fish man in the family? My wife 15 I?