Mary likesto run. Ever since she was in the third grade, she has been training to runlong distances. Now that she was in her eighth grade, her parents agreed to lether run in the Banana Classic. The Banana Classic is a ten-kilometre race. Ittakes place every year in Mattydale. The winners get a lifetime supply (提供) of peanuts and fruit juice.

    Marypractised by running ten kilometres, twice every day. On the average (平时的) run, she would finish inthirty minutes. Last year's winner finished the race in twenty-six minutes andten seconds!

    On the dayof the race, Mary ran faster than she ever had in the past. As she came acrossthe last kilometre, she was in the fourth place. She picked up the pace (步伐) and quickly reached the secondplace, just as she could see the finishing line. She ran as fast as she couldin a mad dash (冲刺) to the finish line, but she justwasn't fast enough to get ahead of the leader.

It was nearly dark. The sun was dropping down the mountains. Little Tom came back home {#blank#}1{#/blank#} his head down, looking really sad.

"What's the matter, Tom? How was your trip?" his mother asked with {#blank#}2{#/blank#} big smile. "I failed, Mom. Although the mountain was so high and filled with {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(stone) on the way, I still went ahead. But I felt too tired {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(climb) to the top of the mountain and it was so late that I had to come back, " Tom {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(cry) loudly. "It doesn't matter, you are only 14 years old after all. You {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(have) another chance if you keep on trying," his mother said. "But I am looking forward to{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(stand) at the top of the mountain for a long time!" Tom said.

His father came over and asked, "Did you see the green trees on {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(you) way to the mountain?"

"Sure," Tom replied. "Did you feel the beauty of nature, my dear?" his father asked.

"Of course." Tom answered. "Did you notice other people on the way?" his father asked. "Yes! A little girl followed her mother {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(happy)!" Tom answered. "That's enough!" his father smiled and said, "Please remember, my boy.{#blank#}10{#/blank#} you didn't reach the top of the mountain, in fact, you have got a lot on the way already." Tom finally smiled with satisfaction.

(LeiLei and Han Lu are talking in the English corner.)

Han Lu: Hi, Lei Lei. You look excited. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Lei Lei: Yes. We will have an International Summer Camp.

Han Lu: Really? It's cool.

Lei Lei: Guess what? We will work for the camp.

Han Lu: Wow, wonderful! {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Lei Lei: We can introduce something special about our hometown.

Han Lu: That's easy Changbai Mountain and the Songhua River are my favorites.

Lei Lei: I have different ideas. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Han Lu: Haha! Very funny. I know you will say that.

Lei Lei: Don't forget Changchun is also an ice and snow city.

Han Lu: {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Winter sports in Jilin are famous around the world.

Lei Lei: That's for sure. I hope we can tell the foreign friends more about our hometown.

Han Lu: {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Lei Lei: Oh! It's time for class. Let's go.

Han Lu: OK.

A. Me, too.

B. You're right.

C. What can we do then?

D. Is there any good news?

E. What's your favorite food?

F. My favorites are tieguodun and guobaorou.

难度系数：★★★

"Cindy…Soloist (独唱者)." I couldn't believe it—on the cover of the program was my name rather than Renee's! 

Renee and I had been classmates since kindergarten. She was always 1 I was and she was always ahead of me. The school plays? Renee would have the 2 . Softball? She played first base (垒) while I watched her from my 3 in the outfield. 

Trying out for the choir (合唱团) concert was a 4 process for me. As we were waiting for Ms. Jenkins's call into the choir room. my heart 5 . My whole body began shaking when my name was called. Then I saw Renee's smile and her 6 relaxed me. 

A week later, Ms. Jenkins announced the result. I was certain that Renee's name would be on the 7 while mine wouldn't. But finally, Ms. Jenkins looked at me and said, "Cindy, you will have to start practicing with me. The solos need more8 ."

"Solo? I got the solo?" I 9 this. But Renee just gave me the thumbs up sign. 

The big day came. The choir walked onto the stage (舞台) and I was front and center. The spotlight 10 me in its bright light, but I froze right there. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I couldn't sing. The note started up and then 11 in my throat. 

"You can do it, Cindy!" Renee whispered behind. I took a deep breath and sang out. All that came out was an unpleasant 12 But in that same moment, came the pure tone of the right note. My voice 13 and matched Renee's. When the next note came, it was all me. 

The rest of the solo went 14 . And when the concert was over, there came a burst of loud applause (掌声). Renee was the first to 15 me. 

"Thanks, Renee!"

Renee smiled, "That's what friends are for!"

"Friends?" I smiled, beginning to love the feeling of being her friend.