A Brave Maid

                      A wooden vase from the Ming Dynasty at the entrance of thereception hall {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(amaze)everyone. The artists designed it in a rare style and selected {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(value) jewels to decorate it. Peoplethought highly {#blank#}3{#/blank#} its fancy colour of honey and the beautiful {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (paint ) on it.

The vase used to belong to a former castle. But when the countrywas at war, the enemy troops exploded the castle. Debates on how the vasesurvived went on and on. In order {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (remove) people's doubt, a team of no lessthan 20 people carried out{#blank#}6{#/blank#}informalinvestigation. The evidences they found {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(show) a maid took the vase apart andasked a sailor to sink it in a local well.{#blank#}8{#/blank#}never gave away the secret even underthe cruel trial of the enemies {#blank#}9{#/blank#}werein search of treasures.

It is worth {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(give)this brave maid a fortune in return.

    I was once asked to deliver a speech titled “A Real Test in My Life” before the whole class! You can imagine how {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (terrible) shy I was with so many eyes fixed upon me. I had no choice but {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(prepare) for it, though. First of all, I was to write the speech,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}was just a piece of cake for me, a good writer. But the hardest part {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (lie) in my oral presentation from my memory— for to read from the paper was not allowed. The real moment began when I stood in the classroom with my legs {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(tremble) and my mind blank. But my listeners were waiting patiently without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found myself back, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (deliver) my speech with difficulty. After{#blank#}7{#/blank#}seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience satisfied — I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before an audience disappeared. Actually with my{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(confident) building up, I now turn out to be a great speaker. Looking back, I know the greatest difficulty on our way{#blank#}9{#/blank#} success is our fear. Overcome it and we {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(achieve)our goals.

    The party began shortly after nine. Mr. Wood, who lived in the flat below, sighed to himself as he heard {#blank#}1{#/blank#} （excite） voices and the noisy music. Luckily, he had brought some work home from the office, with {#blank#}2{#/blank#} he kept himself busy for a couple of hours, thus managing to pay no attention{#blank#}3{#/blank#}the noise overhead. But by eleven o'clock he felt tired and was ready to go to bed though from his {#blank#}4{#/blank#}（early） experience he knew it was no use{#blank#}5{#/blank#}（try） to get to sleep. He undressed and{#blank#}6{#/blank#}（lie） for a while in bed, trying to read, but he found himself reading the same page over and over again. He then turned off {#blank#}7{#/blank#} light and buried his head in the pillow. But even so he could not shut off the noise. Finally, after{#blank#}8{#/blank#} seemed hours, his patience was gone.

    He jumped out of bed, put on some clothing, marched firmly up the stairs, and walked into his neighbor's apartment. The owner of the apartment came across the room and, {#blank#}9{#/blank#}Mr. Wood could say anything, cried, "My dear fellow, come and join us. I know our parties would trouble you. I meant to send you an invitation." Mr. Wood's anger disappeared then and there. He said, "I'd better go and get changed." Minutes later, he returned,{#blank#}10{#/blank#}（proper） dressed, only to find that the party was nearly over.