Once, in a small village, lived a family with two children, James and Jack. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} of them loved painting very much, but the family was so {#blank#}2{#/blank#} that it was impossible to send both of them to study at the art college at the same time. After many discussions, the two boys finally worked {#blank#}3{#/blank#} a plan. They would throw a coin. The loser would go to work in the mines（矿井） to support his brother's studies at the college. Then, when the brother at college {#blank#}4{#/blank#} his studies after four years, he would support the other brother's college studies.

    James {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, and so Jack went down into the mines. James worked with all his heart, and his paintings were soon much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} than those of most of his teachers. By the time he graduated, he was beginning to make a lot of money from his paintings.

    When James returned, the family held a big dinner to {#blank#}7{#/blank#} his great success. Soon after {#blank#}8{#/blank#} dinner began, James stood up from his seat to drink a toast to his dear brother. He said, "Jack, now you can go to the art college and your dream will come true. I will take care of you."

{#blank#}9{#/blank#} Jack said softly, "Brother, the four years in the mines has done too much to my hands, so it's too late. Now I can't even hold a glass."

James was heart-broken. One hour {#blank#}10{#/blank#}, he drew a simple picture of his brother's hands. This drawing is today known as the famous picture named The Praying Hands.

Xiao Xiao has a big family. It's her tenth birthday today. She is at school now. Her family want to have a birthday party for her. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Look! Her grandparents are making a big birthday cake for her now. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} There are some strawberries on it. What's her father doing? He is shopping in the supermarket. He wants to buy some food for the party. Where is Xiao Xiao's mother? {#blank#}3{#/blank#} She is cooking now. She wants to make a big dinner for the family. What is Xiao Xiao's brother doing? He is cleaning the floor. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Xiao Xiao usually gets home at 5:00 p. m. The party must be a big surprise for Xiao Xiao. 

How will Xiaoxiao feel on his birthday？{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

"Let's go home," Liam said to his little sister, Flora, after their art class one Saturday morning. We' re late for 1 ."

 The night before, it had snowed hard. They had difficulty walking to their cozy home on Adelaide Street, passing through an empty building site. Suddenly, Liam heard a loud thud(砰的一声). He 2 only to see that Flora was gone. His sister had fallen into a deep hole. "Help!" she cried.

 Liam looked around, but no one was in sight.

"Climb up the sides!" Liam 3 . His sister tried climbing up the hole, but failed. Then, he saw a huge tree nearby. He found the 4 tree branch and broke it off. He showed it to Flora."Get hold of the tree branch!" Liam pleaded.

 She 5 the branch, but it wasn't close enough, "I can't reach it!" she responded.

 Liam saw a store in the distance and decided to get 6 . It was far, so he needed7 to mark(标记) his way.

 He went through his backpack and 8 some paint cans from his art class. I could use those paints to mark my way, Liam thought.

 Liam walked difficultly to the store with many red marks behind him. He looked 9 the window. The lights were off, and there was nothing on all the shelves. A Closed sign was on the door. Feeling upset, he walked back to Flora 10 .

 Suddenly, he had a wonderful 11 . He used his scarf, jacket, and hat to make a long rope(绳子). Liam 12 the rope into the hole and leaned down(俯下身), so Flora could catch it.

 Liam leaned down 13 Flora caught the rope. He then 14 pulled her up. Liam smiled.

 They hugged and after walking for what felt like forever, their cozy red 15 was finally in sight..