高考英語(yǔ)一輪模擬預(yù)測(cè)題組訓(xùn)練專題十完形填空

專題十完形填空基礎(chǔ)闖關(guān)題組題組一記敘文、夾敘夾議Cloze1(2017北京朝陽(yáng)第一學(xué)期期中)TheMacaroonQueenofIndiaPoojaDhingraisanIndianchefandbusinesswoman,theownerofmacaroonbakerychainLe15PatisserieinMumbai.Sheshouldhavebeenalawyer.Butwhilestudying1atuniversityinMumbai,shedecidedto2hermajoranddosomethingmorecreative.

Dhingra’sfatherandherelderbrotherarebothrestaurantowners.Rememberinghelpinghermotherinthe3duringherchildhood,shedecidedtoworkwithfoodinsteadoflegalcases.She4herparentstoletherattendahospitality(飲食)andmanagementcourseinSwitzerland.Threeyearslater,shewenttoParistolearnthe5ofFrenchbaking.Thereherfriendstookhertooneofthebestmacaroonshops.Afterjustone6,DhingradeterminedthatwhenshereturnedtoMumbaishewould7herownshop,thefirstofitskindinIndia.

Aftergraduation,shestartedmakingmacaroonsinherparents’kitchen,8itwasapletefailure.ThehotandwetweatherinMumbaimadeit9tomakedeliciouscakes.Ittookheraroundsixmonthsofresearchand60failed10tofinallygetafavoriterecipe.Yetbeingbothyoungandfemale11shefacedextrachallenges.“Thebiggestproblemwastogetpeopletotakeyou12,”shesays.“Forexample,ifIhadtobuymachinery,Iwouldhavetoaskmyfathertomakethesecallsforme.”

Dhingraeventuallyopenedherfirstshopin2010.To13salesinacitywhereveryfewpeopleknewwhatamacaroonwas,Dhingragaveawaysome14macaroonstocustomers,whichmadehercakespopularimmediately.Shecontinued15newrecipes.“Onceyouknowbasictechniques,inventingrecipesisvery16,”shesaid.“Allyouneedisanopen17.Igetalotofmyideasand18frombasicthingsaroundme.”

Dhingraistheauthorofabestsellingcookerybook,TheBigBookofTreats.Shealsostartedrunningcoursesonhowtomakemacaroonsandothercakes.In2016,Dhingra19herbusiness,openinganewlocationcalledLe15Café.Today,asaprofessionalbaker,Dhingra20uponeofIndia’sfinestpatisseries.

B.law C.history D.medicine B.check C.enjoy D.follow B.basement C.study D.kitchen B.warned C.convinced D.allowed B.situations C.functions D.results B.kick C.breath D.bite B.open C.sell D.name B.or C.but D.for B.unusual C.reasonable D.available B.messages C.programs D.attempts B.meant C.admitted D.explained B.properly C.differently D.peacefully B.report C.promote D.examine B.modern C.famous D.free B.creating C.reading D.protecting B.familiar C.simple D.regular B.reply C.mind D.secret B.authority C.progress D.equipment B.inspected C.acquired D.expanded B.heads C.picks D.bringsCloze2(2017北京海淀第一學(xué)期期中)BacktoSchoolIhadalwayslongedtogetadegree,butraisingafamilyhadefirst.Nowwithmylast1inmiddleschool,Ithought,whynottryto2somethingwhileIstillhadtheopportunity.WhenItoldmyhusbandBobmyidea,abroadsmilelituphisface.“Ifthat’swhatyou3,we’llmakeitwork.”

Whenweaskedthekidsforadvice,theyhadmixed4.Ourdaughter,alreadyincollege,thoughtitagreatideawhileJohn,inhighschool,was5thatwemightbeincollegeatthesametime.James,ouryoungest,wantedtoknowwhowouldtakehimtofootballpractice.I6thatthingswouldbealittledifferent,7ifeveryonecontributed,itwouldn’tbedifficult.

Thenextdaywedrovetothemunitycollegeandafteracarefulresearch,Ichoseto8inoccupationaltherapy(康復(fù)理療).

Dayspassedinexcitement,enrollinginclasses,shoppingfor9andattendingorientation(入學(xué)指導(dǎo)).Ifeltlikeakidagain,butasthefirstdayofclassesdrewnear,Ibecame10.Iwassimplytooold.Peoplewouldlaughatme.Finally,withencouragementfrommyfamilyandfriends,Istuckwithmy11.

AsIenteredmyclassroomthatfirstmorning,Ichoseaseatintheback,hopingto12attention.Fortherestofthatday,IdidwhatIsawtheotherstudentsdo,andgradually,myselfconsciousnessfaded.Ifoundtheclassesandassignments13,andIleftthatdayfeelingImightsurvive.Bytheendofthefirstweek,Ihadmadeafewfriends.

Studyingandkeepingupwithmydutiesathomewas14.NosoonerwouldIbegintostudythanitwastimetodrivethekidstotheiractivities.Mathandsciencewere15mystrongsubjects,soIdevotedmoretimetothose.Whenthefirstsemester16,Ihada4.0GPAandwasplacedontheHonorRoll.

Bythesecondyear,Bobandthekidswerealldoingtheir17,andIhadlearnedhowtofortably18myschoolandhomelife.Myhardworkpaidoff.Iwasawardedascholarshipandgotthebachelor’sdegree.

AsIdroveawayonthelastdayofschool,Ithoughtaboutwhatadifferencereturningto19hadmadeinmylife.IlookedmuchyoungerandIhadmore20andenthusiasmforlife.Ievenbecameatherapist.It’snevertoolatetotryagain.

B.child C.student D.friend B.create C.achieve D.improve B.take C.offer D.want B.impressions C.requests D.choices B.horrified C.grateful D.relieved B.noticed C.explained D.declared B.so C.or D.for B.join C.lead D.major B.clothes C.instruments D.souvenirs B.confident C.anxious D.confused B.decision C.project D.promise B.draw C.receive D.pay B.depressing C.demanding D.interesting B.challenging C.rewarding D.simple B.still C.ever D.never B.started C.ended D.returned B.deeds C.homework D.share B.save C.continue D.value B.society C.school D.hospital B.energy C.money D.chanceCloze3(2017北京海淀第一學(xué)期期末)Iwasthefoolatschool,regardedasaspecialneedsstudent.Iwastermedassuch.Obviously,becauseIwasnotinterestedinschoolanddidnotcareaboutmy1.

Overtime,Istartedtobelieveinmystupidity.I2thefactthatIwasinspecialneedsclassesandpoureditoutasangeranddepression.Butoneactivity3thisviewofmyself:chess.

IstartedtoplaychesswithmyfatherafterschoolsimplybecauseIwantedto4himatsomething.Myfatherwasa5man,fondofphysics,writing,religion...,almostevery6.Hewascalledawalkingdictionary.So,winninginchessagainstmyfatherwouldbea7thatIhadintellectualpower.Onthesmallchessboard,Ihadachanceto8mysocalledinability.

Gameaftergame,Iwantedtobeatmyfatherevenmore.Istartedtostudychessbooksandplayagainstachessputerto9myskills.Oneweekend,Ifinallycheckmated(將殺)myfatheronaferryride,whichmademefeel10.

Twoyearslater,Ibecamethesecondboardonmyschoolchessteam,withourtopboardbeingthebesthighschoolplayerinthestate.Butbeforethetournamentseason,ourtopplayer11toe.Therecamemychancetoplayastopboardagainstthebestplayersinotherstates.

IwasdeterminedtoshowwhoIhadbee:a(n)12personabletowinwithcalculation,logicandwill.Mymost13gamecameinthefinalround.Ourteamwasfacingahighschoolwhichonlyexcellentstudentsattended.Itwas14amatchbetweenaspecialneedsstudentandasmartsoul.Myopponent(對(duì)手)wasplayingwellandkept15whileIkeptdefendingtokeepmykingsafe.Hespentlongtryingtobreakdownmydefenses,butcouldnotfindthefinalpush.I16withmoredefensivemoves,tryingtomakeitasdifficultforhimaspossible.Withlittle17left,hestartedtomakerapidmoves.18hecouldmakethefinaldecision,heranoutoftime.Honestly,ashisclockflagfell,Ijumpedupoutofmyseatandkissedtheflooroutofexcitement.Ofcourseitwasnotthemostsportsmanlike19,butIcouldnotcontrolmyemotions.

Whileholdingmywinner’scup,IknewIwasnot20.Theinferiorityplex(自卑感)hadmeltedaway,andIrealizedthatunderneathourthoughts,eachpersonisagenius.

B.grades C.plans D.benefits B.explained C.accepted D.ignored B.supported C.questioned D.showed Bfort C.beat D.disturb B.strict C.quiet D.strong B.topic C.event D.field B.lesson C.theory D.sign B.expose C.overe D.promote B.sharpen C.choose D.invent B.disappointed C.puzzled D.interested B.managed C.happened D.failed B.lucky C.active D.intelligent B.memorable C.dangerous D.popular B.possibly C.actually D.partly B.smiling C.pausing D.escaping B.quit C.won D.exchanged B.time C.energy D.wisdom B.Until C.Before D.Unless B.thought Cment D.behavior B.stupid C.bright D.lazyCloze4(2017北京西城期末)Itwasthethirdperiodofthedayandtimeforthephysicaleducationclass.Onceoutside,studentsbrokeintoaneasyjogtowardthefielduntil,allofasudden,Marcuscriedout,“Look!Whathappenedtothe1?Itlooksangry.”Thestudentsturnedtoseewhathewaspointingatallatonce:Someonepaintedangryfacesonthewallsofthestadium!

Duringlunch,allofthestudentswerewhisperingwith2aboutthegraffiti(涂鴉).Possibleexplanationsspreadlikewildfire3theschool.

Laterintheafternoon,whenBriancleanedtheblackboard,Marcussuddenly4thepaintonhishands.He5thatitwasBrianwhopaintedthegraffiti,soafterschool,MarcusfollowedBriantohislockerand6onwhathewasdoing.WhenBrianopenedhislocker,Marcussawsmallcansofpaintinthere!Hedecidedto7ittoMr.Johnson.

Thenextmorning,Brianwascalledtotheprincipal’soffice.ThemomentMr.Johnsonasked8aboutthegraffiti,tearsstartedflowingdownBrian’scheeks.Filledwithshame,heexplainedthathelikedtopaint,buthecouldn’tjointhe9clubbecausehehadtogorighthomeafterschooltobabysithislittlebrother.“Idon’tknowwhyIpaintedthosefaces,andnowI’ve10thestadium!”hesobbed.

Mr.Johnsonwasquiteangryatfirst,buthebeganto11asherealizedhowmiserableBrianwas.“Brian,paintinggraffitionschoolwallsisavery12matter.Wehavetocallyourmother,and,ofcourse,youwillhavetocleanand13thewalls.”Mr.Johnsonpaused.“14,Imustsay,thosepaintingsarequitegood.Didyouhaveany15withthem?”

Brianlookedupandsaid,“No,Ididthemmyself.DrawingandpaintingaretheonlythingsthatIcandowell.”Mr.JohnsonlookedatBrianandthoughtforamomentbeforemakinga16.

“Well,”hesaid,“someteacherssuggestedthatwehirealocal17topaintourschoolmascot(吉祥物)onthestadiumwall.Howwouldyoufeelaboutparticipatinginthat?”

“Really?”Brianhesitated,18tobelievewhathejustheard.

“Yes,butthisprojectwillbehardwork,andyou’llbeexpectedtopletethejobontime.Wecanconsideritpartofyour19,”Mr.Johnsonsaid,tryingtohidehis20ashepickedupthephone.

B.classroom C.office D.stadium B.excitement C.fear D.relief B.around C.from D.beyond B.examined C.spotted D.scanned B.suspected C.witnesses D.hoped B.reflected Cmented D.hit7.A.make B.report C.describe D.retell8.A.hesitantly B.patientlyC.directly D.sympathetically9.A.art B.math C.sports D.music10.A.changed B.decorated C.cleaned D.ruined11.A.worry B.soften C.relax D.panic12.A.strange B.urgent C.serious D.unusual13.A.repaint B.hide C.build D.repair14.A.And B.So C.Or D.But15.A.connection B.difficulty C.experience D.help16.A.promise B.choice C.decision D.judgment17.A.reporter B.artist C.designer D.scientist18.A.unable B.unwilling C.unlikely D.unhappy B.talentC.devotion D.punishment B.anger C.smile D.prideCloze5(2017北京石景山期末)Mother’sHandsNightafternight,shecametotuckmein,evenlongaftermychildhoodyears.Followingherlongstandingcustom,she’dleandownandpushmylonghairoutoftheway,then1myforehead.

Idon’tremember2itfirststartedannoyingme.Butitdidannoyme,fortheyfeltroughagainstmy3skin.Finally,onenight,Icriedoutather,“Don’tdothatanymore—yourhandsaretoo4!”Shedidn’tsayanythingin5.Lyingawakelongafterward,my6werealwaysonmymind.Outofmyselfpride,Ididn’ttellherIwas7.Neveragaindidmymothercloseoutmydaywiththat8expressionofherlove.

Theyearshavepassed,andI’mnotalittlegirlanymore.Timeaftertime,mythoughtsreturnedtothat9.BythenImissedmymother’shands,missedhergoodnightkissuponmyforehead.Momisnowinhermidseventies,andthosehandsI10thoughttobesorougharestilldoingthingsformeandmy11.She’sbeenourdoctor,reachingintoamedicinecabinetforthecureformychildren’sillness.She’sbeenour12,makingthebestfriedchickenintheworld.She’sbeenourdessertchef,dishingouticecreamatanyhourofthedayornight.Throughtheyears,mymother’shandshaveputin13hoursofwork.

Now,myownchildrenaregrownandgone.MomnolongerhasDad,andonspecialoccasions,Iwouldwalktonextdoortospendthenightwithher.SoitwasthatlateonThanksgivingEve,asIdriftedintosleepinthebedroomofmyyouth,afamiliarhand14stoleacrossmyfacetobrushthehairfrommyforehead.Thenakiss,eversogently,touchedmybrow.

Inmymemory,forthethousandthtime,I15thenightmysurlyyoungvoice16,“Don’tdothatanymore—yourhandsaretoorough!”CatchingMom’shandinhand,IburstouthowsorryIwasforthatnight.Ithoughtshe’dremember,asIdid.17Momdidn’tknowwhatIwastalkingabout.Shehadforgottenand18longago.

Thatnight,Ifellasleepwithanew19formygentlemotherandhercaringhands.Andthe20Ihadcarriedaroundforsolongwasnowheretobefound.

B.touch C.kiss D.brush2.A.where B.when C.why D.whether3.A.dry B.pale C.clean D.young B.dirty C.cold D.big5.A.time B.peace C.reply D.case B.dreams C.memories D.pictures7.A.excited B.sorry C.upset D.angry8.A.painful B.pleasant C.rich D.familiar9.A.accident B.year C.room D.night10.A.once B.never C.almost D.seldom11.A.parents B.colleagues C.family D.friends12.A.adviser B.teacher C.cook D.conductor B.countless C.unforgettable D.flexible14.A.quickly B.hesitantly C.smoothly D.roughly15.A.replied B.reported C.rewritten D.recalled16.Aplained B.answered C.interrupted D.declared B.But C.So D.And18.A.concerned B.forbidden C.apologized D.forgiven19.A.sympathy B.excitement C.appreciation D.curiosity B.joy C.envy D.angerCloze6Tomlosthisarmsinanaccidentthatcosthisfather’slife.Sincethen,hehadto1onthearmsofhisyoungerbrother.Totakecareofhim,hisyoungerbrotherbecamehis2,neverleavinghimaloneforyears.Exceptforwritingwithhis3,hewaspletelyunabletodoanythinginhislife.

Asthetwobrothersgrewuptogether,theyhadtheirshareofproblemsandtheywouldoftenquarrel.Thenoneday,hisyoungerbrotherwantedtolive4fromTom,livinghisownlife,asmanynormalpeopledid.SoTomwas5anddidn’tknowwhattodo.

Asimilarmisfortune6agirl,too.Onenighthermother,whosufferedfrommentalillness,7.Soherfatherwentoutlookingforhermother,8thegirlaloneathome.Shetriedtopreparemealsforherparents,onlytooverturnthekerosenelamp(煤油燈)onthestove,9inafirewhichtookherhandsaway.

Thoughhereldersisterwhowasstudyinginanothercity,showedher10totakecareofher,shewasdeterminedtobepletely11.Atschool,shealwaysstudiedhard.Mostofallshelearnedtobeselfreliant.Onceshewrotethefollowinginherposition:“Iamlucky.ThoughIlostmy12,Istillhavelegs.Iamlucky.Thoughmywingsarebroken,myheartcanstill13.”

Oneday,theboyandthegirlboth14onaTVshow.Theboytoldthehostabouthisuncertainfutureatbeingleftonhisownwhilethegirlwasfullof15forherlife.Theybothwereaskedtowritesomethingonapieceofpaperwiththeirtoes.

Theboywrote:Myyoungerbrother’sarmsaremyarms,16thegirlwrote:Brokenwings,Flyingheart.Theyhadbothenduredthe17,buttheirdifferent18determinedthenatureoftheirlives.Itistruethatlifeisunpredictable.Disasterscanstrikeatanytime.Howyouhandlemisfortunewhen19withitisthetruetestofyourcharacter.Ifyoudecidetobe20,thehardshipwillturnouttobeafortuneonwhichnewhopewillarise.

B.depend C.fix D.take B.example C.sample D.leader B.hands C.toes D.fists B.happilyC.equally D.separately B.encouragedC.inspired D.warmhearted B.possessed C.struck D.showed B.workedC.declined D.disappeared B.allowingC.suggesting D.begging B.takingC.resulting Ding B.strengthC.talent D.willingness B.independentC.perfect D.helpful B.feet C.eyes D.ears B.hold C.develop D.survive B.appearedC.played D.directed B.doubt C.regret D.enthusiasm B.unless C.while D.though B.failureC.misfortune D.success B.attitudesC.conditions D.advantages B.shared C.kept D.faced B.curiousC.valuable D.practicaCloze7SpeakingUpIneverlookedupwhenmyfriendsweretalkingandjokingabouttheretarded(弱智的)boyafewtablesaway.Itdidn’tevencrossmymindthathemightfeel1whenpeoplewhisperedabouthim.SoIjustletthemtalk.

ThencamethedaywhenIlearnedmylittlebrotherMartin’stestforautism(自閉癥)cameoutpositive(陽(yáng)性結(jié)果).Ihadneverthoughtabouthimlikethat.Ibroke2,crying.Everythinghadjustchanged.Hewasnolongera(n)3littleboy.

Overtime,Iwasabletoaccepthis4alittlemore.Wehadto5becauseMartinneededtreatment.SoMartinandIbothstartedatanewschool.Oneday,Iwasstandinginthebuslinewaitingwhena“short”bus(fortheretarded)cameand6upsomekids.Thechildrenintheotherlinestartedmaking7abouttheretardedonthatbusandIhada8feelinginmyheart.Isaidquietlythatthosementsweren’tverynice,9noonelistened.

Myfamilymovedagain.InthenewschoolIgota10tospeakupprettysoon.Thatday,inamusicclass,myteacher11ourplayingtomakesomements,“Guys,we’replayinglikethekidsontheshortbus!eon!”

Theentireroomwaslaughingloudly.Ifeltvery12.Then,Iraisedmyhand.Iwasn’tsurewhatIwasgoingtosaybutIwantedtobeheard.

Thewholeclass13down.Mymouthopenedandthiscameout,“Idon’tthinkweshouldmakefunoftheshortbus,becausetherearepeopleonthatbuswhohavealotinmonwithusandhavethesamefeelingsaswedo.”Icouldfeelmy14gettinglouder.“SoIwould15itifyoudidn’tmakefunofthem.”

Theroomwasveryquietandeveryonestaredatme.Myteacher16forhiswordsandthenstartedthesongagain.Attheendoftheclass,everyonewasgivingmestrangelooks.ButIdidn’t17,becauseIknewthreethings:Ihadspokenthe18,Ihadtaughteveryonesomething,andwhileeveryoneintheclassroomwasbeingafollower,Ihad19totakeadifferentpathsinceIwantedtobeea20andarolemodel.

1.A.amazed B.hurtC.uncertain D.cold2.A.off B.in C.down D.away3.A.normal B.noisyC.outstandingD.impressive4.A.pain B.interestC.opinion D.illness5.A.change B.move C.quit D.study6.A.set B.tookC.brought D.picked7.A.jokes BplaintsC.choices D.discoveries8.A.violent B.strangeC.confusing D.clear9.A.because B.ifC.but D.so10.A.chance B.positionC.topic D.point11.A.encouraged B.botheredC.enjoyed D.stopped12.A.bad B.embarrassedC.tense D.guilty13.A.sat B.slowed C.quieted D.looked14.A.pace B.voiceC.pulse D.breath15.A.excuse B.appreciateC.stand D.permit16.A.apologized B.foughtC.allowed D.argued17.A.understand B.noticeC.return D.care18.A.wisdom B.importanceC.matter D.truth B.decidedC.agreed D.hoped20.A.reporter B.thinkerC.leader D.trainerCloze8ADeedaDayItwasabusydayasusual.Iwasmakingsandwichesandbalancingthephonebetweenmyshoulderandchin.Thewashingmachinesoundedasmyhusbandwalkedinwithourdaughters.Wehadonlyabouttwentyminutestoeat1wehadtotakethegirlstotheirnextactivity.Myhusbandseemedabit2thatdinnerwasnotonthetable.

Thatnight,Ihadaheavy3,thinkingwewerebeingtaskmastersonanassemblyline(流水線).Wehadbeetoo4inourowntasksandnotveryconsideratetowardsthosearoundus.Weneededtodosomethingtobringbacksomemeaningintoourlives.Itneededtobesomethingthatwould5ourownagendasandenergizeustowardthemongood.

Iboughtanotebook,namedit“OurDeedDiary”andheldafamilymeeting.ItoldmyfamilyIwantedusalltothinkaboutdoinga6forotherseveryday.Itcouldbeforeachotherorforpeopleoutsideour7.Andweallneededtowriteitdowninthenotebook.

Ithoughtonedeedadaywastooeasy.However,itwasactually8thanitseemedbecauseithadtobesomething9whatwehadalreadydone.Sendingbirthdaycardstopeoplewealreadysentcardstoeveryyearwouldnot10.

Wehadarough11.Onsomedays,someonewouldforgetto12agooddeed,whileonotherdays,wewouldforgettowriteourgooddeedsinthediary.Afterafewweeksthough,Ifoundmyselfwakingupinthemorningtryingto13whatgooddeedIcoulddoforsomeonethatday.Mydaughtersbegantorushtomeafterschoolto14methegooddeedtheyhaddone.

Now,afterayear,Iamhappytosaythatitismakinga(n)15inourlives.Insteadofalways16whatthedaywillbringforus,wethinkaboutwhatwecandoforsomeoneelse.

Whowouldhavethoughtthattryingtodoasimplekindnessadaywouldbeso17?Ifeelmydaughtershavefeltinnerjoythatyoucanonly18bygivinghelptosomeoneelsefromyourheart.Thebestthingisthatyoufeelsogreataboutdoingsomethingforsomeoneelse;youdon’tevenlookfororexpectanythingin19.So,whensomeonedoesreturnthefavor,itisanenormousandpositive20.

B.unlessC.before D.while B.puzzledC.embarrassedD.frightened B.stomachC.foot D.heart B.interestedC.confident D.successful5.A.repeat B.relateC.refocus D.recall B.taskC.job D.copy B.homeC.school D.town B.sweeterC.harder D.bigger B.fromC.about D.between B.countC.last D.happen B.lifeC.start D.idea B.checkC.record D.do B.decideC.remember D.explain14.A.bring B.teachC.offer D.tell B.choiceC.difference D.fortune B.believingC.knowing D.wondering B.movingC.surprising D.rewarding B.imagineC.predict D.exchange B.returnC.time D.order B.bonusC.attitude D.contributionCloze9Mike’sNewBikeMikelookedatthemiddaysky.Hehadbeenworkingsincesunriseandwastakinga1.

Mikehadbeenworkingallsummertoearnenoughmoneyforanew2.Hisancient,beatenupbikewasatotalembarrassment.Buthismomsaidtheycouldn’t3anewone.EventhoughMikeknewshewas4,heshoutedbackatheringreatdisappointment,“Younever5meanything!”

Heonlyneededfiftymoredollars.Mr.Painterhad6himfortydollarstodiganewdrainageditch(排水溝),andhewantedtostopthe7inhisrosegarden.Mr.Painterwantedthenewditchtorunparalleltotheoldone,butMikedidn’tthinkthatwouldbe8inheavyrains.Sohesuggestedanotherplanto9therainwaterawayfromthehouse.

MikenoticedMr.Painter10himfrombehindacurtain.HeknewMr.Painterwasanoldgrouch(愛抱怨的人);hewouldtakeawaythatlittlebreakfromhispay.11hereturnedtohiswork,Mikewaved.Mr.Painteracknowledgedthewaveanddisappeared.

Mikeworked12untilmidafternoonwithoutarest.ThenMr.Paintercameout13aninspection.“Whydon’tyoustopfortodayandgetafresh14tomorrow?”

“I’dratherfinishup,”repliedMike.“It’ssupposedto15tonight,andI’dliketohaveitworkedbeforethenextstorm.”

Aboutsixthirty,Mike16thelastpipeinplace.Ashewasreturningthetoolstothegarage,Mr.Paintercameoutofthehouseand17up,“Mike,you’reanenthusiasticyoungman.Youdon’tseemanyyoungpeoplethesedayswho18abouttheirwork.”HehandedMikeanenvelopeandleft.

WhenMikeopenedtheenvelope,hefoundthreetwentydollarbills.Heranto19Mr.Painterandstartedtohandonebacktohim.Mr.Painterdeclinedtheoffer,“Takeitas20forkeepinganoldmanfromtrouble.”Andthenhewenttoinspecthisroses.

B.holiday