The annual marathon in my town usually took place in summer. My job was to 21 behind the runners in an ambulance 22 any of them needed medical attention. The driver and I were in an air-conditioned ambulance behind nearly one hundred athletes 23 to hear the sharp crack of the starting gun.
“We’re supposed to stay behind the 24 runner, so take it slowly ,” I said to the driver , Doug , as we began to creep forward .
“Let’s just hope all the runners are fast!” he laughed.
As they began to pace themselves, the front runners started to 25 . It was then that my 26 were drawn to the woman in blue silk running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.
“Doug, look!”
We knew we were already watching our “last runner”. Her feet were turned in, but her left knee was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to be able to walk , let alone run a marathon .
Doug and I watched in 27 as she slowly moved forward. We didn’t say a thing. We would move forward a little bit, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we’d slowly move forward a little bit more.
Finally, she was the 28 runner left in sight. Tears streamed down my face as I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with amazement and even respect as she 29 forward with strong determination through the last miles.
When the 30 line came into sight, rubbishes lay everywhere and the cheering crowds had already gone home. 31 , a man waited proudly there. He was 32 one end of a ribbon (带子) tied to a post. 33 slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the ribbon fluttering behind her.
I do not know this woman’s name, but that day she became a part of my life –a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about 34 the other runners or winning a competition, it was about finishing what she had set out to do, no matter 35 . When I think things are too difficult or too time-consuming, I think of the last runner. Then I realize how easy the task before me really is.
1.
A．interview B．watch C．follow D．fall
2.
A．when B．since C．because D．in case
3.
A．searching B．sitting C．wishing D．waiting
4.
A．slow B．last C．wounded D．helpless
5.
A．run B．miss C．disappear D．lose
6.
A．attention B．mind C．eyes D．sight
7.
A．happiness B．silence C．disappointment D．hope
8.
A．single B．only C．last D．careful
9.
A．pushed B．fought C．pulled D．jumped
10.
A．close B．end C．match D．finish
11.
A．Yet B．But C．Thus D．Therefore
12.
A．catching B．handing C．holding D．bringing
13.
A．He B．She C．I D．They
14.
A．winning B．competing C．beating D．fighting
15.
A．what B．where C．when D．why
——Shall I give you a ride as you live so far away?
——Thank you. _________.
A. If you like B. Of course you can
C. It couldn’t be better D. It’s up to you.
I am determined to get a seat for the concert ________ it means standing in a queue all night.
A. now that B. even if C. as if D. so that
Mary felt quite ______ from the outside world, because she couldn’t get access to the Internet and couldn’t receive any e-mail.
A. cut down B. cut in C. cut out D. cut off
The manager told me with great ______ that he couldn’t offer me the job.
A. regret B. sadness C. kindness D. patience
Dr. Green, as well as his wife and children, ______ visit Beijing this winter.
A. was going to B. were going to C. is going to D. are going to
