Music to My Ears
Robby was 10 for his first piano lesson in my class. Much as he tried, he ____ even the basic rhythm. However, he dutifully reviewed the pieces that I required.
Over the months he tried and tried while I ____ and encouraged him. At the end of each lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play some day." ____ it seemed hopeless.
I only knew his mother from a ____as she waited in her aged car to pick him up. Then one day Robby stopped coming. I was secretly ____ that he stopped because of his lack of ability.
Weeks later I informed the students, including Robby, of the coming recital（独奏）. To my ____, Robby asked me if he could be included. I told him he really did not qualify because he had ____ out. He said his mom had been sick and unable to take him to lessons but he was still ____ .
“I've just got to play!" he ____. Something inside me let me allow him to.
Then came the recital night. The gym was ____ with parents. I put Robby up ____, thinking that I could save his poor performance through my “curtain closer（谢幕）.”
The recital went off smoothly. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair was ____. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?" I thought.
Robby pulled out the piano bench and began. I was not ____ for what I heard next. His fingers were ____ on the keys. Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people of his age. After he ended, everyone was ____ their feet in wild applause.
In ____ I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby. "I've never heard you play like that, Robby! How did you ____ it?"
Robby explained, "Well, Miss Hondorf…remember I told you my mom was sick? …____ she had cancer and passed away yesterday. She was born deaf, so tonight she could hear me play in heaven. I wanted to make it special."
There wasn’t a ____ eye in the house. That night I felt he was the teacher and I was the pupil, for it was he who taught me the meaning of perseverance and ____.
1.A. lacked B. had C. showed D. got
2.A. listened B. learned C. checked D. played
3.A. And B. But C. So D. Or
4.A. conversation B. performance C. distance D. picture
5.A. guilty B. sad C. anxious D. glad
6.A. relief B. surprise C. pleasure D. satisfaction
7.A. stepped B. worn C. run D. dropped
8.A. acting B. performing C. practicing D. recording
9.A. insisted B. suggested C. complained D. threatened
10.A. lined B. packed C. piled D. filled
11.A. least B. most C. first D. last
12.A. messy B. cool C. neat D. dull
13.A. eager B. concerned C. prepared D. grateful
14.A. hesitating B. dancing C. touching D. crawling
15.A. over B. under C. in D. on
16.A. chaos B. tears C. silence D. return
17.A. find B. feel C. make D. like
18.A. Gradually B. Suddenly C. Frequently D. Actually
19.A. dry B. curious C. bright D. wet
20.A. regret B. talent C. love D. courage
With all my attention _______ my homework, I didn’t even notice my father standing by me.
A. to fix on B. fixed on
C. fixing on D. to be fixed on
___ he _____ me the news yesterday, I would be at the party now.
A. Should, tell B. Did, tell
C. Had, told D. Were, to tell
— She suggested the number of cars should be limited to stop air pollution.
—_______, the idea is not very practical.
A. Sounds good as it B. As it sounds good
C. As good it sounds D. Good as it sounds
—Is there any particular soup you would like to have?
—_______ you select is all right with me.
A. Whatever B. Anything
C. No matter what D. Whichever
With the aim of getting high marks, most Chinese students were ________ lacking creativity.
A. picked up B. taken up
C. brought up D. built up
