A Meaningful Gift
Emily was an eighth grader. To pass her Civics course（公民课程）, she had to do some volunteer service in a nursing home for a week.
One Monday, Emily went to the nursing home after school. When she arrived, she was told she would 31 an hour every weekday with an elderly lady, Mrs. Blair. She was then led into a room, where an old lady in a flowery dress was sitting on a sofa.
Emily 32 awkwardly（别扭地）in front of the lady. She cleared her throat and said, “Good afternoon.I’m Emily.”
“Good afternoon, Emily. Take a seat, please.” Mrs. Blair replied.
Then, 33 filled the space between them. Emily wondered what to say.
“Tell me about yourself, Emily,” Mrs. Blair said suddenly.
“Well,” Emily started, “I don’t have any grandparents, so I can’t relate to elderly people much. I love the performing arts. I’m here mainly because I have to 34 here to get a good grade for my Civics class.”Mrs. Blair didn’t seem to 35 . “Many people, especially teens, don’t seem to care about old people like me. Now you are here, and I’m going to change that about you. Ask me anything.”
Emily thought for a moment, and finally decided, “What was your job?”
“I was a Broadway star in the 1950s.” Mrs. Blair answered.
“Cool! Can you tell me about it?” Emily asked, amazed.
Mrs. Blair smiled. “Back then, only the lead actress had the honor to wear a 36 bracelet. I was the lead in almost all of the plays, so I always wore the bracelet. Till this day, I still have it.”
Emily smiled along with Mrs. Blair and listened to the other stories, attentively. She had become so interested in Mrs. Blair’s 37 that she decided to come earlier the next day.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday passed by quickly. Then came Friday. As she was leaving, Emily was really 38 to say goodbye.
“Don’t be sad. You can still visit me,” Mrs. Blair comforted her. She then handed a small box to Emily,“It’s my gift to you.”
Emily 39 opened the box and was surprised to see what was inside. “It’s the bracelet that you wore. Thank you!” Emily said, with tears in her eyes. “I’m sure to visit you whenever I’m free.”
On the way home, Emily thought of her own love for the performing arts. She touched the bracelet and made a 40 that she would keep her word to Mrs. Blair.
31.A. waste B. spend C. plan D. exercise
32. A. asked B. sat C. stood D. danced
33. A. warmth B. sadness C. happiness D. silence
34.A. study B. live C. volunteer D. play
35. A. mind B. fear C. insist D. regret
36. A. strange B. special C. common D. private
37. A. dreams B. hobbies C. stories D. jokes
38. A. upset B. confused C. surprised D. nervous
39. A. proudly B. secretly C. worriedly D. carefully
40. A. promise B. change C. judgment D. choice
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