Once there was an old farmer, with a horse which was almost as old as himself. He_______one morning with his young son, _______the horse before it died. Father and son walked, _______the farmer did not want the horse to be_______.

They met two men on the road_______said: “Why are you walking, farmer? You have a horse. It's_______to market.” The farmer knew that this was_______, so he rode on the horse, _______his son walked.

Then they met two old ladies. “_______are you doing up there, farmer? Can't you________how tired your boy is?” ________the farmer got down, and his son rode________.

________, three old men stopped them. One said: “Why are you walking, farmer?________. It's too hot for an old man like you to walk today.” So the farmer got up________his son, and they________. ________, a young woman passed them. “Why aren't you walking?” she asked. “It isn't________to market. Give your poor old horse a rest.”

So the farmer, and his son, got down________.

It is a fact that you cannot please________the people all the time.

【小题15】

A．behind

B．after

C．beside

D．above

Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change.

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and _________ us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I rose to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I’m 87 years old. Can I give you a _________?” I laughed and _________ responded “Why not!”

“Why are you in college at such a(n) _________, innocent age?” I asked. She _________ replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get _________, and have a couple of kids…” “No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have _________ her to be taking on this challenge at her age. “I always _________ having a college education and now I’m getting one!” she told me. After class we walked to the student union building and _________ a chocolate milkshake. We became __________ friends. Every day for the next three months, we would __________ together after class and talk __________. I was always listening to this “time machine” as she shared her __________ and experience with me. Over the __________ of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she __________ made friends wherever she went.

At the year’s end Rose finished the college __________ she had begun all those years ago. One week after __________ Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute (致敬) to the wonderful woman who taught __________ that it’s never too __________ to be all you can possibly be. When you finish reading this, please remember, growing older is mandatory (强制性的). Growing up is __________.

When I was tidying out my drawers, I happened on a few diaries that I’d kept long before. The writing showed a youthful or rather _________ hand. I took up one to have a look.

“Today the teacher _________ the report card telling the results of the term examinations. To my surprise,I was ranked No.5, the first time I’ve failed to achieve No. 1. I was so sad that I _________ bitterly. I must punish myself, for it is the greatest failure I’ve suffered in my life.”

At this I couldn’t help smiling. I could _________ remember what the actual situation was like. For years since then, I’ve suffered lots of failures, any one of which is much _________ than it.

Then I _________ to a new page.“I was very annoyed today. Why Mum should have done so? Isn’t she my mum? In a few days I’ll have college entrance examinations. I’ll _________ admission(录取) to universities far from home. When I go, I’ll never come home again.” This _________ shocked me. I tried my best to recall (回忆) what my mother had done. But _________ hard I tried, I still failed to call it to mind.

I glanced over several pages and the titles showed what was written as “very painful” or “most unforgettable” things are __________ important, or even laughable now.

Then I picked up a new one. “To the one I love most: Your love will __________ me all my life. My love for you will never change.” I recalled someone—a vague(模糊的) image appearing before my eyes—my deskmate. I used to__________ him as the whole of my life. But now, all I know is that his love doesn’t keep me company and my love has changed.

Now I’ve realized that nothing in the world is __________ And you’ll find the easiest to change is none __________ you yourself, and what stays unchanged is only the childish __________ for nice things.