A Lucky Pen

＂Mommy,I've got something for you!"George ran through the door after school one day.He waved something above his head."See,it's a lucky pen!"26  I looked at the pen in my hand.There was nothing special about it.But I didn't realize how special it was at that moment.I had made the decision to pursue a career in writing.27  I had dreamed about it for a long time but I was afraid to take a chance.I was scared of rejection.

The night before,I had voiced those fears to my husband when I thought George wasn't listening.But George must have overheard us.Now he stood in front of me,watching me

examine the pen."You don't have to be scared now,"he said."This pen will make your stories great and everyone will love you."Tears filled my eyes.28   Rejection didn't

seem like such a big deal any more.Even if I never sold the first story,I had everything I could ever need.George in my life!

I found out later how lucky I was when I heard what he did to get the pen.During lunch break at school that day,George heard a boy talking about a lucky pen he had.29  The

boy was a tough negotiator but George didn't give up.In the end,he traded his lunch,his favorite cartoon book,and his new football,his most prized possession for that pen.Just to make me feel better. 30   It never fails to remind me just how lucky I am!I am the luckiest mother in the world now and forever.

A.He got it as a birthday gift.

B.It was a decision full of fear and anxiety for me.

C.He wanted to get it for me.

D.He handed me the pen happily and proudly.

E.I grabbed him and pulled him tight against me.

F.I still have that pen,though it's long out of ink.

Young Readers,Tomorrow's Leaders?

A new study has good news for kids with strong reading skills.Such kids will have high intelligence as they get 31 .They will have a bright future.

The study included 1,890 twins who did reading tests at 32 7 and 12,and an intelligence test at 16.The twins had the same genes(基因）and home environment.Therefore,the 33  between them had to be due to factors that they did not 34  .For example,one had a better teacher than the other.Some kids did better on the reading 35  than their twin brother or sister.They 36  did better on the intelligence test.The reading skills

37  to enhanced intelligence were evident by age 7.This shows that reading skills can38   a child's intellectual development.

The study also helps to 39   the differences among kids in the same family.They share genes,40  conditions and parents.But they can be different in intelligence.

A.also

B.differences

C.only

D.explain

E.tests

F.affect

G.ages

H.living

I.share

J.older

K.related

L.interested

ome ancient people hung garlic outside their doors to_

• A、frighten bad spirits

• B、decorate their houses

• C、keep away insects

• D、show their wishes