The  cat’s  lot  was  about  to  improve. That year, one of Benjamin’s cousins, Mr.Pennington, came to visit. He was impressed with Benjamin’s drawings. When he went home, he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes. He also sent six engravings(版画) by an artist. These were the first pictures and first real paint and brushes Benjamin had ever seen.

In 1747，when Benjamin was nine years old，Mr.Pennington returned for another visit. He was amazed at what Benjamin had done with his gift.He asked Benjamin’s parents if he might take the boy back to Philadelphia for a visit.

Minutes after the last movie ended yesterday at the Plaza Theater, employees were busy sweeping up popcorns and gathering coke cups. It was a scene that had been repeated many times in the theater’s 75-year history. This time, however, the cleanup was a little different. As one group of workers carried out the rubbish, another group began removing seats and other theater equipment in preparation for the building’s end.

   The film classic The Last Picture Show was the last movie shown in the old theater. Though the movie is 30 years old, most of the 250 seats were filled with teary-eyed audience wanting to say good-be to the old building. Theater owner Ed Bradford said he chose the movie because it seemed appropriate. The movie is set in a small town where the only movie theater is preparing to close down.

Bradford said that large modern theaters in the city made it impossible for the Plaza to compete. He added that the theater’s location(位置) was also a reason. “This used to be the center of town,” he said. “Now the area is mostly office buildings and warehouses.”

Last week some city officials suggested the city might be interested in turning the old theater into a museum and public meeting place. However, these plans were abandoned because of financial problems. Bradford sold the building and land to a local development firm, which plans to build a shopping complex on the land where the theater is located.

The theater audience said good-by as Bradford locked the doors for the last time. After 75 years the Plaza Theater has shown its last movie. The theater will be missed.

You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson．Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

    Jane Addams (1860-1935)

    Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank．Addams helped the poor and worked for peace．She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need．In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize．

    Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

    If it weren't for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today．Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world's lakes and oceans．

    Sandra Day O'Connor (1930-present)

    When Sandra Day O'Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman．She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court．O'Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court．

    Rose Parks (1913-2005)

    On December 1, 1995, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger．Her simple act landed Parks in prison．But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott．It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement．"The only tired I was, was tired of giving in," said Parks．

    Leslie Morissette's son, Graham, was 6 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia (白血病). Throughout Graham's ___(1)___ in the hospital, Graham connected with everyone he met, from ___(2)___ patients to younger children. "He would ___(3)___ other sick children his toys or act silly to make them laugh." Morissette said. "Graham's special spirit is what kept me going. He gave me the energy and the ___(4)___to fight with him." In 1997, when he was 8 years old, Graham passed away.

    ___(5)___ by how Graham lived his life caring about others, Morissette ___(6)___ the nonprofit Grahamtastic Connection  in his honor. The organization provides free technology-including computers, iPads, and robots-to children ___(7)___ cancer and other serious illnesses.

    One of the major goal of Morissette's work is to ___(8)___kids to their classrooms, which really helps them continue their ___(9)___despite hospitalizations and days ___(10)___ from school.

    The robots "transport" children right into the classroom in real time. They can ___(11)___the robots right from their ___(12)___bed or home. If a child is unable to attend school, they can ___(13)___ log on to their tablet or laptop and call in to the robot. They can ___(14)___up and down the school paths. They can go to lunch with their___(15)___. The real magic happens between classes, when they're walking down the hallway with their friends, by robot, ___(16)___ their weekend and their favorite foods and other things. It's great technology that really gives children the feeling of control, when their world is maybe ___(17)___control.

    "Every time I can help a child in need, I feel ___(18)___ Graham is smiling down." Morissette said, "1 believe that Graham's___(19)___ lives on in the work that I do. And I'm___(20)___and privileged to be able to do it in his honor."

In 1952, my daddy traveled with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This meant he would  (1)  a lot of time away from home.

As  (2)  came near，he called my mother and   (3)   why he would not be celebrating the holiday with us. Money was tight and he didn't have a way to get back to his  (4)   Though she was   (5)  , Mother knew he was right. When she told us the news, it really  (6)   me, and I went to bed on Christmas Eve with a  (7)   heart.

When we  (8)   up on Christmas morning, Santa had conic. I still remember what gift we   (9)   that year. We were all happy with our gifts, so we went outside to play. As we were   (10)   I looked up and thought I saw my daddy in the distance I ran inside to tell Mother. She did not  (11)  me and told me not to make up stories. My mother  (12)  it just wasn't possible.  (13)   I was sure it was Daddy！I turned to go back outside when I heard familiar footsteps. Daddy was home！As I   (14)   into his arms, Daddy explained that he had tried   (15)   to get home for Christmas, but without success. At last, a group of the workers had decided to drive. But the  (16)   guy lived miles away. So Daddy started   (17)   on Christmas Eve until he arrived home. He had walked all night！

Though the  (18)  that year were wonderful, tile best gift was not found under the  (19)  . Daddy's special surprise made this my most  (20)   Christmas.