五、完形填空。
One afternoon, a lion slept in the deepest part of the shade. After a time, a little mouse went past. She was in such a hurry that she didn't notice the sleeping lion. The little mouse woke up the lion. The lion caught the little mouse 1 his huge paw. "A thousand pardons," begged the mouse. "It was an accident. Besides, I have small children to 2 for."
"That's none of my business," said the lion. "Give me a better 3, or I will eat you."
"Well," answered the little mouse, "if you spare me, I may someday be able to return the favour. I promise to help you in any way I can. " "Ha! Ha!" laughed the lion. "I doubt you shall ever be able to help such a(n) 4 one as myself. But you have amused me so I will let you go. Now run away quickly and leave me in 5 to finish my nap."
Some days later, the lion was tripped by a rope that had been hidden in the grass. It was a trap(陷阱)! Then a large rope net fell from a nearby tree. It 6 the lion from head to toe. The lion was so angry that he roared(吼叫). 7, the mouse that he set free passed by! She was quite afraid, 8 she walked up to the lion.
"Be still!" she shouted in her loudest voice. "All that roaring will bring the hunters down on us!"
"Do you think it's 9?" asked the lion. "I will never be free again. " He threw back his head and roared again.
"If you stop roaring," said the mouse, "I can help you get out of here right away. "
To the lion's 10, the mouse was already hard at work. Soon she had bitten through several ropes. The lion pulled free of the net. He looked thankfully at the little mouse. "Thank you," said the lion gently. "You have proven to me that those who are small and weak may prove to be strong in friendship and kindness. "