A Welcome Gift
Dario and his mother loved their new apartment. The living room was large enough for their piano. That night, the two of them ___16___ side by side at the piano. They played jazz music to celebrate their new home. The loud ___17___ filled the room and made them feel very happy.
The next morning, ___18___, their happiness disappeared（消失）. Someone had left a ___19___ under their door during the night. One of their neighbors had written to complain (抱怨) about the sound of the piano. Dario’s mother asked the building superintendent (管理员) if he knew anything about it. But he said that they were all ___20___ people and he couldn’t picture any of them had done that. Later that morning, Dario suggested that they write a letter to their ___21___ and apologize for their playing.
“Maybe we could go and ___22___ everyone in person,” his mother said.
“What if we invited them to come here for a ___23___ instead?” Dario asked.
They both loved the ___24___. Over the next few days, they sent out invitations and prepared desserts ___25___ their guests. They decorated the apartment with streams (彩带) and pretty lights(灯).
Finally, the day of the party ___26___. Some guests brought gifts. Others brought flowers. Some even brought desserts to ___27___. One woman, Mrs. Gilbert, ___28___ Dario’s mother with a book of piano music by Chopin.
“I heard you playing the other night,” she said, “The sounds woke me out of bed. I ___29___ that you might play like this every night. So I wrote a short note. I hope you don’t think I disliked the playing.”
Dario’s mother smiled at Mrs. Gilbert. “I think maybe we ___30___ you an apology,” she said. “I didn’t ___31___ how late it was when we were playing. Maybe we should play some quieter music at night.”
“You play, you play!” Mrs. Gilbert said. “I like what you play! Just not so loud at night.” She pointed(指着) to the book she had given them. “These songs are not such ___32___ music.”
“These songs are beautiful music,” Dario’s mother said. “We will be ___33___ to play them in the evening.”
“And we won’t play so loud or late!” Dario said. He was already looking forward to __34___the new music. More than that, however, he was happy to see the big smile on his mother’s face. It gave him a feeling of ___35___ and made him feel that they were home at last.
16. A. sat B. stood C. lay D. walked
17.A. voice B. ring C. music D. cry
18.A. therefore B. however C. otherwise D. instead
19.A. note B. poster C. bill D. report
20.A. proud B. rich C. lucky D. nice
21.A. neighbors B. friends C. relatives D. audiences
22.A. blame B. instruct C. question D. visit
23.A. party B. concert C. show D. play
24.A. experience B. idea C. performance D. action
25.A. to B. with C. for D. from
26.A. continued B. arrived C. passed D. finished
27.A. order B. sell C. share D. advertise
28.A. treated B. presented C. helped D. served
29.A. promised B. admitted C. agreed D. worried
30.A. give B. send C. offer D. owe
31.A. realize B. remember C. understand D. accept
32.A. sweet B. strange C. funny D. loud
33.A. brave B. sorry C. happy D. afraid
34.A. changing B. practicing C. recording D. writing
35.A. equality B. freedom C. warmth D. sympathy
