“ Ann Mathews, urgent call on line One，” announccd the voice on my telephone speaker.
As a social worker, I knew a 11 response might mean life or death for in abused (受虐待的）child. Jean Smith, my boes，had even come up wilk a slogan, “Call early — save a child!” So I 12 over a metal wastebasket and quickly picked up the phone.
“...no, thanks, I don't need a sandwith today. ” I said to the sandwich delivery boy on the other end.
I appreiated my secretary Sara's hard work, 13 her non-emergency “urgent” calls were driving me crazy!
I walked past the swichboard where Sara sat. “I'm out. Hold my calls. ”
“ But what if it's an urgent 14 ? Sara asked in a serious voice.
“ Take a message, ”I said, “I'll 15 it as soon as I get back, ” I them headed out the door.
When I finally got back to the office， I had a headache. There on my desk was a bright orange sticky nole, “Urgent message! Please take action 16 , ” it said.
“Thai Sara! I wonder what it is this time. Probably a message from the dry-cleaner's. ” I threw it into my 17 and finished up some work that was urgent.
I came to work the next morning. I made several calls to set up meetings for the aftermoon. In the office next door, I heard Jean slam her telephone down and hurry out.
“The principal of Lee Middle School just called Jean, ” one of the coworkers said. “He says they reported a child with unexplained injury yesterday. And ihey still haven't gotten a(n) 18
for us. ”
“That's awful ! Who look the message?” asked the other.
“Sara did，but she doesn't 19 who she gave the message to . And what's worse，the child didn't show up for school today! ”
I 20 . Could they be talking about my “urgent message ”? I did in my wastebasket until I found the orange note: “School Nurse at Lee Middle.
Reporting possible child abuse.please call before school closes. ”
Through the half-open door,I could hear Jean talking to Sare. “The child is fine this time,but that does not 21 your mistake. ”I shut my eyes tightly to think.
“Sara doesn't remember putting this message in my box.I could 22
I never got it! ” I told myself.Then I 23 my eyes.I knew what I must do. Tightly holding the orange sticky note,I knocked on the door.sara's face relaxed as I began to explain.
Weeks later，I opened a file and fount a note in Jean's handwriting ：“ Ann Matthews is hard workitig. In the area of social work , mjistakes are sometimes made. Ann's greatest strength is her willingness to take
24 . ”
Now, I keep an arange sticky note on my desk to 25 me.
11. A. quick B. natural C. clear D. silent
12. A.. walked B. jumped C.climbed D. stepped
13. A. for B. and C. so D. but
14. A. delivery B. message C. call D. letter
15. A. handle B. copy C. send D. study
16. A. recently B. immediately C. suddenly D. Gnallv
17. A. file B. bag C. wastebasket D. box
18. A. response B. agreement C. promise D. offer
19. A. know B. remember C. recognize D. care
20. A. froze B. smiled C. lied D. cried
21. A. make B. excuse C.cause D. correct
22. A. suppose B. admit C. explain D. preiend
23 A. closed B. raised C. evened D. dropped
24. A. control B. advice C. responsibility D. action
25. A. excite B. encourage C. persuade D. remind