Music to My Ears Robby was 10 for his first piano lesson in my class. Much as he tried,

Music to My Ears

Robby was 10 for his first piano lesson in my class. Much as he tried, he __41__ even the basic rhythm. However, he dutifully reviewed the pieces that I required.

Over the months he tried and tried while I __42__ and encouraged him. At the end of each lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play some day." __43__ it seemed hopeless.

I only knew his mother from a __44__as she waited in her aged car to pick him up. Then one day Robby stopped coming. I was secretly __45__ that he stopped because of his lack of ability.

    Weeks later I informed the students, including Robby, of the coming recital（独奏）. To my __46__, Robby asked me if he could be included. I told him he really did not qualify because he had __47__ out. He said his mom had been sick and unable to take him to lessons but he was still __48__ .

“I've just got to play!" he __49__. Something inside me let me allow him to.

Then came the recital night. The gym was _50__ with parents. I put Robby up __51__, thinking that I could save his poor performance through my “curtain closer（谢幕）.”

The recital went off smoothly. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair was __52__. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?" I thought.

Robby pulled out the piano bench and began. I was not __53__ for what I heard next. His fingers were __54__ on the keys. Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people of his age. After he ended, everyone was __55__ their feet in wild applause.

In __56__ I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby. "I've never heard you play like that, Robby! How did you __57__ it?"

Robby explained, "Well, Miss Hondorf…remember I told you my mom was sick? …__58__ she had cancer and passed away yesterday. She was born deaf, so tonight she could hear me play in heaven. I wanted to make it special."

There wasn’t a __59__ eye in the house. That night I felt he was the teacher and I was the pupil, for it was he who taught me the meaning of perseverance and __60__.

41. A. lacked               B. had                   C. showed                  D. got

42. A. listened                 B. learned              C. checked                 D. played

43. A. And                      B. But                   C. So                         D. Or

44. A. conversation    B. performance      C. distance                  D. picture

45. A. guilty                B. sad                   C. anxious                  D. glad

46. A. relief                 B. surprise             C. pleasure                  D. satisfaction

47. A. stepped                    B. worn                 C. run                        D. dropped

48. A. acting               B. performing        C. practicing               D. recording

49. A. insisted                    B. suggested          C. complained             D. threatened

50. A. lined                     B. packed                     C. piled                       D. covered

51. A. least                      B. most                 C. first                       D. last

52. A. messy               B. cool             C. neat                    D. dull

53. A. eager         B. concerned           C. prepared                 D. grateful

54. A. hesitating           B. dancing             C. touching                 D. crawling

55. A. over                      B. under                C. in                           D. on

56. A. chaos             B. tears                  C. silence                    D. return

57. A. find                      B. feel                   C. make                      D. like

58. A. Gradually       B. Suddenly           C. Frequently                     D. Actually

59. A. dry                       B. curious              C. bright                     D. wet

60. A. regret             B. talent          C. love                       D. courage

A A B C D          B D C A B      D A C B D       B C D A C