On Thursday afternoon Mrs Clarke locked the door and went to the women`s club as usual. It was a pleasant way of passing time for an old woman who lived 1____

When she came home she sensed something 2____ . Had someone got in? The back door and the windows were all locked and there was no 3____ of forced entry (进入). Had anything been taken? She went from room to room, checking , and found her camera and spare watch missing.

The following Thursday she went out at her usual time, but didn`t go to the club. 4___ , she took a short walk in a park nearby and came home, letting herself in through the back door. She settled down to wait and see what would 5____

It was 4 o'clock when the front doorbell rang. Mrs Clarke was 6____ tea at the time. The bell rang again, and 7____she heard her letter box being pushed open .8____the kettle (壶) of boiling water, she moved quietly towards the door. A piece of wire appeared through the letter box, and then a 9____ . The wire turned and caught around the knob (圆形旋钮) on the door lock. Mrs Clarke raised the kettle and poured the water over the hand. 10____was heard outside as the 11____ fell to the floor and the hand was pulled back, which was 12____ by the sound of running feet.

It wasn`t long 13____ the police caught the thief. And Mrs Clarke was greatly 14____ at the club for her successful 15____ .

1.A. lonely           B. alone          C. away              D. busily

2.A. terrible             B. uncomfortable    C. unusual         D. bad

3.A. information        B. show            C. sight           D. sign

4.A. Therefore          B. However        C. Instead         D. Again

5.A. appear            B. follow           C. happen         D. do

6.A. cooking           B. making          C. burning         D. serving

7.A. the next moment    B. for a while       C. in time          D. at once

8.A. Putting down     B. Laying aside     C. Picking up       D. Taking away

9.A. knife             B. hand            C. letter           D. key

10.A. A sad voice   B. A strange noise    C. A low shout     D. A sharp cry

11.A. key             B. kettle            C. door lock       D. wire

12.A. followed         B. caused           C. produced       D. ended

13.A. before           B. since            C. until           D. when

14.A. surprised         B. praised          C. encouraged      D.supported

15.A. self-satisfaction  B. self-protection C. self-respect D.self-service