23. A. father                       B. mother                    C. sister                       D. brother

22. A. checking                   B. taking                     C. putting                     D. keeping

21. A. play                    B. study               C. game                 D. work

“Let’s get out of here!” I shouted. Grabbing her hand, I started to move on. I tapped with my cane 39 we found the front door. We felt our way down the steps, 40 in the sweet, fresh summer air, and to the gate of her yard. Thank you, Lord. We’re all safe.

I went as   36   as I could to Debbie’s. I got to the front door. I could 37 a heavy, thick smoke. I put my hand on the doorknob(门把手), and reached for my key and 38  the door. “Here, Jim. Help!” Her voice was weak.

Several minutes 33 I heard a sound. It was Nan on the 34  . “Jim! Jim!” I heard over the monitor. “The house is 35 ! Help! ”

“Good night, Nan,” I said. I 31  my stick and headed out the door. “See you tomorrow,” Nan called behind me. I locked the door and 32  my way home.

“If you’re okay,” I said, “I think I’ll turn in.” Before I 30, I made sure the baby monitor was working.

Like me, Nan was   28 ―and was also hard of hearing. That evening Nan and I chatted for a bit 29.

I was 26  to help. After all, I’ve been blind since infancy(婴儿期) and out of work for years. In fact, at 54, I’d come to wonder if I had much   27 anymore.