I devote myself to music because of my grandmother. My mom and I lived with grandparents from the time I was two until I was eight. And even then, I was at their house before and after school every day while my mother was at work.
Grandma loved music. It was her that first _31 me to Elvis Presley as a very young child, and once I heard his music, I was truly in 32 with it. Most five-year-olds ask for 33 for birthdays, but I wanted Elvis’albums. I would play them non-stop and 34 to the music in my grandma’s family room though my movements didn’t look good.
Grandma played the piano and 35 me to sing “America the Beautiful” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. I 36 started playing music on the piano, and soon Grandma was paying for me to take piano lessons from a lady living in the 37 . I would come home from __38 and walk three houses down for my lesson. I _39 took about nine months of lessons, but it was enough to give me a(n) 40 and allow me to continue to teach myself.
Last month when I came home to visit Grandma in the hospital, I brought along my guitar with me. She was in a lot of pain, but the music seemed to _41 her soul. She had me sing some songs and when I started to sing “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, her weakened voice 42 in with mine for a few lines. That experience was one of the most 43 of my lifetime and one I will certainly cherish forever. I told her of my music career and she was very _44 and said, “That’s wonderful!” I _45 to play for her throughout the week I was home.
My grandma passed away two days ago. In my opinion, part of her will live on through every song I write or sing in my life.
A.sent B.left C.remembered D.introduced
A.debate B.love C.agreement D.doubt
A.music B.space C.gifts D.toys
A.wave B.sleep C.dance D.play
A.forced B.prepared C.enabled D.taught
A.generally B.finally C.fortunately D.suddenly
A.hotel B.apartment C.neighborhood D.countryside
A.school B.hospital C.street D.office
A.exactly B.only C.completely D.seldom
A.explanation B.celebration C.translation D.foundation
A.comfort B.blame C.attract D.find
A.joined B.poured C.moved D.fell
A.surprising B.moving C.puzzling D.tiring
A.sad B.calm C.bored D.pleased
A.refused B.expected C.continued D.pretended