Alex was a giraffe who lived in a zoo with his mom, dad and other giraffe friends. As Alex grew, he     16    his neck was much shorter than the others. He began to get     17   . But his mother told him that he was special. She said it did not matter how short or long his neck was.
Alex tried not to think about his short    18   . But as his friends grew taller and taller, his neck    19    short. Sometimes the other giraffes    20    him, but his parents told him not to worry. They said that he should be happy with himself the way he was. He tried, but he could not even play in some giraffe sports. He was just too     21   .
One day, one of the zoo workers came and took Alex away. Alex was frightened. Would he have to leave the zoo just     22    he didn’t have a long neck? The zoo worker calmed Alex down and gave him some food. He felt better. Then he led Alex into another area of the zoo. There was a small     23    between the two areas. Alex was the only giraffe that could fit through it.
Soon Alex’s parents came to see him. “I told you that you were special,” his mother said. “The zoo has made a place just for     24    because so many people want to see how special you are!”
She was right. Visitors pointed to him and screamed      25   . They look happy to see something so special at the zoo.
16. A. wondered B. found C. hoped D. agreed
17. A. powerful B. interested C. energetic D. worried
18. A. keg B. tail C. neck D. nose
19. A. stayed B. became C. turned D. felt
20. A. looked after B. fell behind C. laughed at D. heard of
21. A. tall B. short C. fat D. thin
22. A after  B. unless C. because D. before
23. A. cage B. hole C. window D. door
24. A. him B. you C. us D. me
25. A. excitedly B. angrily C. sadly D. heavily

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记叙文

话题

故事

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255

【短文大意】本文是记叙文。介绍了长颈鹿亚历克斯和他的父母一起生活在动物园里的成长故事。故事介绍了随着年龄的增长，亚历克斯发现他的脖子比其他长颈鹿短，也不能参加一些长颈鹿的活动。但他的父母告诉他，他很特别，让他不要担心。动物园还给他换了地方，并且有许多游客来看望他。