admiration of the community be about four-fifths done be about to perform open-heart surgery on be blessed with be in a poisonous mood be spontaneous boundless love drawn by encourage creativity in the young establish a kind of rapport on sneak up on strike up a conversation with swarm around ten-year-old tired of with more zest worth its weight in gold would have thrown in the sponge My Mother On December 1, 1903, my mother was born in a little village in New York State where her father was principal of the school. She (1) a happy life and two doting parents. At a very early age she showed a talent for music. Before she was five she had learned to play on the old square piano that had been the cherished possession of the family. Being their only child, she had (2) from her parents. They gave her all the advantages that they could afford. When she was seven years old, the family moved to Springfield, Illinois. Fortunately their next-door neighbour there was a kindly old German musician who always (3) . When he discovered my mother’s love of music, he (4) in offering to give her lessons free. That same year she entered school, but her greatest interest was music. Before she was twelve, she had read a number of books (5) music and was never (6) practising, and she had played in many a public concert. On her sixteenth birthday, she was overjoyed by the gift of a new piano. She approached her music lessons (7) than ever before. She thought her diligence was (8) to her parents. Her happiness didn’t last long. Within a year, she lost her father. Having to support herself and her mother, she began giving music lessons to the children of the neighbourhood. Soon she won the (9) . With the help of two of her musical friends, she took part in public concerts and gave readings. Many young men (10) , (11) her talent. When she was eighteen, she met my father who (12) her talent and they gradually (13) by discussing a variety of subjects. Before long she married my father, who was an engineer. She then worked as an accompanist. The next year I was born and mother had to give up her work. Father worked overtime on a building project. Ten months of hard work broke his health. When the project (14) , my father died. Father’s death was a terrible blow to my mother. For months she (15) and she became suddenly older and grey hair began to (16) her. Everybody feared that she would never get over her loss. But as soon as she regained her health, she bravely set about trying to earn a living for the three of us, Mother herself, my (17) brother and me. Six afternoons a week she played in one of the largest theaters. She was earning a comfortable living, but after a time the heavy strain began to affect her health. Anybody else (18) but she interested on keeping every engagement. On November 12, 1937, she had a heart attack. When they (19) her, she died. In the estimation of the world, perhaps my mother did not accomplish anything of note. She failed to realize her dream of becoming a great musician, but her brave efforts proved her character. During her brief life of thirty-four years she made hosts of friends and brought happiness to many people. To me her courageous struggle will always be an inspiration.