
阅读下面短文,用括号内所给单词的适当形式填空,必要时可加助动词。
“Where’s Papa going with that axe (斧子)?” said Fern to her mother while they ____1____ (set) the table for breakfast.
“Out to the pig house,” replied Mrs. Arable. “Some pigs were born last night.”
“I don’t see why an axe ____2____ (need),” continued Fern. “Well,” said her mother, “one of the pigs is too small and weak ____3____ (live). So your father has decided to do away with it.”
“You mean kill it?” Fern shouted. “Just because it’s ____4____ (small) than the others?”
Fern ran outdoors ____5____ (quick). She caught up with her father. “Please don’t kill it!” she cried. “It’s unfair!”
Mr. Arable stopped ____6____ (walk). “Fern,” he said gently, “you will have to learn to control yourself.”
“Control ____7____ (I)?” yelled Fern. “This is a matter of life and death.” She took hold of the axe. “Fern,” said Mr. Arable, “I know more about raising pigs. A weakling usually makes trouble.”
“But the pig couldn’t help being born small, could it?” cried Fern. “If I had been very small at birth, would you have killed me?”
Mr. Arable smiled. “But this is different...” “I see no ____8____ (different),” replied Fern. “This is the worst case I ____9____ (hear) of since I was born!”
“All right,” he said. “I will let you feed it with a bottle, as _____10_____ (baby) are fed. Then you will see what trouble a pig can be.”
When Mr. Arable returned to the house, he carried a box under his arm. Fern opened the box. There, inside, looking up at her, was the newborn pig.