历届高考完形填空语篇荟萃(3)

（单词翻译:单击）

(三)

On Thursday afternoon Mrs Clarke locked the door and went to the women's club as usual, It was a pleasant way of passing time for an old woman who lived alone.
When she came home she sensed something unusual. Had someone got in? The back door and the windows were all locked and there was no sign of forced entry(进人).Had anything been taken? She went from room to room, checking, and found her camera and spare watch missing¹.
The following Thursday she went out at her usual time, but didn't go to the club. Instead, she took a short walk in a park nearby and came home, letting herself in through the back door. She settled² down to wait and see what would happen.
It was 4 o'clock when the front doorbell rang. Mrs Clarke was making tea at the time. The bell rang again, and the next moment she heard her letter -box being pushed open. picking up the kettle³(壶)of boiling water, she moved quietly towards the door. A piece of wire appeared through the letter-box, and then a hand. The wire turned and caught around the knot（圆形旋钮）on the door-lock Mrs Clarke raised the kettle and poured the water over the hand. A sharp cry was heard outside as the wire fell to the floor and the hand was pulled back, which was followed by the sound of running feet.
It wasn't long before the police caught the thief. And Mrs Clarke was greatly admired at the club for her successful self-protection.[NMET92]
简析：故事，记叙Mrs clarke智擒盗贼，侧重细节描写。