1. (2023八下·期中) 完形填空

Mary is 99. Benjamin is 2. They may seem like unlikely friends. But during the pandemic (流行病)，they have 1 a special relationship.

"We've been neighbors with Mary long before Benjamin was born," Benjamin's mom, Sarah said. "Last year when the pandemic hit, we had to 2 at home. Mary was someone we could see outside."

Because of the pandemic, the family started playing in the yard more, and Mary would be in hers. 3 Benjamin grew over the year, he started to play with Mary more. He would run over to Mary and bring her a ball when he saw her in the yard. Mary even created a new 4 called Ping Ball. In the game, Benjamin 5 her the ball and she reaches her stick over the fence and hits it back to Benjamin.

There's a 97-year age gap (差距)，but Benjamin doesn't see it. For Benjamin, Mary is just his friend. For Mary who lives 6 , a friend is also what she needs. It seems Mary has 7 a childlike (童稚的) spirit again with Benjamin. She even plays with bubbles and even water guns.

More than a year after they first started playing together, Benjamin and Mary still 8 each other's company (陪伴).

"9 can just happen in so many different ways. I'm just really happy they were able to form this relationship. It means a lot to both of them." Sarah said. "I believe my son and neighbor's story resonates (引起共鸣）with many people, because people like to see relationship form so 10 for children and old people."