LastWednesdayasmyflightlandedinNewYorkIdidn’tnoticethatoneofmyearbudswasnotliketheother（seethephotototheright）.I’veneverhadanearinfection（感染）orevenanearacheinmy__21__lifeyetovert

　　LastWednesdayasmyflightlandedinNewYorkIdidn’tnoticethatoneofmyearbudswasnotliketheother（seethephotototheright）.

　　I’veneverhadanearinfection（感染）orevenanearacheinmy__21__lifeyetoverthenextfewdaysIfeltadullandsometimessharppaininmyear―especiallywhensleepingonmy__22__side.

　　OvertheweekendItriedtouseaQ-Tip（棉签）onmyleftearbutitwouldn’tgoin.Ithurtalot.__23__Icouldstillusetheseearbudsbecausetheleftonewasnownoticeably__24__thantherightone.

　　I’mashamedto__25__thatittookmeuntilSundaytounderstandwhatnowseemstohavebeenobvious:Themissingpartoftheearbudwas__26__inmyearthustheearached.

　　Ijustcouldn’tbelieveitwasinmyearbecauseIcould__27__justfine.Iwasn’tinthatmuchpain__28__notallthetime.IaskedmyFacebookfriendsifsuchathingwas__29__:CouldIreallyhaveapieceofrubberinmyearandnotreally__30__it?FriendsallsuggestedthatIneedmedicalattentionassoonaspossible.Onesaidhewasnearlydeafinoneearduetonotdealingwithanearinjury__31__enough.

　　WiththatinmindIwalkedunwillinglytotheclinic（诊所）onMondaynight.Sureenoughthenursefoundtheearbudtipinmyleftear.Threetimesshetriedtodigitoutcausingmuch__32__.Threetimesshefailedbeforetheclinicsentmehome__33__anotesuggestingIseeanENT（earnoseandthroat）specialistassoonaspossible.

　　SoI__34__anENTclinicthismorning―withnosmallamountofnervousnessafterwhatI’dgonethroughlastnight.HoweverIwasinexcellenthands.Thedoctor__35__meIhadnothingtoworryabout.

　　Aftertakingaphotooftheearbudtiphehadanotherdoctorremoveit.Ittookonlythreesecondsandwastotallypainless.Victoryatlast!

　　21.A.future B.whole C.public D.private

　　22.A.left B.other C.opposite D.different

　　23.A.Naturally B.Obviously C.Terribly D.Strangely

　　24.A.lighter B.bigger C.shorter D.thicker

　　25.A.guess B.agree C.admit D.remind

　　26.A.stuck B.stopped C.placed