Read the followingpassage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Louisa May Alcott was a famous writer who was born in Philadelphia, United States in 1832. Her father was an honest and kind man though he was not very (21)______ at making money. As a result, the Alcotts were often very poor. Louisa's father taught Louisa and her three sisters to read and write. When Louisa was young, she (22)______ plays and stories for her sisters to act out.

Although Louisa's first story was published when she was sixteen, she did not get much money out of writing until her book, 'Hospital Sketches', became successful. Her most famous book, (24) ______, is 'Little Women'. (24)______ most people do not know is, that the four girls portrayed in the story; Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy are actually the four Alcott sisters. Several of her (25)______ were actually based on her own family life and experiences.

An English – speaking contest ______ at my school next week.