One of the most common complaints I hear from families is that they are not close. They may be close in proximity, but still not feel close as a 36_. They may live next door or in the same house, but not feel 37 .
Closeness is about 38 . We feel close when we feel 39 , when we feel loved and when we simply enjoy being together. We may live far apart and still feel close, or we may 40 a home yet feel distant.
Closeness is a family trait that 41 over time. It is planted by love, watered by honest sharing and fed by true listening. It grows slowly and sometimes 42 years to mature; but it’s roots grow deep. It can 43 most storm and sustain a family through the most 44 time.
I received a letter from a reader in Hawaii. She 45 out that the CEO of one of the island’s largest banks was 46 a run for governor. Since he was well—liked, he seemed to have a good 47 of winning.
But before filing papers, he 48 his mind, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his 49 . Not that elected officials cannot be family—oriented, but he felt he needed more time at home than the job 50 .
Ronald A Young, in the Honolulu Advertiser, said this about the candidate’s decision：”No matter what you 51 in the business world or the social world, if you fail the family, then you have not accomplished much. Failure or success does not 52 in the material wealth you provide them. It is 53 by what of yourself you give to them.”
He made a 54 to give the best of himself to his family. He 55 family closeness first, despite pressure to put more time elsewhere. It’s likely a decision he’ll never regret.
| 36．A. house |
B. home |
C. family |
D. group |
| 37．A. physically |
B. emotionally |
C. behaviorally |
D. officially |
| 38．A. attitude |
B. points |
C. ambition |
D. ideas |
| 39．A. misunderstood |
B. understood |
C. annoyed |
D. disappointed |
| 40．A. share |
B. stay |
C. live |
D. keep |
| 41．A. grows |
B. changes |
C. stays |
D. happens |
| 42．A. pays |
B. spends |
C. takes |
D costs |
| 43．A. weather |
B. carry |
C. keep |
D. protect |
| 44．A. happy |
B. difficult |
C. joyful |
D. funny |
| 45．A. pointed |
B. set |
C. put |
D. gave |
| 46．A. thinking |
B. considering |
C. expecting |
D. waiting |
| 47．A. sign |
B. mark |
C. score |
D. chance |
| 48．A. kept |
B. changed |
C. stuck |
D. made |
| 49．A. family |
B. friends |
C. people |
D. officials |
| 50．A. provided |
B. allowed |
C. had |
D. gave |
| 51．A. complete |
B. finish |
C. get |
D. accomplish |
| 52．A. lie |
B. result |
C. say |
D. happen |
| 53．A. concerned |
B. tested |
C. measured |
D. examined |
| 54．A. plan |
B. solution |
C. promise |
D. decision |
| 55．A. took |
B. brought |
C. chose |
D. held |
It was very cold at 7 am that Monday morning in Harvard Square. I was nearly mad because I had just the bus, and was standing out in the freezing cold waiting for the next one. My mind was filled with anxiety and thoughts. “Why didn’t I leave two minutes ?”
the others at the bus stop was a woman in her fifties wearing a old-fashioned hat, an old pair of boots and a dark coat, but she had no . Another woman, who looked to be in her middle twenties, said to the woman, “Your hands must be very cold. You’ll get frostbitten (冻伤的) in this weather.” She her heavy backpack to the ground, bent down, and began for something inside her backpack. The older woman looked and said, ”Oh no, that’s OK. I’m .
The younger woman continued to search in her backpack and the older woman kept repeating, “Don’t yourself. I’ll be all right.” After seemed like so many minutes, the younger woman a pair of purple gloves. She took the older woman’s hands and gently a glove on each hand, covering one finger . The older woman said, “Thank you. You’re so sweet.”
Though I was very cold, the act of gave ma a warm feeling inside. It also motivated me to buy five pairs of purple gloves, similar to hers, and them in my bag, just in case I someone who was in great on a cold day.
A．missed B．got C．waited D．seen
A．negative B．happy C．good D．creative
A．ago B．earlier C．later D．sooner
A．With B．Between C．Among D．Before
A．shoes B．gloves C．scarf D．coat
A．older B．younger C．latter D．shorter
A．pushed B．pulled C．lifted D．dropped
A．watching B．caring C．looking D．leaving
A．down B．up C．away D．out
A．sorry B．glad C．happy D．fine
A．for B．of C．with D．around
A．upset B．trouble C．save D．satisfy
A．this B．that C．what D．she
A．pulled out B．picked up C．picked out D．put on
A．gave B．placed C．situated D．took
A．at once B．at times C．at a time D．at the same time
A．happiness B．kindness C．rudeness D．sadness
A．lie B．take C．hang D．put
A．took care B．came across C．learned of D．turned to
A．honor B．need C．shock D．surprise
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Once upon a time, there was a bird made of stone. She was beautiful and magic. She lived near the entrance to a beautiful between two mountains. The bird was so that she had to walk on the ground instead of in the sky.
Though she couldn’t fly, she looking up at the trees every day. She one day being able to fly and see the forest from up high. , that dream was gone after a great fire.
When the fire was put out, all that was left of the trees were stumps（树桩）. plants and animals that had live there were gone. The stone bird was the only one that didn’t in the fire. When she saw what had to the trees, she felt very sad. Looking at the burnt trees, she couldn’t crying. She cried for hours and days. She cried with such a feeling that her were wearing away her stone . Finally all her body was worn away and the bird had some water.
But when the came out, the water rose into the sky and became a happy little cloud which could fly over the trees and see everything .
Since then, the little cloud has traveled all over the world. She enjoyed the of all the forests and beautiful countryside. She never what had burnt the trees, so she was very careful to pour her rain down on any tree she saw . She saved a lot of trees.
A．field B．lake C．sea D．forest
A．proud B．surprising C．heavy D．pretty
A．walking B．trying C．singing D．flying
A．needed B．began C．enjoyed D．disliked
A．made up B．dreamed of C．gave up D．talked about
A．dusty B．poor C．small D．beautiful
A．However B．Also C．Therefore D．So
A．sadly B．possibly C．finally D．suddenly
A．Some B．All C．Few D．No
A．change B．live C．watch D．die
A．happened B．come C．moved D．climbed
A．continue B．start C．keep D．stop
A．minds B．feelings C．hands D．tears
A．house B．heart C．body D．habit
A．cared about B．turned into C．turned up D．looked for
A．star B．air C．moon D．sun
A．below B．above C．backward D．ahead
A．views B．areas C．colours D．numbers
A．found B．explained C．forgot D．knew
A．falling B．burning C．growing D．shaking
One March evening I together with my friends was on a bus. The driver didn't to start the bus soon because it was not yet .A mid-aged woman got on. Tired and sad, she told her story , not to anyone particular. On her way to the station, half of her was stolen. The other half was hidden under her blouse, so she still had some left. A few minutes later, she stopped crying, but still looked .
When all the seats were taken, the driver started the engine. The conductor began to collect the fares. When she came to an old man in worn-out clothes, he that he had spent all his money he accidentally got on a wrong bus and now was trying to go home. On hearing this, she ordered the old man to the bus. The old man was almost in tears as he her to let him take the bus home. The driver took the conductor's side and repeated the conductor's .
The woman was watching the incident. the driver and the conductor raised their voices at the old man, she shouted.
“Stop him! Can't you see he's only trying to get home”
“He doesn't have any money!” the driver .
“Well, that's no to throw him off the bus.” She insisted.
Then she reached inside her blouse, took out her money, and handed it to the conductor. “Here's his fare and mine. Just stop giving him a time.
All heads turned to the woman. “ It's only money,” she shrugged.
She rode the rest of her way home a happy smile, with the money she'd lost earlier .
On the road of life, the help of strangers can our roads and lift our spirits. How much sweeter the will be when we make it a little smoother for others!
A．try B．care C．decide D．intend
A．empty B．full C．crowded D．ready
A．tearfully B．seriously C．carefully D．calmly
A．fare B．possession C．money D．wealth
A．strangely B．happily C．secretly D．fortunately
A．unsatisfied B．weak C．unhappy D．excited
A．explained B．declared C．admitted D．found
A．get off B．start C．get on D．stop
A．begged B．scolded C．praised D．thanked
A．request B．action C．suggestion D．command
A．Unless B．Although C．Until D．When
A．attacking B．bothering C．blaming D．wronging
A．warned B．whispered C．shouted D．repeated
A．problem B．need C．matter D．reason
A．spending B．collected C．remaining D．borrowed
A．busy B．cold C．hard D．fearful
A．giving B．wearing C．taking D．forcing
A．forgotten B．used C．earned D．returned
A．move B．increase C．lighten D．carry
A．world B．journey C．smile D．friendship
I grew up poor－living with my wonderful mother. We had little money, but plenty of love and attention. I was and energetic. I understood that no matter how poor a person was, he could still to have a dream.
My dream was . By the time I was sixteen, I had started playing baseball. I could throw a ninety-mile-per-hour fastball and anything that moved on the football field. I was also : My high school coach was John, who not only believed in me, but also taught me to believe in myself. He me the difference between having a dream and remaining true to that dream. One particular _ with Coach John changed my life forever.
A friend recommended me for a summer job. This meant a chance for money in my pocket-money for a new bike, new clothes and the of savings for a house for my mother. Then I realized I would have to up summer baseball to handle the work schedule, and that meant I would have to tell John I wouldn’t be playing.
When I told John, he was as as I expected him to be. “You have your whole life to work,” He said. “Your days are limited. You can’t afford to waste them.” I stood before him with my head , trying to think of the to explain to him why my dream of buying my mom a house and having money in my pocket was worth facing his in me.
“How much are you going to make at this job?” He asked. “3.5 dollars an hour,” I replied.
“Well,” he asked, “is $3.5 an hour the price of a dream?”
That simple question made for me the difference between something right now and having a . I devoted myself to sports that summer and the year I was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play baseball, and was a $20,000 contract. My baseball scholarship got me through university and in 1984 I signed with Denver Broncos for $1.7 million and bought my mother the house of her dreams.
A．happy B．polite C．shy D．honest
A．live B．afford C．make D．need
A．athletics B．music C．business D．money
A．throw B．play C．pass D．hit
A．right B．popular C．lucky D．wrong
A．how B．why C．when D．whether
A．gave B．taught C．brought D．asked
A．accident B．matter C．problem D．experience
A．aim B．idea C．start D．purpose
A．keep B．end C．give D．pick
A．mad B．puzzled C．frightened D．shameful
A．living B．playing C．working D．learning
A．moving B．nodding C．shaking D．hanging
A．answers B．excuses C．words D．ways
A．sadness B．regret C．hopelessness D．disappointment
A．direct B．clear C．straight D．bare
A．wanting B．changing C．dreaming D．living
A．wish B．dream C．score D．desire
A．by B．for C．over D．within
A．paid B．got C．offered D．presented
Last week after a long day of traveling, I found myself delayed at a bus station. The bus was running two hours late! I was a little ____ and had to wait there reading a book. Just then a woman _____ and asked me if I had any spare change to help her ____ a bus ticket.
“Oh, sure,” I said.
With the words, I reached into my bag for some _____. As I handed her five dollars I _____her stomach rumble (发出辘辘声) and I knew she was very ______.
I then reached back into my _____ and brought out a Danish pastry (酥皮糕点) I had bought earlier and _____it to her with a smile.
She took the pastry and gave me a bus ticket to Milwaukee to show her _____. I don’t live in Milwaukee and the ticket will probably ____ be used, but I took it. A look of ____ spread over her face. Then she went to get her ____ and I went back to my ____.
She came back a few ____ later, apologized, and told me there were five dollars ____. I gave her the money and slipped(悄悄地塞) a twenty ____. She thanked me and went back to the counter. ____ I went back to my book.
Five minutes later she came back again and ____ to return my twenty. ____ I said it was for her so she could get something else to eat and that I wasn’t taking it back, she _____crying and hugged me.
From then on, I always help others in trouble, because I believe I am really making a difference to them!
A．worried B．terrified C．interested D．moved
A．looked around B．came up C．walked about D．ran away
A．exchange B．check C．find D．get
A．books B．newspapers C．money D．food
A．felt B．heard C．imagined D．proved
A．weak B．sick C．tired D．hungry
A．bag B．counter C．pocket D．suitcase
A．handed B．showed C．lent D．sold
A．trouble B．thankfulness C．kindness D．belief
A．always B．ever C．never D．still
A．surprise B．relief C．excitement D．fear
A．luggage B．pastry C．coffee D．ticket
A．speech B．seat C．book D．room
A．days B．minutes C．hours D．weeks
A．short B．missing C．available D．unused
A．as well B．in return C．with anger D．by chance
A．Sometimes B．Once C．Again D．Often
A．refused B．pretended C．agreed D．tried
A．Since B．After C．Though D．If
A．forgot B．considered C．started D．avoided