Sometimes a step-parent has to take a step back. When I was thirty-five, I met my husband and came to ______ his kids, aged 10 and 7. We ______ playing basketball and shopping for cartoon books and became great friends. Then I got ______.
In most ______ ,stepkids live with their mom and stepdad. This makes our case quite ______ . Four years into our marriage, after going between their mom’s place and ours, the boys______ in with us full-time.
I was ______ a part-time friend, so everything changed. For example, ______ the kids to help didn’t appear an important thing before, but now they became unwilling. Once, after I’d asked my elder stepson to set the table, he ______ said, “You’re not my mother; I don’t have to ______ you.”
It was ______ but I realized it was about keeping ______ clear in our new family life. I told him he was right—I wasn’t his mom; I was another person in his life who ______ him, and we needed to get things done ______ .
______ in a life-in situation, a step-parent isn’t the parent. You help with everything and ______ lots of hugs and laughs. But you also have to learn to stand in the ______ . For example, when there were only enough ______ for Mom and Dad to sit up front, I sat in back. It was hurtful, but I realized it wasn’t personal.
Today, my stepsons know where to find me, whether it’s for long chats or a(n) ______ e-mail to say hi. And I know where to find them. The caring is surely there, even if the ______ isn’t.
A．know B．teach C．understand D．instruct
A．passed time B．agreed on C．had fun D．set about
A．convinced B．separated C．changed D．married
A．places B．ways C．cases D．families
A．unusual B．similar C．positive D．difficult
A．came B．moved C．got D．ran
A．as well B．just now C．once again D．no longer
A．allowing B．getting C．advising D．inviting
A．quietly B．suddenly C．simply D．immediately
A．work for B．listen to C．stay with D．focus on
A．selfish B．impolite C．reasonable D．painful
A．roles B．duties C．quarrels D．records
A．supported B．envied C．loved D．bothered
A．properly B．together C．already D．easily
A．Still B．Even C．Also D．Then
A．have B．expect C．avoid D．share
A．shadows B．positions C．shelters D．sufferings
A．spots B．beds C．chairs D．tickets
A．special B．extra C．quick D．private
A．bloodline B．influence C．comfort D．respect
One rainy night many years ago ,an elderly couple entered the hall of a small hotel in Philadephia. The couple walked to the front desk hoping to get some 21 for the night. “Could you give us a 22 here?” the husband asked.
The waiter, a 23 man with a bright smile, looked at the couple and 24 that there were three meetings in town. “All of our rooms are taken,” the waiter said. “ 25 I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you be 26 to sleep in my room? It’s not 27 a suite(套房)，but it will be good enough to make you 28 for the night.”
When then couple refused 39 , he explained, “Don’t worry about me.”So the couple 30 . The next morning, the elderly man said to the waiter, “you are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best 31in America. Maybe someday I’ll 32 one for you.” The waiter looked at them and 33 .Then they drove away.
Two years passed. The waiter had almost 34 it when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled（提起）that 35 night and enclosed（附上）a round-trip to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.
The old man 36 knowledge, the knowledge of the life, history and geography of the people whose 37 him in New York and led him to Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He 38 to a great new building there.
“That is the hotel I have just built for you,” said the elderly man.
“You must be 39 ,” the young man said.
“I’m not,” said the elderly man.
The elderly man was William Waldor-Aster, and that 40 building was the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The young waiter who became its first manager was George Boldt.
A．food B．shelter C．light D．space
A．room B．help C．bed D．chair
A．serious B．patient C．friendly D．careful
A．decided B．thought C．suggested D．explained
A．So B．And C．But D．If
A．ready B．glad C．grateful D．natural
A．clearly B．nearly C．exactly D．simply
A．calm B．special C．successful D．comfortable
A．easily B．politely C．give D．know
A．left B．agreed C．complained D．happened
A．hotel B．shop C．school D．restaurant
A．build B．keep C．find D．invent
A．checked B．excused C．smiled D．changed
A．expected B．realised C．discovered D．forgotten
A．bright B．warm C．cloudy D．stormy
A．ticket B．map C．form D．travel
A．met B．thanked C．missed D．watched
A．waved B．pointed C．moved D．returned
A．laughing B．arguing C．joking D．reporting
A．small B．common C．simple D．beautiful
At 8:30 on a busy morning of one day，an elderly gentleman in his 80s came to the hospital . I heard him saying to the nurse that he was in a hurry for an appointment at 9:30.
The nurse had him take a 36 in the waiting area, 37 him it would be at least 40 minutes 38 someone would be able to see him. I saw him 39 his watch and decided, since I was 40 busy—my patient didn’t 41 at the appointed hour, I would examine his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment.
The gentleman said no and told me that he 42 to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his 43 . He told me that she had been 44 for a while and that she had a special disease. I asked if she would be 45 if he was a bit late. He replied that she 46 knew who he was, that she had not been able to 47 him for five years now. I was 48 , and asked him, “And you 49 go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I know who she is.” I had to hold back 50 as he left.
Now I 51 that in marriages, true love is 52 of all that is. The happiest people don’t 53 have the best of everything; they just 54 the best of everything they have. 55 isn’t about how to live through the storm, but how to dance in the rain.
A．breath B．test C．seat D．walk
A．persuading B．telling C．understanding D．promising
A．if B．after C．since D．before
A．very B．also C．not D．seldom
A．go away B．see off C．come on D．turn up
A．happened B．forgot C．pretended D．needed
A．wife B．daughter C．mother D．sister
A．late B．there C．around D．well
A．worried B．lonely C．doubtful D．hungry
A．so far B．neither C．no longer D．already
A．believe B．answer C．recognize D．expect
A．moved B．surprised C．disappointed D．satisfied
A．still B．then C．thus D．only
A．curiosity B．judgment C．words D．tears
A．suggest B．realize C．hope D．predict
A．acceptance B．expression C．agreement D．exhibition
A．naturally B．completely C．necessarily D．frequently
A．learn B．make C．favor D．try
A．Adventure B．Beauty C．Trust D．Life
A little boy was visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot(弹弓）to 21in the woods. He practiced and practiced but could never 22 the target. Becoming somewhat 23 , he headed back for dinner.
As he was returning, he saw Grandma’s 24 duck. Without thinking, he shot his slingshot, hit the duck right 25 the head and killed it. He was shocked and sad. Quickly, he 26 the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his 27 watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After 28 that day, Grandma said, “Sally, you wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me that he wanted to 29in the kitchen today, didn't you, Johnny?” And then she 30 to him, “Remember, the duck?” Then Johnny did the dishes.
Later, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to __31__ fishing, and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I __32__ Sally to help me make supper.” But Sally smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right. Johnny told me he wanted to __33__.” And she whispered again, “Remember, the 34 ?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny 35 at home.
After several days, Johnny finally couldn't 36 it any longer. He went to Grandma and 37 that he had killed her pet duck and asked for her 38 .
Hearing this, Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the 39 and saw the whole thing from the house. And because I 40 you, I forgive you, but I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make you her slave.”
A．work on B．carry out C．look after D．play with
A．get B．hit C．find D．miss
A．discouraged B．nervous C．helpless D．foolish
A．pet B．big C．pretty D．little
A．to B．at C．by D．in
A．took B．got C．hid D．found
A．grandpa B．grandma C．sister D．brother
A．lunch B．supper C．breakfast D．school
A．support B．cook C．help D．stay
A．shouted B．spoke C．nodded D．whispered
A．go B．play C．discover D．find
A．make B．have C．punish D．need
A．stay B．do C．help D．beat
A．farm B．duck C．supper D．slingshot
A．waited B．smiled C．stayed D．cried
A．stand B．keep C．face D．hide
A．promised B．explained C．admitted D．described
A．apology B．advice C．forgiveness D．permission
A．window B．roadside C．kitchen D．farm
A．punished B．mistook C．love D．respect
Cars are an important part of life in the United States． Without a car， most people feel that they are___36___．And even if a person is poor， he doesn’t feel___37___poor when he has a car．
Henry Ford was the man who first started ___38___cars in large numbers． He probably didn’t know how much the car was going to ___39___American culture．The car made the United States a nation on ___ 40___． And it ___41___to make the United States what it is today．
There are three main reasons that the car has become so___42___in the United States． ___43___，the country is a huge one and Americans like to __44__around in it ．The car__45__the most comfortable and cheapest form of transportation． With a car， people can go any place___46___spending a lot of money．The second reason is that the United States never really developed an efficient（有效地） and inexpensive form of public___47___． Long distance trains have never been as ___48___in the United States as they are in other parts of the world．Nowadays there is a good system of air-service provided by ___49__．But it is too expensive to be used ___50__． The third reason is the most ___51__one．The American spirit of ___52___is what really made cars popular． Americans don’t like to wait for a bus or a train ___53___a plane． They don’t like to have to ___54___an exact schedule． A car gives them the freedom to schedule their own time．And this is the freedom that Americans want___55___to have．
A．healthy B． poor C．pretty D．rich
A．actually B．truly C．really D．exactly
A．making B．doing C．designing D．owing
A．afford B．affect C．effort D．effect
A．foot B．horse backs C．wheels D．chairs
A．helped B．tried C．hoped D．got
A．well-known B．popular C．lovely D．famous
A．In all B．After all C．Above all D．First of all
A．walk B．transport C．move D．go
A．provides B．offers C．takes D．proves
A．with B．by C．for D．without
A．journey B．transportation C．travel D．trip
A．unusual B．usual C．common D．ordinary
A．bikes B．ships C．planes D．rockets
A．completely B．continuously C．frequently D．fully
A．important B．funny C．common D．simple
A．dependence B．independence C．selfishness D．self-confidence
A．nor B．but C．and D．or even
A．take B．receive C．accept D．follow
A．most B．worst C．best D．least
I was feeling a little blue. My mother had been laid off from her job, but she said she was OK since her boss wasn't the nicest person 36 .
I got off the college bus and started walking. That's 37 I heard piano music and singing rising above the 38 of the people and the traffic. I walked a little slower 39 I could find out where it was coming from. 40 the crowd I saw a young lady sitting at a piano with a 41 next to her, singing songs about love. The way she was singing 42 me a bit. I stood there watching her 43 for about fifteen minutes, thinking that it must take 44 to perform on her own in public.
Feeling my presence, she looked in my 45 . I walked over and put some money in her carriage. “I have been going through a 46 time lately, but you’ve made me hopeful again.”
"I'm happy that I could 47 . Why are you so sad?"
"Well, my mum had got 48 from her job, but I’m not sure what to do….”
"You see, the way you were 49 ," she explained. “Don't look defeated, 50 come in different ways. If your head is down you might never see it. Smile more ... 51 your head up."
I smiled slightly, amazed by how she was 52 me.
“Why are you playing here?” I asked.
“I am not making music. I study psychology. I often see many 53 people and hope to relieve their 54 and make them think positively by sharing music.”
I smiled a little wider. She was doing a good thing. My heart was touched by a 55 soul.
A．instead B．somehow C．anyway D．either
A．since B．when C．before D．after
A．noise B．view C．scene D．hurry
A．but B．yet C．or D．so
A．Across B．Along C．Beside D．Through
A．plate B．carriage C．basket D．bowl
A．discouraged B．disturbed C．shocked D．comforted
A．playing B．begging C．dancing D．refreshing
A．image B．belief C．courage D．time
A．instruction B．direction C．operation D．intention
A．peaceful B．nice C．rough D．pleasure
A．work B．improve C．stand D．help
A．lost B．fired C．stuck D．tired
A．sighing B．listening C．walking D．talking
A．Opportunities B．Possibilities C．Performances D．Experiences
A．drop B．lift C．pick D．knock
A．depressing B．encouraging C．frightening D．surprising
A．active B．thoughtful C．negative D．surprising
A．pain B．sight C．respect D．attention
A．classical B．serious C．curious D．musical