阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The Value of an Hour
It was Thanksgiving morning. In the crowded kitchen of my small home I was busy preparing the traditional Thanksgiving turkey the doorbell rang. I opened the front door and saw two small children in clothes and thin little sandals(凉鞋), staying together at the door on the top step.
“Any old ， lady？” asked one of them.
I was . I wanted to say “no” until my eye their sandals, which were wet with heavy snow.
“ and I’ll make you a cup of hot cocoa.”
They walked and sat down at the table. Their wet sandals left marks upon the . I served them cocoa and bread with jam to fight the freezing cold outside. I went back to the kitchen and started again on my household budget for Thanksgiving Day.
The silence in the front room struck me. I looked in. The girl held the empty cup in her hands, looking at it. The boy asked in a flat voice，“Lady, are you ？”
I looked at my old sofa covers. The girl put her cup back in its saucer(托盘) and said, “Your cups match your saucers.” Her voice was with a need that no amount of food could supply. They left after that， their papers against the wind. They hadn’t said “Thank you.” They didn’t need to. They had me that I had so much for which to be grateful. Plain blue china cups and saucers were worth five pence. But they matched.
I tasted the potatoes and the meat soup. Potatoes and brown meat soup, a roof over our heads, my man with a good steady job—these ，too.
I moved the chairs back from the fire and the living room. The muddy(沾上泥的) of small sandals were still wet upon my floor. Let them be for a while, I thought, just in case I should begin to how rich I am.
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There was once a man who met with a shipwreck(船只失事) and landed on a deserted island.Every day he prayed，____ someone could pass and rescue him，but to his ____，no one ever came.
Months went by and this man learned to ___ food and firewood from the island and stored them in a hut(棚屋) that he constructed，which helped him ____ on the deserted island.One day when he ____ his hut after hunting for food，____，he saw his hut was on fire，along with everything else he had!
All of his ____ were going up in smoke！The only thing ____ was the clothes on his back.At first he was ___，frozen there and then he was filled with ____！He threw a fist into the air and began yelling, “How unfair！How could this ____ to me？I’ve been praying every day for months but now everything that I have is on fire！”
Later the man grew so ____ that he fell on his hands and knees weeping heavily when he happened to look up and ____ a ship coming in his direction.The man was ____.As they were heading back to civilization，the man asked the captain, “How were you able to ____ me？” The captain ____，“We were voyaging across the ocean when a cloud of ____ going up caught our attention.We ____ to go check it out and that’s when we found you！”
In life we will always be ___ with challenges，problems，and disasters.Always keep in mind that a disaster can sometimes be good ____ in disguise(掩盖)．
A．realizing B．imagining C．hoping D．doubting
A．excitement B．disappointment C．amazement D．embarrassment
A．collect B．receive C．order D．share
A．survive B．suffer C．adapt D．develop
A．visited B．put up C．returned to D．passed
A．naturally B．unexpectedly C．instead D．anyway
A．preparations B．preferences C．feelings D．possessions
A．left B．valued C．lost D．moved
A．touched B．shocked C．bored D．confused
A．anger B．pain C．fear D．shame
A．open B．object C．happen D．appeal
A．unreasonable B．tired C．weak D．desperate
A．spotted B．sought C．caught D．searched
A．rescued B．protected C．rewarded D．welcomed
A．trust B．keep C．seize D．find
A．declared B．explained C．analysed D．added
A．light B．smoke C．water D．sound
A．forgot B．continued C．pretended D．decided
A．supplied B．satisfied C．faced D．equipped
A．experience B．luck C．information D．progress
Most people give little thought to the pens they write with，especially since the printers in modern homes and offices mean that very ____things are handwritten.All too often，people buy a pen based only on ____，and wonder why they are not satisfied ___ they begin to use it.However，buying a pen that you’ll enjoy is not ____ if you keep the following in mind.
First of all，a pen should fit comfortably in your hand and be __5__ to use.The thickness of the pen is the most important characteristic(特征)____ comfort.Having a small hand and thick fingers，you may be comfortable with a thin pen.If you have a ____ hand and thicker fingers you may ____a fatter pen.The length of a pen can ____ influence comfort.A pen that is too ____ can easily feel topheavy and unstable.
Then，the writing point of the pen should ____ the ink to flow evenly(均匀地) while the pen remains in touch with the paper.____ will make it possible for you to create a ____ line of writing.The point should also be sensitive enough to ____ink from running when the pen is lifted.A point that does not block the ____ may leave drops of ink，____ you pick the pen up and put it down again.
___，the pen should make a thick，dark line.Fineline pens may ____ bad handwriting，but fine，delicate lines do not command ____ next to printed text，as，____，a signature on a printed letter.A broader line，on the other hand，gives an impression of confidence and authority(权威)．
A．many B．few C．pleasant D．important
A．looks B．reason C．value D．advantages
A．once B．if C．because D．though
A．convenient B．practical C．strange D．difficult
A．heavy B．easy C．hard D．safe
A．taking B．finding C．determining D．seeking
A．stronger B．weaker C．smaller D．larger
A．prefer B．recommend C．prepare D．demand
A．hardly B．also C．never D．still
A．thick B．light C．long D．soft
A．change B．allow C．reduce D．press
A．They B．One C．This D．Some
A．thin B．rough C．black D．smooth
A．prevent B．free C．protect D．remove
A．way B．sight C．flow D．stream
A．so B．as C．and D．yet
A．Meanwhile B．Generally C．Afterwards D．Finally
A．show up B．differ from C．break down D．compensate for
A．attention B．support C．respect D．admission
A．at most B．for example C．in brief D．on purpose
When I was a small child，during the war，we were very poor and we lived in a faraway village.One day，on the road，I found the ____ pieces of a mirror.There was a motorcycle accident.
I ____ to find all the pieces and put them ____，but it was not possible，so I used only the ___ piece and I made it round.I could ____ with it as a toy and became greatly attracted by the ____ that I could reflect light to dark places where the sun would never shine—in ____ holes and some other dark places.It became a game for me to ____ light into the darkest places I could find.
I ____ the little mirror，and，as I grew up，I would take it out ____ I had nothing to do and ____ the game.As I became a man，I grew to realize that this was not ____ a child’s game but a metaphor(暗喻) for what I might ____ my life.I came to ____ that I am not the light or the source of light.But light—truth，understanding，knowledge—is there，and it will shine in many dark places ____ I reflect it.
I am just a single piece of a mirror whose ____ design and shape I do not know.___，with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this ____—into the black places in the ____ of men—and change some things in some people.Perhaps others may see and do the same.This is what I am about.This is the ____ of my life.
A．broken B．wasted C．painted D．sharpened
A．pretended B．tried C．demanded D．hated
A．back B．down C．together D．aside
A．lightest B．longest C．hardest D．largest
A．talk B．play C．deal D．share
A．suggestion B．fact C．decision D．reason
A．deep B．big C．bright D．empty
A．attract B．show C．get D．bring
A．kept B．cut C．used D．mended
A．until B．before C．when D．after
A．watch B．continue C．remember D．change
A．just B．wholly C．really D．even
A．get from B．owe to C．tell about D．do with
A．announce B．doubt C．understand D．expect
A．so that B．now that C．even if D．only if
A．whole B．unique C．special D．other
A．Otherwise B．However C．Besides D．Therefore
A．country B．village C．world D．city
A．hands B．brains C．eyes D．hearts
A．way B．standard C．quality D．meaning
I used to be ashamed of my grandma.I know that’s a ____ thing to say，but it was true until today，so I have to ___ it.
The ____ started when my friend Katy found Grandma’s false teeth floating in a glass on the bathroom sink.I was so used to seeing them that I ____ took notice of them.But Katy shouted，laughing and ___to talk to them.I had to get down on my knees and ___ her to shut up so my grandma wouldn’t ___ and get hurt.
After that happened，I ____ there were a million things about Grandma that were embarrassing.
Once she took Jill and me out to Burger King.____ ordering our hamburgers welldone，she told the person behind the counter，“They’ll have two Whoppers(巨无霸) welltodo.” Jill burst out laughing，but I almost ____.
After a while，I started wishing I could ___ Grandma in a closet.I even complained to my parents.Both my parents said I had to be careful not to make Grandma feel ____ in our home.
Then last Wednesday，something happened that ____ everything completely.My teacher told us to help find interesting old people and ____ them about their ____ for a big Oral History project.I was trying to think of someone when Angie pushed me gently.
“Volunteer your grandmother，” she whispered.“She’s ___ and rich in experience.”
That was the last thing I ever thought Angie would say about my grandma.
This is how I ended up on ____ today interviewing my own grandmother before the whole school assembly(集合)．All my friends and teachers were listening to her ____ she was a great heroine.I was ____ of my grandma and hoped she would ____ know that I had been ashamed of her.
A．funny B．common C．terrible D．clear
A．admit B．receive C．refuse D．show
A．quarrel B．accident C．trouble D．adventure
A．already B．always C．simply D．hardly
A．enjoying B．pretending C．imagining D．continuing
A．warn B．demand C．advise D．beg
A．mind B．hear C．see D．fall
A．expected B．declared C．realized D．doubted
A．Because of B．Except for C．Such as D．Instead of
A．died B．cheered C．disappeared D．suffered
A．meet B．avoid C．arrange D．hide
A．independent B．inconvenient C．unwelcome D．unfamiliar
A．changed B．finished C．stopped D．prepared
A．interview B．report C．tell D．write
A．news B．lives C．advantages D．achievements
A．free B．popular C．interesting D．embarrassing
A．show B．stage C．duty D．time
A．and then B．even if C．so that D．as if
A．sure B．proud C．ashamed D．afraid
A．never B．even C．still D．once
I have two really good friends，Nancy and Richard.They both believe in the ____ of positive thinking.However，though their personalities are ____，they are totally different in other areas of their lives.The biggest differences are their ___，career choice，and way of life.
Love and concern ___ Nancy’s childhood.She，along with her younger sister，was ____ by her mother and father.Nancy’s parents were __6__ in her schoolwork，making her excellent at school.On the other hand，Richard’s childhood lacked love.His parents __ him up to his grandparents when they failed to take care of him ____.His grandmother took care of him for most of his growing up years.___，since his sister did not live with him，he never really got to ____ her.
Another difference is their career choice.Nancy has always been a ____ and made a choice to work in a variety of different ____ settings：doctor’s offices，hospitals，nursing homes and a visiting nurse.Her ____ part was working with pediatrics(小儿科)．However，Richard ____ to work in the business world.He prefers to work with ____ rather than with people.
A third difference is their ____.Nancy is always on the go.She goes to yard sales，out to eat，and enjoys nature.She is ____；has five children，thirteen grandchildren，several greatgrandchildren.____，Richard likes to stay home and do things alone.He is single and has no children.
I am very ____ for the fact that I have two similar yet very different friends，Nancy and Richard.This has ____ me that anyone can be a positive thinker.And it is also what makes my friendship with both of them very intriguing(有趣的) and challenging.
A．energy B．power C．ability D．effort
A．strong B．special C．impressive D．similar
A．childhood B．education C．appearance D．religion
A．confirmed B．filled C．influenced D．controlled
A．spoiled B．moved C．raised D．deserted
A．absorbed B．interested C．involved D．stuck
A．took B．picked C．called D．gave
A．carefully B．properly C．strictly D．firmly
A．Moreover B．However C．Instead D．Therefore
A．visit B．touch C．phone D．know
A．follower B．receiver C．caretaker D．leader
A．medical B．physical C．political D．chemical
A．difficult B．complete C．favorite D．natural
A．agreed B．refused C．chose D．remembered
A．machines B．exhibitions C．agreements D．coins
A．hobby B．custom C．habit D．lifestyle
A．beautiful B．independent C．famous D．married
A．After all B．In contrast C．In a word D．In the end
A．anxious B．thankful C．sorry D．ready
A．reminded B．persuaded C．taught D．acknowledged