It's fourteen years since I left the Philippines to live with my family in the USA. A month ago, while on summer vacation back in my motherland, I learned a lesson from mosquito（蚊子）bites. Right before 41 Kennedy Airport in New York, my grandma 　42 me of the behavior of the native mosquitoes around the 　43 like me. She said, "There's an old saying—the 　44 you stay away from the motherland, the sweeter your blood 　45 to the mosquitoes. " Not 　46 it, I replied, "Grandma, that's just an old wives' tale!"

Well, less than a week 　47 my arrival in Manila, I was already carpeted with a 　48 of mosquito bites. I took many measures to keep myself from being 　49 , but they all proved useless.

Late one 　50 in my cousin's home, I couldn't bear the 　51 of the bites. Hoping to find some comfort, I 　52 my cousin, who was sleeping peacefully in the bed next to mine. Unhappy for being 　53 　she said, "There is nothing you can do. Go back to sleep. " With a few turns, she slept again. Enviously（妒嫉地） 54 her sleep, I hoped a big mosquito would 　55 on her face. However, the mosquitoes would just lightly dance around her forehead and fly away quickly, never biting her. Amazed（驚奇的）, I ran to others' 　56 , only to find they were all sleeping 　57 as the same thing occurred again and again.

From those bites, I came to 　58 my grandma's silly tale. From then on, I've always tried to keep a（n） 59 mind about those strange old wives' tales 　60 they do have some truth to them.

41. A. leaving　　　　 B. passing　　　 　　C. visiting　　　　　 D. finding

42. A. persuaded　 　 B. reminded　　　　 C. warned　　　　　 D. informed

43. A. students　　　 B. friends　　　　 　 C. passengers　　　 　 D. visitors

44. A. earlier　　 　　　 B. longer　　　　　 C. sooner　　　　　　 D. later

45. A. grows　　　 　 B. goes　　　　　　 C. flows　　　　　　 D. remains

46. A. expecting　 　　　 B. understanding 　　C. recognizing　　　　 D. believing

47. A. after　　　　　 B. before　　　　　 　 C. when　　　　　　 D. as

48. A. shade　　　 　　 B. pile　　　　　　 C. cloud　　　　　　 D. blanket

49. A. touched　　　 B. bitten　　　　 　　 C. defeated　　　　　 D. discovered

50. A. morning　　　 B. afternoon　　　 　　 C. evening　　　　　 D. night

51. A. noise　　　　 　 B. hit　　　　　　 　 C. pain　　　　　　　 D. effect

52. A. woke up　　　 B. shouted at　　　　 C. looked for　　　　 D. dropped on

53. A. blamed　　 　B. interrupted　　　　 C. moved　　　　　 　 D. frightened

54. A. having　　　 　 B. watching　　　　 C. making　　　　　 D. helping

55. A. land　　　 　　 B. fly　　　　　　 　 C. fall　　　　　　　 D. wait

56. A. houses　　　　 B. flats　　　　　　 C. rooms　　　　　　 D. homes

57. A. joyfully　　　 B. anxiously　　　 　　 C. soundlessly　　　　 D. worriedly

58. A. tell　　　　　 B. know　　　　　 　 C. remember　　　 　 D. accept

59. A. open　　　　 B. active　　　　 　　　 C. clear　　　　　　 D. honest

60. A. and　　　　　 B. so　　　　　　　 　 C. because　　　　　 D. until

Nick was not the kind of boy I had expected to spend my summer with. I was hoping to have a  16  the summer before my busy senior year, but my mother asked me to do her a  17. One of her colleagues needed a full-time  18 . “You planned to volunteer at the local hospital, why not volunteer to  19  Nick instead?” Then she told me that this six-year-old boy was not a  20  child.

Nick was a lovely little boy who suffered from many disorders. Normal day-care centres would not  21  him. As a baby, he had serious ear infections which left him with equilibrium（平衡）problems.

He couldn’t  22  or run properly. I was  23  if I was to take the job when my mother 24  , “Don’t you want to be a nurse in the future? I doubt if you even have the  25 .”

Then I told her I was  26  for the job.

The day started at 7:00 a.m. Nick was my wake-up call! With so much energy and very little  27  , he was quite a mix.

At the park, when he saw all the other children play on the jungle gym and swings, the boy’s face  28  up—How he wished he belonged to the group of his age! You would think it would be  29  to get a child to go down a slide. Believe me, it wasn’t! It took time. a lot of time. But with patience and support. Nick took one step up the slide each day. We worked together to face his  30  and gradually he got closer to taking the slide of his life.

Halfway through the summer, he 31 it to the top of the slide. With my arms holding him tightly, we flew down the slide! I waited for his  32  . After realizing that he was safe and sound, he gave me a big 33 and asked, “May I go down again, alone?”

I had never been happier in my life when I saw this little child climb the ladder and enjoy what other children  34  for granted.

This  35  child taught me that being a nurse means respect, kindness and patience.

16. A. grade   B. course       C. project      D. relaxation

17. A. service        B. favour       C. business    D .trade

18. A. nurse   B. waitress     C. guard        D. guide

19. A. protect        B. assist C. attend        D. comfort

20. A. normal        B. naughty     C. clever        D. happy

21. A. admit   B. receive      C. accept       D. adopt

22. A. speak   B. play           C. stand D. walk

23. A. hesitating     B. wondering        C. questioning     D. doubting

24. A. suggested    B. argued       C. challenged          D. commented

25. A. energy        B. courage     C. faith             D. time

26. A. eager   B. sorry C. grateful        D. ready

27. A. awareness   B. balance      C. knowledge           D. control

28. A. delighted     B. cheered     C. lit                  D. shut

29. A. demanding   B. simple       C. interesting     D. flexible

30. A. fears    B. worries      C. chances         D. situations

31. A. climbed       B. got            C. managed        D. made

32. A. laughter      B. reaction     C. answer          D. greeting

33. A. kiss            B. clap           C. welcome       D. surprise

34. A. play    B. do                  C. take             D. enjoy

35. A. miserable     B. smart        C. lucky            D. special

In the city of Fujisawa, Japan, lives a woman named Atsuko Saeki. When she was a teenager, she 　41 of going to the United States. Most of what she knew about American 　42 was from the textbooks she had read. "I had a 　43 in mind: Daddy watching TV in the living room, Mummy 　44 cakes and their teenage daughter off to the cinema with her boyfriend."

Atsuko 　45 to attend college in California. When she arrived, however, she found it was not her 　46 world. "People were struggling with problems and often seemed 　47 ," she said. "I felt very alone."

One of her hardest 　48 was PE. "We played volleyball." she said.

"The other students were 　49 it, but I wasn't."

One afternoon, the instructor asked Atsuko to 　50 the ball to her teammates so they could knock it 　51 the net. NO problem for most people, but it terrified Atsuko. She was afraid of losing face 　52 she failed.

A young man on her team 　53 what she was going through." He walked up to me and ? 54 , 'Come on. You can do that'".

"You will never understand how those words of 　55 made me feel. Four words: You can do that. I felt like crying with happiness."

She made it through the class. Perhaps she thanked the young man; she is not 56 .

Six years have passed. Atsuko is back in Japan, working as a salesclerk. "I have

57 forgotten the words." she said. "When things are not going so well, I think of them."

She is sure the young man had no idea how much his kindness 　58 to her. "He probably doesn't even remember it," she said. That may be the lesson. Whenever you say something to a person cruel or kind----you have no idea how long the words will 　59 . She's all the way over in Japan, but still she hears those four 　60 words: You can do that.

41. A. learned 　　　 B. spoke 　　　 C. dreamed 　 　　 D. heard

42. A. way 　　　　 B. life　 　　　 C. education　 　　 　　　D. spirit

43. A. photo 　　 B. painting 　 C. picture 　　 　　　D. drawing

44. A. baking 　　　 B. frying 　　 C. steaming 　 　　　D. boiling

45. A. hoped 　　　 B. arranged 　 C. liked 　　　　 　　　D. attempted

46. A. described 　B. imagined C. created　 　　　　　 　 D. discovered

47. A. tense 　　　 B. cheerful 　 C. relaxed 　　 　　　 D. deserted

48. A. times 　　　 B. question 　 C. classes 　　 　　　　D. projects.

49. A. curious about　 B. good at 　C. slow at　　　 D. nervous about

50. A. kick 　　　 B. pass　 　 　C. carry 　　　　 D. hit

51. A. through 　　　　 B. into 　　　 C. over 　　　　 D. past

52. A. after B. if　 　　　 C. because 　　　 　　　　 D. until

53. A. believed 　　　 B. considered　　 　　　 C. wondered　　 　D. sensed

54. A. warned 　　　 B. sighed　　 　　　　　 C. ordered　 　　　　 　　　　 D. whispered

55. A. excitement 　 B. encouragement　 　 C. persuasion　　 D. suggestion

56. A. interested　 　　　 B. doubtful　　　 　　 C. puzzled　　　 　　 D. sure

57. A. never　 　　　　 B. already　　　　 　　 C. seldom 　　　　　　 D. almost

58. A. happened 　　　 B. applied　　　 　　　 C. seemed　　　 　　 D. meant

59. A. continue　 　　B. stay　　 　　　　　 C. exist　 　　　　　　 D. live

60. A. merciful　 　　　 B. bitter　　　 　　 C. simple　 　　　　　 D. easy

After the board meeting, Frank began to tell us of his childhood. “I grew up in San Pedro. My dad was a fisherman and had his own 　36 . But it was hard making a living on the sea. He worked hard and would stay out until he 　37 enough to feed the family.”

He looked at us and said, “I 　38 you could have met my dad. He was a big man and strong from pulling the nets and fighting the seas for his catch. When you got close to him, he　 39 like the ocean. He would wear his old canvas, foul-weather coat and overalls with the rain hat　 40 down over his brow. No matter how much my mother washed them, they would still smell of the sea and of fish.”

Frank’s voice 41 a bit as if he were back to his childhood. “When the weather was bad he would drive me to school. His truck was older than he was, which you could hear coming for 42 . As he would drive toward the school, I would shrink down into the seat hoping to 43 .”

“When the truck stopped, it would throw out a cloud of smoke. He would pull right up in front, and it seemed like 　44 would be standing around and watching. Then he would 　45 　and give me a big kiss on the cheek and tell me to be a good boy. It was so 　46 for me at that time.”

He paused and then went on, “I 　47 that day I decided I was too old for a goodbye kiss. When we got to the school, he had his 　48 big smile. He started to lean toward me, 　49 I put my hand up and said, ‘No, Dad.”

“It was the first time I had ever talked to him that way, and he had this 　50 look on his face. My dad looked at me for the longest time, and his eyes started to tear 　51 . I had never seen him cry. He turned and looked out of the windshield. ‘You are right,’ he said, ‘You are a big boy --a man. I won’t kiss you any more.’”

Frank got a funny look on his face, and tears began to well up in his eyes as he spoke. “It wasn’t long 　52 that when my dad went to sea and never came back. It was a day when most of the fleet stayed 　53 but not dad.”

I looked at Frank and saw that tears were running down his cheeks. Frank spoke again, “Guys, you don’t know 　54 I would give to have my dad give me just one more kiss on the cheek ... If I had been a 　 55 , I would never have told my dad I was too old for a goodbye kiss.”

36. A. house　　　　　 B. truck　　　　　　　　　　 C. boat　　　　　　　　　 D. car

37. A. caught　　　　 B. received　　　　　　　　 C. made　　　　　　　　 D. took

38. A. think　　　　　 B. wish　　　　　　　　　　 C. hope　　　　　　　　 D. mean

39. A. looked　　　　 B. tasted　　　　　　　　　　 C. felt　　　　　　　　　　 D. smelled

40. A. pulled　　　　　 B. taken　　　　　　　　　　 C. put　　　　　　　　　　 D. laid

41. A. worked　　　 B. rose　　　　　　　　　　　 C. lost　　　　　　　　　 D. dropped

42. A. blocks　　　　 B. streets　　　　　　　　　 C. hours　　　　　　　　 D. moments

43. A. appear　　　　 B. escape　　　　　　　　　 C. disappear　　　　　 D. flee

44. A. the students B. everybody　　　　　　 C. somebody　　　　　 D. the teachers

45. A. come over　 B. lean over　　　　　　　 C. go over　　　　　　 D. turn over

46. A. exciting　　　 B. frightening　　　　　　 C. embarrassing　　 D. surprising

47. A. remember　　 B. believe　　　　　　　　　 C. think　　　　　　　　 D. imagine

48. A. unusual　　　 B. common　　　　　　　 C. ordinary　　　　　　 D. usual

49. A. and 　　　　　 B. but　　　　　　　　　　　 C. so　　　　　　　　　　 D. therefore

50. A. surprised　　 B. excited　　　　　　　　　 C. moved　　　　　　　 D. worried

51. A. up 　　　　　 B. down　　　　　　　　　　 C. off　　　　　　　　　　 D. away

52. A. since　　　　　 B. before　　　　　　　　　 C. after　　　　　　　　　 D. from

53. A. on 　　　　　 B. in 　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. off　　　　　　　　　　 D. out

54. A. if　 　　　　　 B. that　　　　　　　　　　　 C. which　　　　　　　 D. what

55. A. student　　　　 B. boy　　　　　　　　　　　 C. child　　　　　　　　 D. man

He drove after drinking alcohol, having a severe accident and had to get his arms removed. Since then, he has had to _____36____ on his younger brother, who became his shadow, ___37___ leaving him alone for years. Except for writing with his toes, he was totally unable to do anything else. As the two brothers grew up together, they had their own problems and would often ____38____. Finally, his younger brother went away and lived ___39____, leaving him heartbroken and at a loss what to do.

____40___, a misfortune befell（降臨）a girl. One night she was___41___ dinner when the kerosene light（煤油燈）on the stove was overturned, resulting in a fire which took her hands away. Having decidedly __42____ her sister’s willingness to help her, she determined to be thoroughly ___43____. At school, she always studied hard. Most of all she learned to be self-reliant. “I am lucky. Though my ____44___ are broken, my heart can still fly.” She wrote in her blog.

One day, the young man and the girl were both invited to a（n）___45___ programme. The boy told the television hostess about his ___46___ future, whereas the girl was full of ___47___ for her life. They were both asked to write something on a piece of paper with their ____48___. The boy : My younger brother’s arms are my arms. The girl: Broken wings, flying heart.

They had both gone through the same ordeal（痛苦經歷）, but their different ___49_____ determined their nature of their lives. As seems the case, ___50____disasters can strike our life at any time. How you handle the ___51___ when faced with it is the true test of your character. If you choose to ____52____ or escape from the ordeal, it will  53  you wherever you go. But if you decide to be strong, the ___54____ will turn out to be a fortune on which new ___55____ will arise.

36. A. live                    B. stand                       C. depend                    D. feed

37. A. occasionally       B. forever                     C. always                    D. never

38. A. quarrel               B. share                       C. support                   D. fight

39. A. happily              B. luckily                      C. separately                D. disappointedly

40. A. Unfortunately     B. Unexpectedly            C. Similarly                  D. Naturally

41. A. having               B. serving                     C. expecting                 D. preparing

42. A. turned to            B. turned down             C. turned off                D turned against

43. A. alone                 B. free                         C. independent             D. successful

44. A. arms                 B. wings                      C. dreams                    D. promises

45.A.interview             B. radio                        C. sports                     D. health

46. A. hopeful              B. uncertain                  C. bright                      D. miserable

47. A. calmness           B. enthusiasm               C. patience                   D. excitement

48. A. hands                B. strength                   C. toes                        D. mouths

49. A. characters          B. desires                     C. opinions                  D. attitudes

50. A. unexpected        B. natural                     C. attempted                D. deadly

51. A. emergency         B. misfortune                C. loneliness                 D. experience

52. A. ignore                B. resist                       C. complain                 D. suffer

53. A. take                   B. stop                         C. follow                     D. keep

54. A. decision             B. result                       C. failure                     D. hardship

55. A. solutions            B. ways                       C. rewards                   D. hopes

My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would  21  what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought   22  was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy."  She said, "No. Many people are   23  . But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."

Several years passed   24   she asked me again. Since making my first   25  , I had often thought of the correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes." She looked at me and told me, "You are   26  fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."

27  the years, Mother asked me a couple more   28  and always her answer was, "No, but you are getting   29  every year, my child." Then last year, my Grandpa died. Everybody was heart broken. Everybody was crying. My Mom looked at me when it was our   30   to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"

I was   31   when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a   32  between her and me. She saw the   33   on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really   34  your life." I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your   35  ."  I asked, "Is it because it holds up your head?" She replied, "No, it is   36   on them a crying friend or loved one can rest their head. I only hope that you have enough   37  and friends that you will have a shoulder to cry  38   

when you need it." Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a   39  one. It is sympathetic（有同情心的）to the pain of   40  .

21.  A. notice                 B. believe in C. doubt      D. guess at

22.  A. love             B. health            C. sound     D. sight

23.  A. blind            B. deaf            C. invisible      D. thoughtful

24.  A. while            B. once            C. after          D. before

25. A. discovery            B. decision           C. attempt      D. suggestion

26.  A. learning            B. thinking C. growing     D. changing

27.  A. Before              B. Till              C. Beyond      D. Over

28.  A. ways            B. things          C. questions    D. times

29.  A. stronger           B. taller            C. smarter      D. nicer

30.  A. duty               B. turn           C. pity            D. chance

31.  A. shocked               B. satisfied      C. interested   D. excited

32.  A. game                B. test            C. match     D. secret

33.  A. worry                       B. puzzlement       C. regret  D. pain

34.  A. enjoyed                 B. found       C. disliked      D. lived

35.  A. shoulders             B. feet            C. hands      D. hair

36.  A. how                  B. because      C. why           D. whether

37.  A. respect                 B. favor          C. love           D. fun

38.  A. by                    B. on              C. above      D. for

39.  A. valuable                B. useful      C. selfish     D. precious

40.  A. others                      B. the deaf      C. Grandpa     D. the blind

The date was like any other day in his life. After school Michael walked past the   21    on the street corner. He stopped to look at the front row of shoes. And he felt   22    for himself. He really wanted to have them for his birthday.

　　He   23   walked away and thought of what to tell his mother. He knew she would give  24    he liked if she could. But he also knew very well she had little money. He decided not to go home immediately, as he looked worried，his mother would   25   it. So he went to the park where he sat on the grass. Then he saw a boy in a wheelchair. He noticed that the boy   26   the wheel with his hands. Michael looked at him carefully and was   27   to see that the boy had no feet. He   28   his own feet. “It is much better to be without   29   than without feet.” He thought. There was no reason for him to feel so sorry and sad. He went away and  30  , thinking he was much luckier in life.

21. A. shop            B. factory              C. park                  D. house

22. A. curious        B. sorry                 C. eager         D. glad

23. A. sadly           B. rapidly        C. happily       D. proudly

24. A. something    B. everything         C. nothing      D. anything

25. A. notice          B. find                   C. feel            D. hate

26. A. drove           B. moved        C. pulled  D. carried

27. A. frightened           B. excited              C. surprised    D. delighted

28. A. looked out    B. held out             C. put down   D. looked down

29. A. birthday              B. shoes                C. money       D. wheelchair

30. A. smiled          B. cried                 C. regretted    D. explained

My Fellow American,

I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease（老年癡呆癥）.

Upon learning this news, Nancy & I had to decide whether as private citizens we would  41  this a private matter or we would make this news known in a   42   way.

In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer   43   I had my cancer surgeries（外科手術）. We found through our open disclosures（公開）we were able to   44   public awareness. We were happy that   45   many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to   46   to normal, healthy lives.

So now, we feel it is   47   to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater   48   of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are   49   by it.

At the moment I feel just fine. I   50   to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have   51   done. I will continue to share   52   journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch   53   my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s Disease   54  , the family often suffers a lot. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this   55   experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will   56   it with faith and courage.

In closing let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of   57    me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home,   58   that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and endless optimism for its future.

I now begin this   59   that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright   60   ahead.

Thank you my friends. May God always bless you.

Sincerely,

Ronald Reagan

41. A. stay                    B. keep                        C. hold                         D. pretend

42. A. proper                B. good                        C. public                    D. suitable

43. A. and                    B. but                           C. or                            D. so

44. A. raise                   B. make                       C. take                          D. turn

45. A. by the way          B. on condition            C. in a whole                D. as a result

46. A. repeat                 B. recover                    C. return                      D. replace

47. A. impossible          B. important                 C. pity                         D. obvious

48. A. concern                B. encouragement        C. awareness                 D. decision

49. A. protected            B. affected                    C. examined                 D. controlled

50. A. intend                B. want                        C. love                          D. continue

51. A. finally                B. seldom                     C. always                      D. rarely

52. A. life’s                  B. one’s                       C. other’s                      D. today’s

53. A. for                        B. with                       C. by                            D. on

54. A. progresses           B. cures                    C. removes                   D. advances

55. A. meaningful         B. useful                   C. careful                       D. painful

56. A. treat                   B. see                           C. face                         D. consider

57. A. having                B. allowing                  C. showing                   D. declaring

58. A. whoever             B. wherever                 C. whenever                 D. whatever

59. A. life                    B. road                         C. line                          D. journey

60. A. evening               B. day                         C. night                        D. dawn

Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head.  My Christmas    21   contained several people that claimed they needed nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt   22 I bought them something, so gift buying was   23  but fun.

Hurriedly, I finished shopping and   24  the long checkout lines. In front of me were a boy of about five and a younger girl. She carried a beautiful pair of     25  slippers. When we finally  _ 26  the checkout register, the girl   27  placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a    28  .

“That will be $ 6.09,” the cashier said. The boy    29  his pockets. He finally came up with $ 3.12. “I guess we will have to put them back,” he bravely said. “We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow.” With that statement, a soft  30  broke from the little girl. “But    31   would have loved these shoes,” she cried.

 “Well, we’ll go home and work some more. Don’t cry. We’ll surely   32  ,” he said. Quickly I handed $ 3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And,   33   , it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice   34    said, “Thank you, lady.” “What did you  35  when you said Jesus would like the shoes?” I asked. The boy answered, “Our mommy is sick and going to   36  . Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus.” The girl spoke, “My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won’t mommy be 37   walking on those streets in these shoes?”

My eyes   38  as I looked into her tear-stained face. “Yes,” I answered, “I am   39   she will.” Silently I thanked God for using these children to   40  me of the true spirit of giving I once was familiar with.

21. A. plan      B. list             C. goods        D. purchases

22. A. unless   B. because            C. if                     D. since

23. A. something           B. nothing       C. anything     D. everything

24. A. waited         B. joined         C. attended     D. gathered

25. A. cotton          B. leather        C. gold           D. silver

26. A. approached         B. got             C. checked     D. found

27. A. immediately         B. hesitantly          C. shyly         D. carefully

28. A. gift                     B. treasure      C. life             D. prize

29. A. opened         B. touched      C. reached             D. searched

30. A. tear                    B. sob            C. smile          D. sigh

31. A. mommy       B. daddy         C. we             D. Jesus

32. A. leave                   B. come         C. return               D. arrive

33. A. above all      B. at last         C. at least       D. after all

34. A. gratefully     B. sweetly             C. gracefully          D. kindly

35. A. request               B. expect        C. mean         D. attempt

36. A. hospital               B. tomb          C. heaven              D. sky

37. A. equal                  B. comfortable       C. convenient         D. beautiful

38. A. pained                 B. wetted        C. shut           D. froze

39. A. sure                    B. afraid         C. glad           D. confident

40. A. inform                B. warn          C. cure           D. remind

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma．I remember the day when my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she laughed．"Even dummies know that!"

I fled to Grandma because I knew she always told me  36  ．After I told her everything, she said "No Santa Claus? Don't believe it．Now,   37  your coat, and let's go．"

"Go? Go where?" I asked．

"Where"  38  to be the General Store．As we walked through its doors, Grandma  39  me ten dollars．That was a lot in those days．"Take this money and buy something for  40  who needs it．I'll wait for you in the car．"

The store seemed big and  41  , full of people hurrying to finish their Christmas Shopping．For a few moments I just stood there,  42  , holding that bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for．

Suddenly I thought of Bobbie who sat right behind me．I remembered he didn't have a coat．I fingered the bill with growing  43  ．I would buy Bobbie a coat．

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the  44  asked me kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down．

"Yes," I replied shyly．"It's．．．for Bobbie．"

The nice lady smiled at me．I didn't get any  45  , but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas．

That evening, Grandma helped me  46  the coat and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it．Then she   47   me over to Bobbie's house．

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept （爬）  48  and hid in the  49  ．Then Grandma gave me a sign．"All right, Santa Claus, get going．"

I took a deep  50  , dashed for his front door, threw the present down, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety．Together we  51  breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open．Finally it  52  , and there stood Bobbie．

Forty years haven't dimmed （使變暗淡） the thrill （強烈的興奮） of those  53  spent shivering （顫抖） ,beside my grandma, in Bobbie's bushes． 54  , I realized: Santa was alive and well, and we were   55  his team．

36．A．the reason           B．many things        C．stories                D．the truth

37．A．put on                B．put away            C．put up                D．put down

38．A．used                   B．turned out           C．found out           D．turned up

39．A．lent                    B．took                   C．paid                   D．handed

40．A．anyone               B．one                    C．someone             D．anybody

41．A．crowded             B．varied                 C．noisy                  D．convenient

42．A．satisfied              B．confused            C．curious               D．amazed

43．A．worry                B．disappointment    C．happiness           D．excitement

44．A．counter              B．desk                   C．shelf                  D．goods

45．A．money                B．gifts                   C．change               D．encouragement

46．A．make                  B．wrap                  C．undo                  D．design

47．A．drove                 B．took                   C．led                     D．asked

48．A．quickly               B．painfully             C．nervously           D．noiselessly

49．A．bushes               B．darkness             C．doorway             D．car

50．A．courage              B．look                   C．step                   D．breath

51．A．waited                B．whispered           C．crept                  D．stood

52．A．came                  B．sounded              C．did                     D．appeared

53．A．moments            B．days                   C．time                   D．people

54．A．Today                B．That year            C．That night           D．Since then

55．A．on                      B．for                     C．at                       D．of