Question

People from every corner flooded into the streets that Christmas Eve. Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bell

____ in stores; on the pavements, the street singers performed happily. Everyone was ______ by someone else, delighted and cheerful. I was alone.

As one of 8 kids of a Brazilian family, brought up in an American’s crowded apartment, I’d spent several years searching for aloneness. Now, ______, at 27, a college student after the ______ with my girlfriend, every cell inside me wanted to be alone, ______ not at Christmas. My family had ______ to Brazil and my friends were ______ with their own lives. Dusk was approaching, and the fact that I had to return to my

____ home made me sad. Lights from windows blinked, and I hoped someone would ______ from one of those homes to invite me inside with a Christmas tree decorated with shiny fake snow and ______ presents.

At a market, I felt more ______ when people were buying lots of goods, which ______ the gifts we received as children in my mind. I missed my family and wanted to cry for wanting to be alone and for having achieved it.

Outside the church, a manger(馬槽) had been set ______. I stood with others watching the scene, some of them ______ themselves, praying. As I walked home, I realized that leaving Brazil was still a painful experience as I struggled with ______ I had become in 15 years in America. I’d mourned the ______, but for the first time, I recognized what I’d gained. I was independent, ______ and healthy. My life was still ahead, full of ______.

Sometimes the best gift is the one that you give yourself. That Christmas, I gave myself ______ for what I’d obtained up to now and promise to go forward. It is the best gift I’ve ever got, the one that I most ______

1.A. shared B. played C. served D. held

2.A. accompanied B. employed C. attended D. supported

3.A. usually B. extremely C. really D. eventually

4.A. breakup B. date C. sympathy D. concern

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

6.A. moved B. slipped C. came D. returned

7.A. pleased B. satisfied C. occupied D. bored

8.A. shabby B. empty C. warm D. cozy

9.A. turn up B. hang out C. go away D. break in

10.A. dealt B. discounted C. wrapped D. donated

11.A. tired B. nervous C. excited D. upset

12.A. called up B. called for C. called on D. called in

13.A. down B. up C. aside D. about

14.A. hugging B. bowing C. crossing D. bending

15.A. how B. which C. what D. that

16.A. cases B. limits C. losses D. worries

17.A. lonely B. educated C. shy D. wealthy

18.A. possibility B. sight C. sadness D. hardship

19.A. surprise B. defeat C. prize D. praise

20.A. select B. value C. save D. admit

Answer 1