It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a small town where my twenty-seven third graders eagerly
36 the great day of gift-giving in advance.
Each day the children produced some new
37 — strings of popcorn, handmade trinkets, and German bell. Through it all she remained alone,
38 from a distance, seemingly miles away. I wondered what
39 happen to this quiet child, once so happy, now suddenly so withdrawn. I hoped the festivities would
40 her. But nothing did. The students made the fried marbles（油炸玻璃弹子）and competed with one anther to bring the
41 ones.
The day of gift-giving finally came. We cheered over our handiwork as the presents were
42 . All along, she sat quietly watching. To see her smile, I had made a special bag for her. She opened it so slowly and carefully. I waited but she
43 . I had not passed through the wall of isolation she had
44 around herself.
After school I sat down in a chair, hardly
45 of what was happening, when she came to me with outstretched hands, bearing a small white box, and slightly soiled,
46 it had been held many times by
47 , childish hands. She said nothing. “For me?” I asked. She said not a word, but
48 her head. I took the box and cautiously opened it. There inside, glistening green, a fried marble
49 from a golden chain. Then I looked into that eight-year-old
50 and saw the question in her dark brown eyes. In a flash I knew — she had
51 it for her mother, who had died just three weeks before and would never hold her or brush her hair or
52 her childish joys or sorrows.
I meant it when I whispered, “Oh, Maria, it is so beautiful. Your mother would
53 it.” Neither of us could stop the
54 . She threw herself into my arms and we wept together. And for that brief moment I became her mother, for she had given me the greatest
55 of all: her trust and love.
| 小题1: | | A．prepared | B．reserved | C．expected | D．waited |
|
| 小题2: | | A．fancies | B．impressions | C．wonders | D．possessions |
|
| 小题3: | | A．looking | B．playing | C．searching | D．watching |
|
| 小题4: | | A．would | B．should | C．must | D．needed |
|
| 小题5: | | A．attend to | B．appeal to | C．listen to | D．object to |
|
| 小题6: | | A．prettiest | B．wisest | C．heaviest | D．naughtiest |
|
| 小题7: | | A．transformed | B．informed | C．exchanged | D．deserted |
|
| 小题8: | | A．gave away | B．threw away | C．carried away | D．turned away |
|
| 小题9: | | A．built | B．adjusted | C．offered | D．filled |
|
| 小题10: | | A．afraid | B．aware | C．content | D．fond |
|
| 小题11: | | A．when | B．while | C．as though | D．even if |
|
| 小题12: | | A．untouched | B．unknown | C．unwashed | D．unpacked |
|
| 小题13: | | A．nodded | B．raised | C．dropped | D．turned |
|
| 小题14: | | A．protected | B．hung | C．held | D．escaped |
|
| 小题15: | | A．face | B．cheek | C．hair | D．forehead |
|
| 小题16: | | A．bought | B．exchanged | C．made | D．stole |
|
| 小题17: | | A．appreciate | B．enjoy | C．communicate | D．share |
|
| 小题18: | | A．love | B．benefit | C．dislike | D．need |
|
| 小题19: | | A．laugh | B．excitement | C．tears | D．description |
|
| 小题20: | | A．joy | B．identity | C．contribution | D．gift |
|