One night, when I was eight, my mother gently asked me a question I would never forget. “Sweetie, my company wants to 41 me but needs me to work in Brazil. This is like your teacher telling that you’ve done 42 and allowing you to skip a grade(跳级), but you’ll have to 43 your friends. Would you say yes to your teacher?” She gave me a hug and asked me to think about it. I was puzzled. The question kept me 44 for the rest of the night. I had said “yes” but for the first time, I realized the 45 decisions adults had to make.
For almost four years, my mother would call us from Brazil every day. Every evening I’d 46 wait for the phone to ring and then tell her every detail of my day. A phone call, however, could never replace her 47 and it was difficult not to feel lonely at times.
During my fourth-grade Christmas break, we flew to Rio to visit her. Looking at her large 48 apartment, I became 49 how lonely my mother must have been in Brazil herself. It was then 50 I started to appreciate the tough choices she had to make on 51 family and work. 52 difficult decisions, she used to tell me, you wouldn’t know whether you make the right choice, but you could always make the best out of the situation, with passion and a 53 attitude.
Back home, I 54 myself that what my mother could do, I could, too. If she 55 to live in Rio all by herself, I, too, could learn to be 56 . I learn how to take care of myself and set high but achievable 57.
My mother is now back with us. But I will never forget what the 58 has really taught me. Sacrifices 59 in the end. The separation between us has proved to be 60 for me.
41. A. attract B. praise C. surprise D. promote
42. A. well B. much C. little D. wrong
43. A. contact B. refuse C. leave D. forgive
44. A. wondering B. sleeping C. explaining D. regretting
45. A. tough B. timely C. final D. poor
46. A. nervously B. politely C. eagerly D. curiously
47. A. patience B. influence C. intelligence D. presence
48. A. empty B. expensive C. comfortable D. modern
49. A. interested in B. satisfied with C. doubtful D. aware of
50. A. when B. that C. which D. where
51. A. abandoning B. mixing C. comparing D. balancing
52. A. Faced with B. Supplied with C. Depending on D. Insisting on
53. A. positive B. friendly C. different D. general
54. A. criticized B. reminded C. warned D. informed
55. A. attempted B. offered C. managed D. expected
56. A. independent B. energetic C. grateful D. practical
57. A. examples B. goals C. rules D. limits
58. A. question B. occasion C. history D. experience
59. A. run out B. come back C. pay off D. turn up
60. A. failure B. gathering C. blessing D. pleasure