My husband and I insisted that our children were old enough to clean their rooms and make their beds. But they thought 41 . My complaints, even self-justified shouting, were always landing on 42 ears. Very often a whole hour’s scolding would end with their 43 into tears, I felt very frustrated. I realized I needed to 44 my method of “mothering”.
One day when they were at school, I spent some time 45 their rooms. On their desks, in plain 46 , I left the cards: “Dear Bill (the other card was 47 to Sarah), your room was messy this morning and I’m sure you like it clean. Love, the Room Fairy.” 48 arriving back, the children were 49 excited to receive the little note from the Room Fairy. The next day, their rooms were fairly tidy. Sure enough, there was another note from the Room Fairy __50 for them, thanking them for their nice “gift” of a clean room and 51 asking them to play a certain violin 52 . Each day, thank--you notes would be written differently to keep the ideas 53 .
Sometimes the Room Fairy would propose a little 54 : “If you can finish your homework and 55 your lessons before dinner, I’ d like to watch a particular television program with you tonight.” Sometimes some colored markers or other little items would be left in 56 of well done jobs the day 57 .
58 I can’t remember how long “the Room Fairy” continued leaving her love notes. When they were age appropriate, we used various versions of Post-Its(贴条). The bathroom mirror became the 59 centre of our home. Appointments, notices about visiting relatives, lesson schedules, and changes in plans could be posted.
We all benefited from and 60 the idea of sharing reminders and daily details of life through notes. I believe the true advantage of the Room Fairy notes survives in our frequent and enjoyable communication.
41. A. indifferently B. gratefully C. doubtfully D. otherwise
42. A. side B. deaf C. nei
ther D. either
43. A. crying B. breaking C. bursting D. bumping
44. A. adjust B. adopt C. access D. addict
45. A. clearing B. tidying C. emptying D. searching
46. A. distance B. words C. speech D. sight
47. A. sent B. read C. delivered D. addressed
48. A. As B. At C. In D. Upon
49. A. more than B. rather than C. no more than D. other than
50. A. asking B. waiting C. praying D. expecting
51. A. politely B. happily C. gently D. toughly
52. A. music B. song C. piece D. tone
53. A. respectable B. uninteresting C. incredible D. fresh
54. A. challenge B. question C. suggestion D. advice
55. A. go with B. look up C. go over D. look into
56. A. response B. answer C. praise D. honor
57. A. ahead B. before C. over D. ago
58. A. Actually B. Even so C. Even if D. Though
59. A. life B. main C. memory D. reminder
60. A. learned B. appreciated C. shared D. Thanked