“Tell me what you were like when you were my age,” I asked my mother one afternoon. She looked up, 16 at my question. After a long time she answered, “I was 17 like you. Then, there was only one 18 for girls — being a hard-working 19. To tell the truth, it is 20 for me to tell you that I 21 my mother when I was growing up. I did so much for her. Besides doing lots of housework, every night I 22 go into my parents’ bedroom, and wash their feet with warm water. Not once did my mother ever said, ‘thank you’."
I stared out of the window, remembering 23 I grew up, always wanting to hear a word of 24 from her, but getting only the rule and 25 I could never live up to (做到). I remembered the years when she 26 me to get up at six every morning and cook breakfast for the family before leaving for school. 27, I remembered the times she’d 28 me to other girls who were as old as me and found me 29.
“Nothing was ever 30 enough for my mother,’’ continued my mother, “ but now I know she did 51 me, even if she never said so. I told you this just for a 32. Yes, I love all my children, but you are my first child, the first in 33 to me. I have been very strict and hard on you, but I 34 you in the only way I knew. I am 35 proud of you.”
16. A. excited B. angry C. disappointed D. surprised
17. A. ever B. mostly C. never D. once
18. A. entertainment B. career C. dream D. concern
19. A. woman B. worker C. wife D. student
20. A. comfortable B. proud C. shameful D. silly
21. A. hated B. loved C. respected D. forgave
22. A. would B. should C. could D. might
23. A. where B. how C. before D. when
24. A. honesty B. use C. importance D. praise
25. A. promise B. order C. expectation D. curiosity
26. A. made B. encouraged C. forced D. advised
27. A. Least of all B. After all C. Most of all D. In all
28. A. compared B. matched C. explained D. introduced
29. A. useless B. lacking C. better D. foolish
30. A. interesting B. bad C. modern D. good
31. A. support B. love C. honour D. ignore
32. A. reason B. explanation C. excuse D. consideration
33. A. something B. anything C. nothing D. everything
34. A. helped B. taught C. raised D. affected
35. A. slightly B. generally C. actually D. gradually