Even though it was only October, my students were already whispering about Christmas plans. With each passing day everyone became more anxious, waiting for the final school bell. Upon its 1 everyone would run for their coats and go home, everyone except David
David was a small boy in ragged clothes. I had often wondered what kind of home life David had, and what kind of mother could send her son to school dressed so 2 for the cold winter months, without a coat, boots, or gloves. But something made David 3. I can still remember he was always 4 a smile and willing to help. He always stayed after school to straighten chairs and mop the floor. We never talked much. He 5 just simply smile and ask what else he could do, then thank me for letting him stay and slowly head for home
Weeks passed and the 6 over the coming Christmas grew into restlessness until the last day of school before the holiday break. I smiled in 7 as the last of them hurried out of the door. Turning around I saw David quietly standing by my desk.
“I have something for you.” he said and 8 from behind his back a small box. 9 it to me, he said anxiously, “Open it.” I took the box from him, thanked him and slowly unwrapped it. I lifted the lid and to my surprise saw nothing. I looked at David‘s smiling face and back into the box and said, “The box is nice, David, but it’s 10 .”
“Oh no it isn’t” said David. “It’s full of love. My mum told me before she died that love was something you couldn’t see or touch unless you know it’s there.”
Tears filled my eyes 11I looked at the proud dirty face that I had rarely given attention to. After that Christmas, David and I became good friends and I never forgot the meaning 12 the little empty box set on my desk.
1. A. warning B. ringing C. calling D. yelling
2. A. modestly B. naturally C. inaccurately D. inappropriately
3. A. popular B. upset C. special D. funny
4. A. expressing B. delivering C. wearing D. sharing
5. A. would B. should C. might D. could
6. A. argument B. excitement C. movement D. judgment
7. A. relief B. return C. vain D. control
8. A. searched B. found C. raised D. pulled
9. A. Holding B. Handing C. Sending D. Leaving
10. A. cheap B. empty C. useless D. improper
11. A. as B. until C. because D. though
12. A. from B. behind C. over D. towards