I used to believe in the American Dream, which meant a job, a mortgage (按揭), credit cards, success. I wanted it and worked toward it like everyone else, all of us 36 chasing the same thing.
One year, through a series of unhappy events, it all fell 37 . I found myself homeless and alone. I had my truck and $56. I 38 the countryside for some place I could rent for the 39 possible amount. I came upon a shabby house four miles up a winding mountain road 40 the Potomac River in West Virginia. It was 41 , full of broken glass and rubbish. I found the owner, rented it, and 42 a corner to camp in.
The locals knew nothing about me, 43 slowly, they started teaching me the 44 of being a neighbor. They dropped off blankets, candles, and tools, and began 45 around to chat. They started to teach me a belief in a 46 American Dream—not the one of individual achievement but of 47 .
What I had believed in, all those things I thought were 48 for a civilized life, were nonexistent in this place. 49 on the mountain, my most valuable possessions were my 50 with my neighbors.
Four years later, I moved back into 51 . I saw many people were having a really hard time, 52 their job
s and homes. I managed to rent a big enough house to 53 a handful of people. There are four of us now in the house, but over time I’ve had nine people come in and move on to other places. We’d all be in 54 if we hadn’t banded together.
The American Dream I believe in now is a shared one. It’s not so much about what I can get for myself;
it’s about 55 we can all get by together.
36. A. separately B. equally C. violently D. naturally
37. A. off B. apart C. over D. out
38. A. crossed B. left C. toured D. searched
39. A. fullest B. largest C. fairest D. cheapest
40. A. at B. through C. over D. round
41. A. occupied B. abandoned C. emptied D. robbed
42. A. turned B. approached C. cleared D. cut
43. A. but B. although C. otherwise D. for
44. A. benefit B. lesson C. nature D. art
45. A. sticking B. looking C. swinging D. turning
46. A. wild B. real C. different D. remote
47. A. neighborliness B. happiness C. friendliness D. kindness
48. A. unique B. expensive C. rare D. necessary
49. A. Up B. Down C. Deep D. Along
50. A. cooperation B. relationships C. satisfaction D. appointments
51. A. reality B. society C. town D. life
52. A. creating B. losing C. quitting D. offering
53. A. put in B. turn in C. take in D. get in
54. A. yards B. shelters C. camps D. cottages
55. A. when B. what C. whether D. how