Forty years ago, I was a boy of eight. At that time, if I cleaned the hockey (曲棍球) field near my home and ___36_____ an empty envelope with an extra ____37____, I would get a photo of a hockey player. Hockey was my __38_____ sport. I wanted the photos of all my heroes, especially the numbers of the Boston Bruins.
“Micha
el! You’re going to put us in the poor house __39___ stamps and envelopes.” My mum __40___me. “But, Mum! I want to get the whole set, ___41____ all the Boston players.” Mum said, “Write the ___42____ neatly, so that it gets to the right place.”
When I finished, I put t
he envelope in the __43____ the next day. Each day after, I’d ask, “Mum, did it come yet?” “Michael, we just mailed it off. Be ___44___.”
A week later, when I opened the door, on the table was a brown __45____ addressed to me. My heart skipped a beat. It was the first mail I ever __46___. Inside was a photo waiting for my ___47____ hands to take out. I ___48____ the envelope, ran to my room, and opened it with shaking hands. There it was. I did get a ___49___ of the Bruins’ highest scorer---Phil Esposito.
For weeks, I had cleaned the hockey field. In the __50___ of collecting the photos, I was making the field a __51____ place. Every week, I received an envelope. My collection __52_____. If I received a photo I already had, I’d take it to school and share with best school friends. My collection was ___53___ when the hockey season drew to a close. I was so ____54___ to have all the photos of the Boston Bruins.
I now still have those photos. As I look through them, I think the photos are my ___55___. And I understand: if you want something, you have to be dedicated (投入的), and you have to work for it.
36. A. found B. borrowed C. mailed D. unfolded
37. A. stamp B. note C. advertisement D. notice
38. A. ordinary B. unforgettable C. original D. favorite
39. A. making B. buying C. drawing D. sticking
40. A. scolded B. praised C. suggested D. informed
41. A. totally B. briefly C. simply D. especially
42. A. homework B. address C. sentence D. number
43. A. drawer B. schoolbag C. mailbox D. cupboard
44. A. positive B. generous C. patient D. silent
45. A. envelope B. parcel C. toy D. case
46. A. posted B. invited C. prepared D. received
47. A. frozen B. eager C. painful D. dirty
48. A. caught B. left C. tore D. threw
49. A. signature B. request C. performance D. picture
50. A. face B. process C. light D. form
51. A. richer B. noisier C. cleaner D. larger
52. A. remained B. increased C. disappeared D. improved
53. A. complete B. limited C. available D. different
54. A. concerned B. calm C. curious D. proud
55. A. choice B. success C. reward D. skill