When I was 8, a gentleman came to my orphanage（孤儿院）and taught us how to do woodworking projects.
I remember my first project—a small table. I was so 21 of it that I looked upon it as if I had created a(an) 22 . It was absolutely beautiful and it had taken me six weeks to 23 it. I could hardly wait to give it to Mother Winters as a 24 . She was the head mistress of our orphanage, who was always 25 with us.
As the tables were not dry from the clear coating, the man told us to wait a few days before taking them to our dormitories. But I was just so 26 and happy that I couldn’t wait. I dashed out like a 27, carrying my table, smiling from ear to ear.
When I reached the dormitory I placed the little table beside my bed. I was 28 it when Mother Winters entered. She walked over to the table. Running her hand 29 it, she noticed that it was still wet.
“Were you 30 to bring this home?” she asked.
“No, ma’am,” I 31 with my head down.
She ordered me to throw the table out and so I did. After she left, I immediately opened the door to get it back. There was 32 stuck all over. I brushed and cried, but it would not come off.
I hid the table in my closet and never 33 it. A year later while cleaning up, I gave the table to Mother Henderson, my houseparent（宿管员）, thinking that she would 34 it away.
Thirty years later at a reunion, I 35 that Mother Henderson was living nearby, so I drove up to see her. We talked cheerfully for long. As I was about to leave, she asked me to come down to her 36 to get something important. I followed her 37 into a dark corner. She picked something up. 38 she turned around, I could see that she was holding a little table.
Mother Henderson kept the little table that I had given up for lost so long ago.
Today, I look at that table with bittersweet memories but full of 39 to Mother Henderson, who kept it for a young orphan who tried very hard to 40 .
21. A. tired B. ashamed C. proud D. aware
22. A. award B. wonder C. record D. product
23. A. design B. invent C. paint D. complete
24. A. gift B. reward C. prize D. souvenir
25. A. satisfied B. strict C. patient D. angry
26. A. upset B. amazed C. confident D. excited
27. A. thief B. hero C. sword D. flash
28. A. drying B. observing C. admiring D. hiding
29. A. into B. across C. above D. after
30. A. supposed B. embarrassed C. encouraged D. determined
31. A. agreed B. sighed C. whispered D. argued
32. A. dirt B. glue C. paint D. wood
33. A. removed B. touched C. shook D. split
34. A. put B. give C. take D. throw
35. A. learned B. expected C. remembered D. recommended
36. A. bathroom B. balcony C. basement D. bedroom
37. A. curiously B. unwillingly C. doubtfully D. worriedly
38. A. Before B. Since C. As D. Until
39. A. admiration B. gratitude C. sympathy D. regret
40. A. adapt B. study C. perform D. please