I was in my early 20s when I discovered the truth about the perfect Christmas trees my sister and I found each
year in the forest behind my grandparents’ farmhouse.
When we were 41 , Mary and I rode the train 300 miles to Spokane every summer and Christmas 42 . Then we took a taxi and a bus to Moon Lake. We would hop out at the Moon Lake post office, where Granddad and Gammie 43 us with smiling faces.
Christmases were always 44 at Moon Lake, with snow piles deep for building forts. We would play with our grandparents’ pet dog. Little balls of snow 45 from her long fur like Christmas ornaments(装饰品).
But the fondest 46 of all was when Granddad would ride the horse Jenny and we’d walk up the hill into the forest behind their house. We’d 47 the pine trees looking for that 48 one to honor as our Christmas tree. The search always 49 excited chatter, for all three of us had to 50 that we’d found the perfect tree 51 Granddad would swing his ax. Granddad would 52 the cut tree to Jenny and drag it back to the house.
Granddad passed away when my sister and I were grown. Only then did Gammie 53 his secret: He’d plant a tree early each spring, then 54 it through the summer and fall so it would be 55 for our big day in December. As Mary and I raced 56 the trees searching for the perfect tree, he would cleverly 57 us toward its location, without 58 pointing it out.
As Gammie told us this story, we realized that was why she always had that extra happiness in her eyes when we came rushing in the door, full of excitement about 59 this year we’d found the best Christmas tree ever.
Of all the Christmas presents we ever received, none has been more special than the memory of Granddad’s 60 gift. It remains as bright and beautiful as the snow on a clear December day.
41. A. getting up B. growing up C. staying up D. lighting up
42. A. break B. celebration C. vocation D. schedule
43. A. waited B. watched C. met D. visited
44. A. warm B. white C. beautiful D. different
45. A. rolled B. dropped C. hung D. stuck
46. A. occasion B. journey C. process D. memory
47. A. check B. search C. see D. climb
48. A. special B. interesting C. straightest D. tallest
49. A. held B. contained C. had D. involved
50. A. explain B. agree C. understand D. promise
51. A. when B. until C. before D. after
52. A. pass B. give C. apply D. attach
53. A. know B. find C. keep D. share
54. A. decorate B. grow C. shape D. hide
55. A. possible B. easy C. normal D. ready
56. A. along B. among C. through D. behind
57. A. force B. guide C. drive D. follow
58. A. actually B. always C. possibly D. finally
59. A. when B. where C. how D. why
60. A. unique B. valuable C. expensive D. secret