Debbie Macomber decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She rented a typewriter, put it on the __36__ table and began typing each morning after the kids went to school. __37__ the kids came home, she moved it and made them dinner. When they were __38__ she got it back and typed some more.
Debbie followed this __39__ for two years. She had become a struggling writer and she loved every minute of it. One night, __40__, her husband, Wayne, said, “Honey, I’m sorry, but you’re not __41__ any income. We can’t do this anymore. We can’t survive on just what I make.” That night, her heart was __42__. Debbie knew, with all of the __43__ of keeping up a house, working 40 hours a week would __44__ her no time to write.
Seeing her __45__, her husband asked, “What’s wrong?” “I really think I can make it as a __46__.” “All right, honey, go for it,” Wayne __47__ for a long time and then said.
So Debbie returned to her __48__ and her typewriter on the kitchen table, writing for another two years. Wayne worked harder and their kids went without vacations and wore hand-me-downs. But the sacrifice finally __49__.
Debbie sold her first book after five years of __50__. Then another. And another. Until today, Debbie has __51__ more than 100 books, many of __52__ have become New York Times best-sellers. Over 60 million copies of her books are in print.
And Wayne? His selfless __53__ of his wife paid off. He got to retire at 50 and now spends his free time building a private airplane in the basement of their 7,000 square-foot mansion. __54__, Debbie’s kids also got a gift more important than several summer camps. As adults, they __55__ what Debbie gave them was far more important — persistence and encouragement to pursue their own dreams.
36. A. coffee B. bedside C. kitchen D. dressing
37. A. Unless B. When C. Though D. Wherever
38. A. asleep B. awake C. free D. convenient
39. A. standard B. suggestion C. tradition D. routine
40. A. therefore B. however C. somehow D. anyway
41. A. making up B. cutting down C. finding out D. bringing in
42. A. broken B. warm C. touched D. cold
43. A. abilities B. balances C. duties D. problems
44. A. stop B. leave C. ensure D. permit
45. A. achievements B. behavior C. efforts D. sadness
46. A. typist B. housewife C. writer D. designer
47. A. doubted B. compared C. delayed D. hesitated
48. A. office B. dream C. state D. home
49. A. paid off B. broke up C. came back D. cleared up
50. A. challenging B. struggling C. thinking D. arguing
51. A. collected B. published C. prepared D. translated
52. A. them B. that C. it D. which
53. A. support B. respect C. trust D. protection
54. A. Surprisingly B. Gratefully C. Gradually D. Similarly
55. A. admit B. realize C. wonder D. prove