Blind from birth, I have never had the opportunity to see myself and have been completely dependent on the image I create in the eyes of others.
There are those who believe that 41 I can’t see, I obviously also cannot hear. Very often people will talk with me at the top of their 42 . Conversely (相反地) to this, people will also often 43 , thinking that since my eyes don’t work, my ears don’t either. For example, when I go to the airport and ask the ticket agent for 44 to the plane, he or she will always pick up the phone and call a ground hostess in a very low voice. “Hi, Jane, we’ve got a 76 here.” I have concluded that the word “ 45 ” is not used because they are unwilling to inform me of my condition of which I may not have been previously 46 .
On the other hand, others know that of course I can hear, but believe that I can’t talk. Once I became ill and was hospitalized. Immediately after I was 47 , I was wheeled down to the X-ray room. Just at the door sat an elderly woman (judging from her voice) asked the orderly (护工) who had been wheeling me: “What is his name?” “What’s your name?” the orderly 48 to me. “Harold Krents”, I replied. “Harold Krents”, he repeated. “When was he born?” “When were you born?” This continued for about five minutes before I finally interrupted, “Look, this is absolutely 49 . OK, I can’t see, but it’s going to become pretty 50 to both of you that I don’t need an interpreter.” “He says he doesn’t need an interpreter,” the orderly reported to the woman.
The 51 misconception of all is the view that because I can’t see, I can’t 52 . I was turned down by over forty law firms, 53 my qualifications included a cum laude (优等成绩) degree from Harvard Law School. The 54 to find jobs, the continuous 55 of
being told that it was impossible for a blind person to 56 law, the rejection letter, not based on my lack of 57 but rather on my disability, will always remain one of the most upsetting experiences of my life.
58 , the Department of Labor issued laws that demand equal 59 opportunities for th
e disabled. The business community’s response has been 60 . The attitude towards the disabled is beginning to change.
41. A. whether B. although C. since D. if
42. A. ears B. voice C. head D. eyes
43. A. shout B. laugh C. cry D. whisper
44. A. assistance B. permission C. advice D. welcome
45. A. blind B. passenger C. trouble D. situation
46. A. afraid B. desperate C. curious D. aware
47. A. invited B. admitted C. included D. released
48. A. repeated B. responded C. asked D. exchanged
49. A. cheerful B. charming C. ridiculous D. awesome
50. A. easy B. clear C. confusing D. doubtful
51. A. earliest B. slightest C. toughest D. latest
52. A. think B. study C. understand D. work
53. A. even though B. as if C. now that D. in case
54. A. opportunity B. attempt C. mistake D. success
55. A. disappointment B. relief C. envy D. effort
56. A. disobey B. challenge C. make D. practice
57. A. ability B. luck C. confidence D. ambition
58. A. Purposely B. Fortunately C. Exactly D. Regretfully
59. A. caring B. learning C. employment D. traveling
60. A. negative B. passive C. enthusiastic D. uncertain