In front of the church down the street, a manger(马槽) had been set up, with Mary, Joseph, and the barn animals in 47.______ the arrival of baby Jesus. As I walked home, I 48._____ that the story of Joseph and Mary wandering from door to door seeking shelter was much like my own. Leaving Puerto Rico was still a 49._____in my soul and I was struggling with whom I had become in my 15 years in the United States. I’d mourned my losses, 50._____for the first time, I recognized what I’d gained. I was 51.______, and educated and healthy. My life was still before me, full of 52. ______.
Sometimes the best 53.____ is the one you give yourself. That Christmas, I gave myself credit 54.____ I’d accomplished so far and permission to go 55. ______ unafraid. It was the best gift I’ve ever received, the one that I most treasure.
| 36. | A. chosen | B. bothered | C. allowed | D. accompanied |
| 37. | A. working | B. laughing | C. studying | D. thinking |
| 38. | A. crowded | B. expensive | C. cheerful | D. large |
| 39. | A. looking for | B. looking at | C. looking through | D. looking over |
| 40. | A. finally | B. easily | C. quickly | D. likely |
| 41. | A. patient | B. strict | C. alone | D. private |
| 42. | A. friends | B. dreams | C. guests | D. customers |
| 43. | A. beautiful | B. interesting | C. clean | D. empty |
| 44. | A. pleased | B. upset | C. surprised | D. curious |
| 45. | A. hated | B. loved | C. missed | D. forgot |
| 46. | A. achieved | B. refused | C. preferred | D. offered |
| 47. | A. search | B. expectation | C. position | D. control |
| 48. | A. imagined | B. sighed | C. realized | D. expressed |
| 49. | A. effort | B. belief | C. wound | D. wish |
| 50. | A. but | B. so | C. because | D. though |
| 51. | A. excited | B. independent | C. ordinary | D. worthless |
| 52. | A. desires | B. possibilities | C. ideals | D. advantages |
| 53. | A. gift | B. lesson | C. purpose | D. memory |
| 54. | A. on | B. in | C. at | D. for |
| 55. | A. upward | B. down | C. around | D. forward |