As human beings we like to think of ourselves superior(高级) to other creatures, but sometimes we can learn something from them..
One day at lunchtime I _36_my office, took out a sandwich, and _37_to a place along the river that was home to a flock of ducks. As I sat in the car eating the sandwich and taking a _38_ from a stressful day, I _39_a mother duck with her little ducks.
They were all together along the riverbank, _40_ spending quality family time. Then Mama Duck_41_and walked away to do what ducks feel they have to do. Like good little children, the little ducks immediately got up and _42_ her. But after walking behind her for about 10 feet, a duck seemed to question Mother Duck’s _43_and turned to go in the _44_direction.
Mama Duck didn’t see that and continued walking, _45_ expecting her children to walk behind her. Then,she _46_to do a head count. I expected her to stop to punish the disobedient(不顺从的) duck, _47_she didn’t. In no more than a few seconds, she surveyed the situation, and understood that it was time for the duck to walk out on its own, so she_48_on her way.
But it was not so_49_ for me. My daughter was preparing to go away to college. My 11-year-old son had already_50_ to another city to live two years earlier. As a mother, I want to _51_my children in order not to see them hury even when they aren’t “children” anymore. Like a mother duck, I want them to follow me without_52_. After all, I am older and therefore wiser. I am bigger and stronger and know more about the _53_the world has in store, which may harm them.
However, after seeing the ducks, I _54_ that the time had come for my children to fly. So, as _55_as it was, I had to let them make their own way.
36.A.cleaned B.left C.designed D.visited
37.A.walked B.climbed C.drove D.flew
38.A.break B.class C.holiday D.shower
39.A.fed B.watched C.brought D.caught
40.A.almost B.seldom C.hardly D.apparently
41.A.took up B.calmed down C.got up D.fell down
42.A.followed B.doubted C.asked D.hit
43.A.appearance B.prediction C.career D.decision
44.A.right B.clear C.opposite D.same
45.A.slowly B.blindly C.angrily D.interestingly
46.A.turned around B.turned over C.turned in D.turned off
47.A.so B.but C.and D.if
48.A.continued B.admitted C.marked D.agreed
49.A.relaxing B.challenging C.easy D.useful
50.A.immigrated B.switched C.connected D.moved
51.A.teach B.protect C.test D.train
52.A.question B.control C.limit D.notice
53.A.plans B.attitude C.dangers D.tradition
54.A.insisted B.realized C.suggested D.remembered
55.A.rewarding B.valuable C.disappointing D.difficult