When I was 8, a gentleman came to my orphanage（孤儿院）and taught us how to do woodworking projects. I remember my first project—a small table. I was so 36 of it that I looked upon it 37 I had created a wonder. It was absolutely beautiful and it had taken me six weeks to 38 it. I could 39 wait to give it to Mother Winters as a gift. She was the head mistress of our orphanage, who was always 40 with us.
As the tables were not 41 from the clear coating, the man told us to wait a few days before taking them to our dormitories. 42 I was just so excited and happy that I couldn’t wait. I dashed out like a flash carrying my table, smiling from ear to ear.
When I reached the dormitory I placed the little table beside my bed. I was 43 it when Mother Winters entered. She walked over to the table. Running her hand 44 it, she noticed it was still wet.
“Were you 45 to bring this home?” she asked. “No, ma’am,” I 46 with my head down.
She ordered me to throw the table out and so I did. After she left, I immediately opened the door to get it back. There was 47 stuck all over. I brushed and cried, but it would not come off. I hid the table in my closet and never 48 it. A year later while cleaning up, I gave the table to Mother Henderson, my houseparent (宿管员), thinking that she would 49 it away.
Thirty years later at a reunion, I 50 that Mother Henderson was living nearby, so I drove up to see her. We talked cheerfully for long. As I was about to leave, she asked me to come down to her 51 to get something important. I followed her 52 into a dark corner. She picked something up. 53 she turned around, I could see that she was holding a little table. Mother Henderson kept the little table that I had given up for lost so long ago.
Today, I look at that table with bittersweet memories but full of 54 to Mother Henderson, who kept it for a young orphan who tried very hard to 55 .
36. A. satisfied B. happy C. aware D. proud
37. A. now that B. even if C. as if D. so that
38. A. design B. complete C. paint D. invent
39. A. never B. always C. nearly D. hardly
40. A. strict B. delighted C. patient D. angry
41. A. clean B. strong C. dry D. perfect
42. A. For B. But C. So D. And
43. A. drying B. observing C. hiding D. admiring
44. A. into B. above C. across D. after
45. A. determined B. embarrassed C. encouraged D. supposed
46. A. whispered B. sighed C. agreed D. argued
47. A. paint B. glue C. dirt D. wood
48. A. removed B. shook C. touched D. split
49. A. throw B. give C. take D. put
50. A. remembered B. expected C. learned D. recommended
51. A. bathroom B. basement C. balcony D. bedroom
52. A. doubtfully B. unwillingly C. curiously D. worriedly
53. A. As B. Since C. Before D. Until
54. A. admiration B. regret C. sympathy D. gratitude
55. A. adapt B. please C. perform D. study