My husband Jeff and I moved into our new home in Scottsbluff last year just before Christmas. I did not have the 41 or energy to carry out my traditional Christmas decorating and baking activities. What was the point, anyway? It was going to be a 42 Christmas after all.
43 , the neighborly nature of west Nebraska residents started to trickle (陆续来临) in.
There was a 44 on the door one evening. It was Jeff’s new colleague, John Smith, and his wife, Phyllis. The Smiths had stopped by to 45 us to town with a loaf of homemade bread. They pointed out a 46 on the porch (门廊). Apparently the doorbell wasn’t working in the cold snowy weather and we had 47 a visit from the Browns, our across-the-street neighbors, who brought us a Christmas card and more Christmas cookies.
The 48 feelings brought by these thoughtful gestures lasted longer than the food.
As Jeff and I were clearing pre-Christmas 49 from our driveway, Ernie Guzman came over from next door to 50 us to dig out.
Then, we received an invitation to 51 a Christmas Eve meal with our neighbors, Ernie and Nancy Sommer, and their 52 —a 90-year-old lady, who also had no family in the immediate area with whom to spend the holiday.
Our Christmas Eve was quite merry, thanks to our 53 . Our Christmas morning 54 was special, thanks to the Smiths’ gift of bread. I was so 55 for these gestures of welcome, especially during the holidays.
This year, we were again unable to be with our families for Christmas. The 56 and work schedules just made things too difficult. 57 that sense of Christmas isolation (孤立) all too well, we decided to try to round up some other folks who were 58 in the holidays.
Lonely people are all around us, but most of us 59 notice them. Just take a look around you. Sometimes, the smallest 60 gesture can make a world of difference.
41. A. chance B. anxiety C. time D. ability
42. A. lonely B. free C. merry D. usual
43. A. Therefore B. However C. Somehow D.Meanwhile
44. A. sign B. knock C. card D. note
45. A. invite B. welcome C. drive D. send
46. A. tree B. flower C. mail D. package
47. A. forgot B. missed C. arranged D. received
48. A. warm B. deep C. true D. mixed
49. A. rubbish B. snow C. dust D. leaves
50. A. teach B. urge C. help D. forbid
51. A. prepare B. share C. taste D. exchange
52. A. guest B. aunt C. maid D. partner
53. A. folks B. relatives C. neighbors D. colleagues
54. A. call B. greeting C. meeting D. breakfast
55. A. sorry B. eager C. grateful D. ready
56. A. season B. expense C. distance D. situation
57. A. Knowing B. Showing C. Studying D. Discovering
58. A. happy B. busy C. alone D. active
59. A. always B. usually C. finally D. seldom
60. A. careful B. kind C. pretty D. patient
