The snow is gone and green grass can be seen growing close to the sunny side of homes. The birds in the back yard are singing in the bush. Spring is here, and with 41 come memories of the smell of 42 , new sneakers, and longer days.
As a kid, I knew spring arrived when I walked into the house after school and 43 paint. The first warm day would cause my mum to have the idea of 44 . She opened the windows, let the fresh air in, opened a can of paint, and put a fresh 45 on the walls of a room.
Spring was also the time to change 46 . In Nova Scotia, we had snow on the ground almost 47 from late December until late March. We spent all of our time outside wearing our 48 winter boots. To run in them was like running with two weighty bags.
In late April or early May, mum would take us to the town to buy a new pair of light 49 for each of us. I still remember the rubber 50 , with the trademark imprinted on it. After a month or two, small hands would tear it off, and leave a circle, darker than the 51 material around it.
Later, when we returned home, my brothers and I 52 our new sneakers. The door shut 53 behind us when we rushed out, causing a shout of 54 from our dad. Then we ran across the fields. The weight of the heavy winter boots was 55 . It felt like we were 56 through the air or we could jump thirty feet like a kangaroo. The thoughts of summer’s approach and the 57 wind of spring rushing past our uncovered ears were 58 .
When life gets me down; when everything seems 59 ; I don’t let it 60 me. I would let my room put on a new coat of paint, pull on a new pair of sneakers, and just run like it was spring.
41. A. autumn B. spring C. winter D. summer
42. A. flowers B. food C. wine D. paint
43. A. smelled B. bought C. made D. matched
44. A. adventure B. communication C. decoration D. happiness
45. A. coat B. jacket C. sweater D. shirt
46. A. socks B. caps C. gloves D. shoes
47. A. especially B. normally C. continuously D. commonly
48. A. new B. heavy C. light D. soft
49. A. pants B. trousers C. sneakers D. glasses
50. A. circle B. rabbit C. line D. star
51. A. ugly B. colorful C. new D. faded
52. A. tore down B. put on C. made up D. turned down
53. A. heavily B. slightly C. gently D. slowly
54. A. excitement B. joy C. surprise D. anger
55. A. increasing B. coming C. gone D. measured
56. A. running B. flying C. walking D. riding
57. A. warm B. cold C. biting D. strong
58. A. terrible B. negative C. delightful D. fearful
59. A. successful B. hopeless C. satisfying D. hopeful
60. A. cheat B. change C. win D. affect