Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
I was a single parent of four small children, working at a low-paid job. Money was always tight, but we had a 36 over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, and if not a lot, always 37 . Not knowing we were poor, my kids just thought I was strict. I’ve always been glad about that.
It was Christmas time, and although there wasn’t money for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with a family party. But the big 38 for the kids was the fun of Christmas shopping.
They planned weeks ahead of time, asking each other what they wanted for Christmas. Fortunately, I had saved $120 for presents to share by all five of us.
The big 39 arrived. I gave each kid a twenty-dollar bill and 40 them to look for gifts of about four dollars each. Then everyone scattered(散开). We had two hours to shop; then we would 41 back at the “Santa’s Workshop”.
Driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits 42 my younger daughter, Ginger, who was unusually quiet. She had only one small, flat bag with a few candies---fifty-cent candies! I was so angry, but I didn’t say anything 43 we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door, 44 to be angry again. This is what she told me.
“I was looking 45 thinking of what to buy, and I stopped to read the little cards on the ‘Giving Trees.’ One was for a little girl, four years old, and all she wanted for Christmas was a doll. So I took the card off the tree and 46 the doll for her. We have so much and she doesn’t have anything.”
I never felt so 47 as I did that day.
36. A. roof B. hat C. sky D. star
37. A. little B. less C. enough D. more
38. A. improvement B. problem C. surprise D. excitement
39. A. day B. chance C. cheque D. tree
40. A. forced B. reminded C. invited D. begged
41. A. draw B. stay C. move D. meet
42. A. including B. besides C. except D. as well as
43. A. since B. after C. while D. until
44. A. waiting B. ready C. hoping D. afraid
45. A. out B. over C. forward D. around
46. A. made B. searched C. bought D. fetched
47. A. angry B. rich C. patient D. bitter