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 38 . I’ve always been glad about that.
It was Christmas time, and although there wasn’t 39 for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with a family party. But the big 40 for the kids was the fun of Christmas 41 .
They planned weeks ahead of time, asking 42 what they wanted for Christmas. Fortunately, I had saved $120 for 43 to share by all five of us.
The big 44 arrived. I gave each kid a twenty-dollar bill and 45 them to look for gifts of about four dollars each. Then everyone scattered(散开). We had two hours to shop; then we would 46 back at the “Santa’s Workshop”.
Driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits, 47 my younger daughter, Ginger, who was unusually 48 . She had only one small, flat bag with a few candies— fifty-cent candies! I was so angry, but I didn’t say anything 49 we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door, 50 to be angry again. This is what she told me：
“I was looking 51 thinking of what to buy, and I 52 to read the little cards on the ‘Giving Trees’.One was for a little girl, four years old, and all she 53 for Christmas was a doll. So I took the card off the tree and 54 the doll for her. We have so much and she doesn’t have anything.”
I never felt so 55 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. busy B. serious C. strict D. kind
39. A. effort B. room C. time D. money
40. A. improvement B. problem C. surprise D. excitement
41. A. shopping B. travelling C. parties D. greetings
42. A. the other B. each other C. one by one D. every other one
43. A. toys B. clothes C. presents D. bills
44. A. day B. chance C. cheque D. tree
45. A. forced B. reminded C. invited D. begged
46. A. draw B. stay C. move D. meet
47. A. including B. besides C. except D. regarding
48. A. quiet B. excited C. happy D. ashamed
49. A. since B. after C. while D. until
50. A. waiting B. ready C. hoping D. afraid
51. A. out B. over C. forward D. around
52. A. forgot B. stopped C. failed D. hated
53. A. wanted B. did C. got D. played
54. A. made B. searched C. bought D. fetched
55. A. angry B. rich C. patient D. bitter