A lesson in caring
It was a cold evening. My daughter and I were walking up Broadway. I didn’t notice a guy sitting inside a cardboard box. But Nora 36 . She wasn’t even four, but she 37 at my coat and said, “That man’s cold. Daddy, can we take him home?”
I don’t remember my 38 . But I do remember a sudden 39 feeling inside me. I had always been delighted at how much my daughter noticed in her 40 , whether it was 41 flying or children playing. But now she was noticing 42 and beggary.
A few days later, I saw an article in the newspaper about volunteers who picked up a food package from a nearby school on a Sunday morning and 43 it to an elderly person. It was quick and easy. I signed us up. Nora was 44 about it. She could understand the importance of food, so she could easily see how 45 our job was. When Sunday came, she was ready, but I had to 46 myself to leave the house to fetch the food package. On my way to the school, I fought an urge (强烈愿望) to turn 47 . The Sunday paper and coffee were waiting for me at home. Why do this? 48 , we phoned the elderly person we’d been appointed. She 49 us right over.
The building was in a bad state. Facing us was a silver-haired woman in an old dress. She took the package and asked us to come in. Nora ran inside. I unwillingly followed. 50 inside, I saw that the department belonged to someone poor. Our hostess showed us some photos. Nora played and when it came time to say goodbye, we three hugged. I walked home 51 .
Professionals call such a(n) 52 “a volunteer opportunity”. They are opportunities and I’ve come to see. Where else but as volunteers do you have the opportunity to do something 53 that’s good for others as well as for yourself? Nora and I regularly serve meals to needy people and 54 clothes for the homeless. Yet, as I’ve 55 her grow over these past four years, I still wonder—which of us has benefited more?
1.A. did B. was C. has D. had
2.A. pulled B. replaced C. waved D. aimed
3.A. debate B. reply C. explanation D. expression
4.A. general B. funny C. heavy D. magical
5.A. web B. dream C. castle D. world
6.A. insects B. animals C. plants D. birds
7.A. coldness B. illness C. suffering D. appearance
8.A. sent B. returned C. devoted D. posted
9.A. concerned B. sorry C. worried D. excited
10.A. creative B. valuable C. shocking D. simple
11.A. warn B. stop C. allow D. push
12.A. back B. away C. up D. out
13.A. Therefore B. But C. Anyhow D. Also
14.A. requested B. promised C. invited D. helped
15.A. Although B. Once C. Because D. Though
16.A. in tears B. in surprise C. in reality D. in disappointment
17.A. stay B. visit C. reception D. challenge
18.A. fair B. famous C. difficult D. enjoyable
19.A. collect B. make C. order D. design
20.A. let B. made C. watched D. affected
—Please tell Tom that he has won the 100-metre race.
—_____! He never won it before.
A. Congratulations B .What good news
C. What a pleasant surprise D. How exciting the race
— that made him unhappy?
—Well, failing in his English test.
A. Where was it B. What was it C. How was it D. Why was it
—Father, you promised!
—Well, _____.But it was you who didn’t keep your word first.
A. so was I B. so did I C. so I was D. so I did
Someone took away my umbrella, I’d never expect it _______.
A. returning B. to be returned C. return D. to returning
As is natural, a man as old as he _____ be very forgetful.
A. can B. must C. should D. would
