Alice’s mother died when Alice was five years old. Alice, who grew up to be my mother, told me that after her mother’s death her family was too poor to even afford to give her a doll.
In December 2012, I had a job at a local bank. One afternoon, we were decorating the tree in the bank lobby(大厅). One of my customers approached me with her beautiful handmade dolls. I decided to get one for my daughter, Katie, who was almost five years old. Then I had an idea. I asked my customer if she could make me a special doll for my mother—one with gray hair and spectacles(眼镜): a grandmother doll. And she gladly agreed.
A friend had told me that his dad who played Santa Claus would be willing to make a visit on Christmas morning to our home to deliver my Katie her presents, so I made some special arrangements.
Christmas Day arrived and at the planned time; so did Santa Claus. Katie was surprised that Santa had come to see her at her own house. As Santa turned to leave, he looked once more into his bag and found one more gift. As he asked who Alice was, my mother, surprised at her name being called, indicated that she in fact was Alice. Santa handed her the gift, with a message card that read:
For Alice:
I was cleaning out my sleigh(雪橇) before my trip this year and came across this package that was supposed to be delivered on December 25,1953. The present inside has aged, but I felt that you might still wish to have it. Many apologies for the lateness of the gift.
Love,
Santa Claus
My mother’s reaction was one of the most deeply emotional scenes I have ever seen. She couldn’t speak but only held the doll she had waited fifty-nine years to receive as tears of joy ran down her cheeks. That doll, given by “Santa”, made my mother the happiest “child” that Christmas.
1.The reason why the writer’s mother couldn’t have a doll when young was that_________.
A. Santa Clause forgot to deliver the doll to her
B. her daughter couldn’t make a doll by herself
C. her parents left the doll in the Santa Clause’s sleigh
D. her family was badly off when she was a child
2.It can be inferred from the passage that __________.
A. the writer’s father played the Father Christmas
B. the writer’s mother was already in her sixties when she received the doll
C. the writer asked one of her friends to make the doll for her mother
D. the Santa Clause was too careless to deliver the doll on time
3.When the writer’s mother received the doll that she had waited so long, she was __________.
A. pleased and inspired B. puzzled and angry
C. happy and excited D. curious and grateful
4.The best title for this passage could be __________.
A. A Doll from Santa B. An unforgettable Christmas
C. A considerate daughter D. A help from Santa Claus
I still remember it was in the winter of 1990 that, together with the help of my older sister, I down my wishes for Christmas onto a piece of paper. How I wished on Christmas Eve my grandest wish would be and placed under the Christmas tree — a puppy. When we were done, our wish-lists were collected by our parents with the promise to be to Santa's hard- working helpers.
The next day, our parents sat us down in the living-room, with expressions on their faces. As it , they had seen our wishes, now wanting to talk to us about one wish — the puppy. For a moment, I held my breath, but was when they told us that they weren't against a puppy. What they against was putting it under the Christmas tree. That was not a good idea.
They taught us that an animal was not a gift that belonged to the same as our toys. Animals were creatures with that we should decide to have one, and it would be a(n) to our family. An animal a lot of responsibilities. It wasn’t anything one bought out of a mood. An animal could not be exchanged or when we didn't feel like it. An animal wasn’t a toy. An animal was a family member that needed lots of love and attention. An animal was not a , but a family decision. A serious decision. And a big decision.
, my parents share my love for animals, so the decision came reasonably . After our grandparents had given their up for taking care of the dog, while we were on future vacations, the answer was yes. Yes, we would get a puppy.
The following days and weeks, there was only one : our new family member! Yes, a family member, because animals have their rights. They are not simply food or gifts. We humans must attend, love and protect them.
1.A. left B. got C. set D. pulled
2.A. rejected B. declined C. challenged D. fulfilled
3.A. given away B. passed on C. taken on D. put up
4.A. dangerous B. curious C.serious D. mysterious
5.A. turned out B. taken out C. run out D. held out
6.A. in peace B. in order C. in particular D. in return
7.A. pardoned B. frightened C. inspired D. relieved
8.A. protested B. objected C. opposed D. resisted
9.A. patiently B. hurriedly C. anxiously D. roughly
10.A. arrangement B. routine C. schedule D. category
11.A. feelings B. secrets C. stains D. sufferings
12.A. convenience B. facility C. extension D. heritage
13.A. signed B. meant C. attained D. guaranteed
14.A. put forward B. put up C. put aside D. put off
15.A. native B. original C. responsible D. precious
16.A. riddle B. gift C. servant D. victim
17.A. Negatively B.Ridiculously C. Particularly D. Luckily
18.A. difficult B. easy C. contradictory D. concrete
19.A. thumbs B. toes C. noses D. eyes
20.A. theme B. argument C. prejudice D. topic
Finally, I made the choice to withdraw from college to care for my grandma __________ the fact that she had developed cancer.
A. In favor of B. in possession of
C. in view of D. in charge of
While Peking Opera is widely regarded as a symbol of Chinese culture, it has been losing young audiences due to its __________ outdated style and slow rhythm.
A. responsibly B. relatively
C. plainly D. deliberately
The variety of food at the restaurant is limited, but every meal can serve at least two people and is under ¥10, so not only is it __________ but practical as well.
A. adaptable B. affordable
C. changeable D. adjustable
I don't agree with canceling all large celebrations or events just because of one accident. “Once bitten, twice shy” is not a(n) __________ response. What we need to do is learn the lessons.
A. spiritual B. considerate
C. efficient D. appropriate
