About a year ago, a couple with 3 children moved into the apartment next door to me.I never heard any noise from the children, but the parents were always 1 them, in a frightening way.We met often in the hallway when we were coming or going.I always spoke, but the only answer I ever got was a hello from the 4-year-old girl.
I usually go out for breakfast and one day when I returned they were just coming from their apartment and the little girl was holding the door open for the others.I remained in the car doing unnecessary things 2 I wasn't in a hurry.The parents were telling her to get in the car immediately.I looked up and saw the little girl was still holding the door open, waiting for me.
As a handicapped(有残疾的)man, I can't hurry at anything, but I hurried as much as I could and thanked her.She was smiling like a lovely angel.I was so touched but her small act of kindness.That afternoon I was shopping at the K-mart and I saw a white bear.I thought of the 3 and said to myself.“I believe she would like that” so I bought it.
The next day there was a knock on the door and it was the little girl and her father.She was so proud of her bear and thanked me like I had never been thanked before.The mother and father both thanked me.
Now when we meet in the hall we all speak, and in a friendly manner I might add.As time passes, I don't hear that shouting as often. 4 , hardly at all.
Last night we had about four inches of snow.I looked out at my car and wondered how I was going to keep my doctor's appointment.
When I opened the outside door, there was my car with all the snow cleaned.I can't express how I felt at that moment.The man next door was the only person I knew in the whole building, so when I saw him the next day.I asked him if he was the good man that cleaned my snow.He said 5 .He wanted to but his wife said she wanted to do it.
Isn't it amazing how a 4-year-old girl can change so many things for the better? My guardian angel(守护天使)says that good things usually come from 6 .
(1)
[ ]
A.
worrying about
B.
shouting at
C.
playing with
D.
laughing at
(2)
[ ]
A.
because
B.
although
C.
when
D.
unless
(3)
[ ]
A.
the apartment
B.
the snow
C.
the parents
D.
the girl
(4)
[ ]
A.
In all
B.
After all
C.
In fact
D.
For example
(5)
[ ]
A.
SUPPRISE
B.
NO
C.
THANKS
D.
YES
(6)
[ ]
A.
little children
B.
small act
C.
nice presents
D.
good neighbors
完形填空
When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to win a scholarship(奖学金).Having been a straight-A student, I believed I could take tough subjects and really learn something.One such course was Would Literature given by Professor Jayne.I was very interested in the ideas he 1 in class.
When I took the first exam, I couldn't believe that I got a 77, C+, on my test paper, 2 Enlgish was my best subject.I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to me carefully but remained(保持) 3 .
I decided to try harder, although I didn't know what that meant because school had always been easy for me.I read the books more carefully, but got another 77.Again, I 4 with Professor Jayne.Again, he listened but wouldn't change his 5 .
One more test before the final exam.One more 6 to improve my grade.So I redoubled my efforts(努力), but they did no good and everything 7 as before.
The last problem was the final.No matter what grade I got, three C+ were still there.I might as well kiss the 8 goodbye.
I stopped working hard.I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would.The night before the final, I even 9 myself to a movie.The next day I decided for once I'd have fun with a test.
A week later, I was surprised to find I got anA.I hurried into Professor Jayne's office.He seemed to be 10 me.“If I gave you the As you expected, you wouldn't continue to work as hard.”
I looked at him, realizing that his strategy(策略)was 11 , I had worked my head off, as I had 12 done before.
At the end of the term, my course grade arrived.A+.It was the only A+ given.The next year I received my scholarship.I've always remembered Professor Jayne's lesson:you alone must set your own standard of excellence.