In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened America, killing over 30，000 people in less than four minutes. In the middle of complete damage and disorder, a father rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, __16__ to find that the building was __17__．

After the unforgettable shock, he __18__ the promise he had made to his son: “No matter __19__， I'll always be there for you！” And tears began to __20__ his eyes. As he looked at the pile of ruins, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his __21__ to his son. He rushed there and started __22__ the ruins.__23__： “It's too late! They're all dead! __24__， face reality. There's nothing you can do！” To each parent he responded with __25__：“Are you going to help me now？” No one helped. And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone.

Courageously he went on alone because he needed to know __26__： “Is my boy __27__ or is he dead？” He dug for 8 hours…12 hours…24 hours…36 hours…Then, in the 38th hour, he __28__ a large stone and heard his son's __29__. He screamed his son's name, “ARMAND！” He heard back, “Dad! It's me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you __30__ me and __31__ you saved me, they'd be saved. You promised, ‘No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you！’ You did it, Dad！”

“What's going on there？” The father asked.

“There are 14 of us __32__ out of 33, Dad. We're scared, hungry, thirsty and thankful you're here. When the building collapsed, it made __33__，and it saved us.”

“Come __34__， boy！”

“No, Dad! Let the other kids come out first, __35__ I know you'll get me! No matter what happens, I know you'll always be there for me！”

As he was digging, other helpless parents arrived，

16．A.just B．only C．ever D．still

17．A.as flat as a pancake B．as high as a mountain

C．as strong as an ox D．as weak as a kitten

18．A.memorized B．forgot

C．kept D．remembered

19．A.what B．what happen

C．which D．who

20．A.fill B．fill in C．come D．burst

21．A.picture B．promise

C．present D．encourage

22．A.digging B．digging through

C．digging out D．digging into

23．A.to say B．said C．and saying D．saying

24．A.Come out B．Come again C．Come on D．Come off

25．A.one word B．one sound C．one row D．one line

26．A.for himself B．of himself C．by himself D．to himselfw

27．A.live B．living C．alive D．lively

28．A.took back B．picked up C．called up D．pulled back

29．A.sound B．voice C．noise D．tone

30．A.will save B．would save C．save D．would have saved

31．A.when B．because C．even if D．though

32．A.remained B．missing C．left D．gone

33．A.a promise B．space C．room D．a triangle

34．A.in B．for C．out D．along

35．A.because B．though C．when D．even though

In order to meet the demands they had to ________ production.

A． fasten up  B．rise up

C．speed up  D．go up

When it was his turn to deliver his speech，________，he walked towards the microphone.

A．nervously and embarrassingly

B．nervous and embarrassedly

C．nervously and embarrassing

D．nervous and embarrassed

When I saw the cars crash on the road，a frightened feeling ________ through my mind.

A．flashed  B．struck

C．hit  D．occurred

Tom feared to go home after his failure in the exam because the ________ stream of discontent from his parents would drive him crazy.

A．actual  B．gradualx

C．efficient  D．constant

A team of nurses________the doctor in performing the operation on the boy wounded in the earthquake.

A．supported  B．encouraged

C．assisted  D．respected

Helen always helps her mother even though going to school ________ most of her day.

A．takes up  B．makes up

C．saves up  D．puts up

More and more high­rise buildings have been built in big cities________space.

A．in search of  B．in place of

C．for lack of  D．for fear of

Banks must complete for customers who will ________ to another bank if they are dissatisfied with the service they receive.

A．transfer B．switch

C．appeal D．resolve

Fierce as they are faced with pressure, the students remain ________ and try hard to achieve their goals.

A．conscious  B．optimistic

C．influential  D．competitive