A simple piece of clothesline hangs between some environmentally friendly Americans and their neighbors.

　　On one side stand those who see clothes dryers(干衣机) as a waste of energy and a major polluter of the environment. As a result, they are turning to clotheslines as part of the “what-I-can-do environmentalism(环境保护主义).”

　　On the other side are people who are against drying clothes outside, arguing that clotheslines are unpleasant to look at. They have persuaded Homeowners Associations (HOAs) across the U.S. to ban outdoor clotheslines, because clothesline drying also tends to lower home value in the neighborhood. This had led to a Right-to-Dry Movement that is calling for laws to be passed to protect people’s right to use clotheslines.　　

　　So far, only three states have laws to protect clothesline. Right-to-Dry supporters argue that there should be more.　　

　　Matt Reck, 37, is the kind of eco-conscious(有生态意识的) person who feeds his trees with bathwater and reuses water drops from his air conditioners to water plants. His family also uses a clothesline. But on July 9, 2007, the HOA in Wake Forest, North Carolina, told him that a dissatisfied neighbor had telephoned them about his clothesline. The Recks paid no attention to the warning and still dried their clothes on a line in the yard. “Many people say they are environmentally friendly but they don’t take matters in their own hands,” says Reck. The local HOA has decided not to take any action, unless more neighbors come to them.　　

　　North Carolina lawmakers are saying that banning clotheslines is not the right thing to do. But HOAs and housing businesses believe that clothesline drying reminds people of poor neighborhoods. They worry that if buyers think their future neighbors can’t even afford dryers, housing prices will fall.

　　Environmentalists say such worries are not necessary, and in view of global warming, that idea needs to change. As they say, “The clothesline is beautiful”. Hanging clothes outside should be encouraged. We all have to do at least something to slow down the process of global warming.”

One of the reasons why supporters of clothes dryers are trying to ban clothesline drying is that ________.

A. clothes dryers are more efficient   

B. clothesline drying reduces home value

C. clothes dryers are energy-saving    

D. clothesline drying is not allowed in most U.S. states

Which of the following best describes Matt Reck?

　　A. He is a kind-hearted man.         B. He is an impolite man.　　

　　C. He is an experienced gardener.    D. He is a man of social responsibility.　　

Who are in favor of clothesline drying?　　

　　A. housing businesses.           B. Environmentalists.　　

　　C. Homeowners Associations.     D. Reck’s dissatisfied neighbors.　　

What is mainly discussed in the text?　　

　　A. Clothesline drying: a way to save energy and money.　　

　　B. Clothesline drying: a lost art rediscovered.　　

　　C. Opposite opinions on clothesline drying.　　

　　D. Different varieties of clotheslines.　　

I was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in a toy store. A nicely dressed little girl was looking through the teddy bears beside her father 　　38　 she saw a little boy walk in and stop in front of the Pokémon toys. His jacket was obviously too small. He had money in his hand. 　　39　 , it looked no more than five dollars at most. He was with his father as well, and 　　40　 picking up the Pokémon video games. Each time he showed one to his father, his father 　　 41　 his head, “No”.

Rather　 42　 , the boy gave up the video games and chose a book of stickers 　　43　 . After they walked away, the little girl ran over to the Pokémon video games. She excitedly picked up one 　　44　 on top of the others, and hurried down toward the check-out. I picked up my purchases(购买物) and 　　45　 the girl and her father.

Then, much to the little girl’s 　　46　 , the little boy and his father got in line behind her and me. After the video was paid for and bagged, the little girl 　　47　 it back to the cashier(收银员) and 　　48　 something to her. The cashier smiled and put the 　　49 under the counter(柜台). I was putting things in my bag when the little boy came up to the cashier. The cashier said, “Congratulations. You’re my hundredth customer today, and you win a prize!” and she handed the boy the Pokémon game. The boy could only　 50　 in disbelief. It was, he said, exactly what he had wanted! The little girl and her father had been standing at the doorway, and I saw the biggest and prettiest smile on that little girl I have ever seen in my life.

I suddenly understood that the world is not 　　51　 into the strong who care and the 　　52　 who are cared for. We must each in turn care and be cared.

38. A. while　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. when 　　　　　　　　　　 C. after 　　　　　　　　　　　 D. once

39. A. Then 　　　　　　　　　　　 B. Therefore 　　　　　　　 C. However 　　　　　　　 D. Otherwise

40. A. stopped 　　　　　　　　　 B. continued 　　　　　　　 C. avoided 　　　　　　　　 D. kept

41. A. shook 　　　　　　　　　　 B. nodded 　　　　　　　　　 C. moved 　　　　　　　　　 D. held

42. A. upset B. disappointed 　　　　　 C. angry D. anxious　　

43. A. also 　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. instead 　　　　　　　　　 C. lastly 　　　　　　　　　　 D. indeed

44. A. laying　　　　　　　　　　　 B. lying 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. to lie　　　　　　　　　　　 D. lain

45. A. walked 　　　　　　　　　　 B. helped 　　　　　　　　　 C. kept 　　　　　　　　　　　 D. followed

46. A. surprise 　　　　　　　　　 B. disappointment 　　　 C. joy 　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. sadness

47. A. put B. handed C. sent D. carried

48. A. whispered 　　　　　　　 B. shouted　　 　　　　　 C. gave 　　　　　　　　　　　 D. showed

49. A. basket 　　　　　　　　　　 B. bag 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. bear 　　　　　　　　　　　 D. gift

50. A. cry 　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. look 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. jump 　　　　　　　　　　 D. pay

51. A. divided 　　　　　　　　　　 B. changed 　　　　　　　　 C. destroyed 　　　　　　　 D. cut

52. A. poor 　　　　　　　　　　　 B. ugly 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. unhappy 　　　　 　　 D. weak