It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a small town where my twenty-seven third graders

It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a small town where my twenty-seven third graders eagerly 36 the great day of gift-giving in advance.
Each day the children produced some new 37 — strings of popcorn, handmade trinkets, and German bell. Through it all she remained alone, 38 from a distance, seemingly miles away. I wondered what 39 happen to this quiet child, once so happy, now suddenly so withdrawn. I hoped the festivities would 40 her. But nothing did. The students made the fried marbles（油炸玻璃弹子）and competed with one anther to bring the 41 ones.
The day of gift-giving finally came. We cheered over our handiwork as the presents were 42 . All along, she sat quietly watching. To see her smile, I had made a special bag for her. She opened it so slowly and carefully. I waited but she 43 . I had not passed through the wall of isolation she had 44 around herself.
After school I sat down in a chair, hardly 45 of what was happening, when she came to me with outstretched hands, bearing a small white box, and slightly soiled, 46 it had been held many times by 47 , childish hands. She said nothing. “For me?” I asked. She said not a word, but 48 her head. I took the box and cautiously opened it. There inside, glistening green, a fried marble 49 from a golden chain. Then I looked into that eight-year-old 50 and saw the question in her dark brown eyes. In a flash I knew — she had 51 it for her mother, who had died just three weeks before and would never hold her or brush her hair or 52 her childish joys or sorrows.
I meant it when I whispered, “Oh, Maria, it is so beautiful. Your mother would 53 it.” Neither of us could stop the 54 . She threw herself into my arms and we wept together. And for that brief moment I became her mother, for she had given me the greatest 55 of all: her trust and love.
【小题1】A．preparedB．reservedC．expectedD．waited【小题2】A．fanciesB．impressionsC．wondersD．possessions【小题3】A．lookingB．playingC．searchingD．watching【小题4】A．wouldB．shouldC．mustD．needed【小题5】A．attend toB．appeal toC．listen toD．object to【小题6】A．prettiestB．wisestC．heaviestD．naughtiest【小题7】A．transformedB．informedC．exchangedD．deserted【小题8】A．gave awayB．threw awayC．carried awayD．turned away【小题9】A．builtB．adjustedC．offeredD．filled【小题10】A．afraidB．awareC．contentD．fond【小题11】A．whenB．whileC．as thoughD．even if【小题12】A．untouchedB．unknownC．unwashedD．unpacked【小题13】A．noddedB．raisedC．droppedD．turned【小题14】A．protectedB．hungC．heldD．escaped【小题15】A．faceB．cheekC．hairD．forehead【小题16】A．boughtB．exchangedC．madeD．stole【小题17】A．appreciateB．enjoyC．communicateD．share【小题18】A．loveB．benefitC．dislikeD．need【小题19】A．laughB．excitementC．tearsD．description【小题20】A．joyB．identityC．contributionD．giftA

(答案→)A 解析：【小题1】A。prepare预备。班上27个孩子都在热切盼望着这个互赠礼品、激动人心的日子到来。【小题2】C。每天孩子们都会做点儿新玩意（wonders）。【小题3】D。但自始至终，她都是孤零零地远远观望（watching），仿佛是隔了一道几里长的障碍。【小题4】A。would将。我猜想着这个安静的孩子发生了什么事。【小题5】B。appeal to吸引。我希望节日的活动能吸引她。【小题6】A。彼此相比较，带来最漂亮的（prettiest）。【小题7】C。在交换（exchanged）礼物时我们为对方亲手做的小礼品不停地欢呼叫好。【小题8】D。turned away把……打发走。我等待着，但是她却转过了身。【小题9】A。build the wall of isolation表示建立隔离之墙。【小题10】B。be aware of 意识到。我坐了下来，几乎没有意识到要发生什么。【小题11】C。as though好像。好像是被孩子未洗过的小手摸过了许多遍。【小题12】C。unwashed未洗过的。解析见上题。【小题13】A。她没出声，只是点点（nodded）头。【小题14】B。一条金色的链子挂着（hung）一个油炸玻璃弹子。【小题15】A。然后，我看着八岁孩子的脸（face）。【小题16】C。这是她为妈妈做（made）的项链。【小题17】D。她的妈妈再也不能分享（share）她童年时光的快乐和忧伤。【小题18】A。你妈妈一定会喜欢（love）的。”【小题19】C。我们已无法抑制住泪水（tears）。【小题20】D。因为她把一份最珍贵的礼物(gift)送给了我。

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