Each day I took the same route to work and passed by a security guard (保安）. 35 greeted everyone walking by and made small talk with many of the passers-by and wishing them well. His simple “hello” made people feel 　36 . His cheerful smile became a part of my day. When he was absent, many people noticed it, and I felt a little bit empty.

　 The first few times, I didn’t say hello back to him when he greeted me. I was 　37 in my own world. On Monday the security guard asked me:“How was your weekend?” I told him about my visit to California, to see my mother, who had colon cancer. I 　38 how I visited her each month. “The time with my mother is so precious(珍贵的), 　39 I know that each time may be the last.”

　 He listened like a close friend I’d known for years. He felt my 　40 and my love. He shared how he had lost his father to cancer two years before. He said, “I understand what you are going through. My father passed away while I was serving in Germany. Because of some reasons I was unable to fly back in time. I was unable to say goodbye to him. I wish I could have been with him, given him a hug, and told him I loved him. You are really lucky to have the gift of 　41 .”
　 As I walked away, I realized I did not even know his name. The following day, on my way to work, I said: “After we spent all that time 　42 yesterday, I still don’t know your name.” He answered, “Gary.” I responded back, “I’m Deborah.”

After that, we talked and shared stories about our weekends, dreams and families.
　 Later, Gary got 　43 a new job and moved away. It’s been several years since I last spoke to him, yet the memory feels like yesterday. Gary reached out to me, 　44 me and made my morning the best part of the day. I experienced the beauty of friendship and love.
　 In the business of life, we often forget to wish a stranger hello although how easy it is, and how great and lasting a 　45 it can make. When you say hello to a stranger you become like a pebble(鹅卵石) thrown into a pond. With each ripple (波纹）you create, you spread love that continues to 　46 . Make a point of saying hello to a stranger today. You will give the gift that keeps on giving.

35. A. She　　　　　　　　　　　 B. They　　　　　　　　　 C. He　　　　　　　　　　　 D. I　　　　　

36. A. nervous　　　　　　　　 B. funny　　　　　　　　　 C. special　　　　　　　　 D. surprised

37. A. lost　　　　　　　　　　　 B. left　　　　　　　　　　　 C. missed　　　　　　　　 D. dropped

38. A. wondered　　　　　　　 B. shared　　　　　　　　 C. realized　　　　　　　　 D. found

39. A. because　　　　　　　　 B. so　　　　　　　　　　　 C. and　　　　　　　　　　 D. but　　　　

40. A. weakness　　　　　　　 B. illness　　　　　　　　　 C. sorriness　　　　　　　 D. sadness 　　　　　　

41. A. god　　　　　　　　　　　 B. time　　　　　　　　　　 C. nature　　　　　　　　　 D. friendship

42. A. thinking　　　　　　　　 B. calling　　　　　　　　　 C. crying　　　　　　　　 D. talking　

43. A. offered　　　　　　　　　 B. afforded　　　　　　　 C. invited　　　　　　　　 D. chosen

44. A. moved　　　　　　　　　 B. touched　　　　　　　 C. told　　　　　　　　　　 D.　　　 helped

45. A. progress　　　　　　　　 B. sense　　　　　　　　　 C. trouble　　　　　　　　 D. difference

46. A. receive　　　　　　　　　 B. send　　　　　　　　　　 C. give　　　　　　　　　　 D. create

　　 It was a cold winter's night when I stopped for gas(汽油) on my way home from work. I was tired and had a little　 41.

　　 I worked in a　 42 doctor's office, and during those days many unexpected things happened. It seemed that I was going to be late getting home today. My husband who is a punctual(守时的~) person would be ready to　 43　 .again. Maybe　 44　 I hurried, I could still arrive home earlier.

　　 I was going inside to　 45　 for my gas when I noticed an older couple at the counter(柜台). I heard them asking for　 46　 to the local hospital. It was the same hospital that I had just　 47 a few minutes ago.

　　 At the counter, a young man was quite 48　 . He was trying to 49 how to get there,with two other people. One of them was　 50 .trying to give them a whole different route back. It was then that I walked over to the couple and said, "Would you like to follow me to the　 51 　?"

　　 A look of　 52　 appeared on the woman's face.

　　 "I'm going right by there," I said, and it was a(n) 　53　 since I had just decided to do exactly that.

　　 I got into my car and began the journey back. I was trying to make them be sure they were right　 54 me. It took only fifteen minutes to get there. I felt　 55　 than I had all day and my headache was nearly gone.

　　 Later, as I arrived home, my husband teased(嘲笑), "So you aren't ever late any more." I said,"Sometimes it's good to be late."

41. A. headache　　　 B. fever　　　　　　 C. cold　　　　　　 D. break

42. A. foreign　　　　 B. busy　　　　　　 C. crucial　　　　　 D. noisy

43. A. relax　　　　　 B. offend　　　　　　 C. complain　　　　 D. appear

44. A. while　　　　 B. since　　　　　　 C. as　　　　　　　 D. if

45. A. wait　　　　　 B. look　　　　　　 C. care　　　　　　 D. search

46. A. money　　　　 B. trouble　　　　　 C. directions　　　　 D. opinions

47. A. risked　　　　 B. provided　　 　　　C. called　　　　　 D. left

48. A. helpful　　　　 B. skilled　　　　　 C. confused　　　　 D. active

49. A. imagine　　　 B. expect　　　　　 C. explain　　　　　 D. urge

50. A. only　　　　　 B. even　　　　　　 C. still　　　　　　　 D. ever

51. A. station　　　　 B. office　　　　　　 C. hospital　　　　　 D. hotel

52. A. panic　　　　 B. pleasure　　　　　 C. sadness　　　　　 D. peace .

53. A. dream　　　　 B. fact　　　　　　 C. reason　　　　　 D. example

54. A. behind　　　　 B. before　　　　　　 C. below　　　　　　 D. beside

55. A. duller　　　　 B. quieter　　　　　 C. worse　　　　　　 D. better