You Are Going Places

One day I came home from school, changed my clothes and got ready for work. I work at a local restaurant in town as a cashier and waiter.

　　　 I went to work feeling 　21　 . And to make matters worse, I was busy that evening. It' s the same thing over and over again. 22 with customers who complain about their food and where they are 23 is too big or too small. Little things like that tend to 24 a lot of us 25 but we manage to deal with it.

　　　 Three elderly ladies walked in and sat by the windows. It happened to be the very 26 near where I keep the dirty 27 in the boxes. Trying to keep up with all the dirty tables, customers leaving and coming in and 28 running all over the house, it was crazy. 29 these elderly women were watching 30 I was working to make sure every table was clean and ready for the next customers.

　　　 When they 31 their meals, I took their plates back to the kitchen. They talked to me for a while about school, how I was doing, what 32 I was in and what I planned to do in the future.

　　　 33 they were leaving, they walked past me and one of them said to me in a 34 and gentle voice, “You are going places.” And that was it. They left the 35 and I had tears in my eyes, because they gave me 36 to believe in myself. They 37 my spirit from being down and gave me a 38 to keep on working hard.

　　　 People used to tell me that I couldn’t have a career in 39 until I had a degree. I'm now a co-anchor （联合主持人）of a student-produced television 40 . And the best thing is: I'm only 17 years old and I am a senior in high school.

21. A. tired　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. excited　　　　　　　　　　 C. up　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. down

22. A. Dealing　　　　　　　　　　 B. Helping　　　　　　　　　　 C. Talking　　　　　　　　　　 D. Meeting

23. A. sat　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. seated　　　　　　　　　　 C. laid　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. seating

24. A. attract　　　　　　　　　　　 B. avoid　　　　　　　　　　　 C. adjust　　　　　　　　　　　 D. annoy

25. A. employees　　　　　　　　 B. customers C. boss D. employers

26. A. table　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. box　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. spot　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. kitchen

27. A. dishes　　　　　　　　　　　 B. rooms　　　　　　　　　　 C. clothes　　　　　　　　　　 D. chairs

28. A. men　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. women　　　　　　　　　　 C. servers　　　　　　　　　　 D. people

29. A. And　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. Otherwise　　　　　　　　 C. But　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. So

30. A. what　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. how　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. where　　　　　　　　　　 D. why

31. A. finished．　　　　　　　　 B. completed　　　　　　　　 C. ordered　　　　　　　　　 D. got

32. A. place　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. grade　　　　　　　　　　　 C. mark　　　　　　　　　　　 D. position

33. A. Before　　　　　　　　　　　 B. While　　　　　　　　　　　 C. As　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. After

34. A. confident　　　　　　　　　 B. loud　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. low　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. pleasant

35. A. kitchen　　　　　　　　　　 B. house　　　　　　　　　　　 C. restaurant　　　　　　　　 D. table

36. A. ability　　　　　　　　　　　 B. courage　　　　　　　　　 C. imagination　　　　　　　 D. time

37. A. put down　　　　　　　　　 B. picked up C. took 　over　 D. pointed out

38. A. cause　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. reason C. present　 D. permission

39. A. television　　　　　　　　　 B. government C. school D. restaurant

40. A. company　　　　　　　　　 B. station C. show D. advertisement

I have learnt a lot about Chinese life and culture while teaching in China and found them very interesting．

First, family life is quite 　36 in China from that in the USA． In the USA, many young people 　37 home after they finish their education and start working． However, in China, it is 　38 for people to live with their parents until they get married． 　39 , many of my Chinese friends told me that their 40 lived with them and helped take care of them when they were children． It seems that Americans think independence is more important 　41 the Chinese think family relationships are more important．

Bargaining is another 　42 that I have tried to learn． In the USA, prices are 　43 and you can’t ask for a lower price． However in some small Chinese stores and tourist places, you are 　44 to bargain． My Chinese friends taught me to ask for 40 percent or 50 percent 　45 the original price． If the salesperson doesn’t agree to my price, I should 　46 to leave and he might let me come back and sell me the item． It is a skill that you have to 　47 if you live in China．

Tipping hasn’t been easier to 　48 ． In the USA, many people in the service 　49 want to get 　50 money for serving customers． Tipping is not a part of Chinese culture． 　51 I tried to tip a taxi driver． He looked a little 　52 and refused to take the money．

In dinners, perhaps what surprises an American visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their 　53 ． Actually, this is a 　54 of true friendship and politeness． My Chinese friend told me if I didn’t want to eat it, I should just 　55 the food in the plate．

36．A．unique　　　　　　　　 B．different　　　　　　　　 C．private　　　　　　　　　 D．harmonious

37．A．come　　　　　　　　 B．build　　　　　　　　　　　 C．leave　　　　　　　　　　 D．abandon

38．A．regular　　　　　　　 B．true　　　　　　　　　　　 C．common　　　　　　　　 D．usual

39．A．Also　　　　　　　　　 B．However　　　　　　　　 C．Therefore　　　　　　　 D．Although

40．A．parents　　　　　　　 B．relatives　　　　　　　　 C．babysitters　　　　　　 D. grandparents

41．A．while　　　　　　　　 B．since　　　　　　　　　　 C．when　　　　　　　　　　 D．as

42．A．way　　　　　　　　　 B．custom　　　　　　　　　 C．method　　　　　　　　　 D．habit

43．A．made　　　　　　　　 B．agreed　　　　　　　　　 C．charged　　　　　　　　 D．set

44．A．expected　　　　　　 B．taught　　　　　　　　　　 C．suggested　　　　　　　 D．required

45．A．up　　　　　　　　　　 B．away　　　　　　　　　　 C．off　　　　　　　　　　　　 D．on

46．A．promise　　　　　　　 B．pretend　　　　　　　　　 C．decide　　　　　　　　　 D．hope

47．A．tolerate　　　　　　　 B．understand　　　　　　 C．practise　　　　　　　　 D．consider

48．A．adjust to　　　　　　 B．turn to　　　　　　　　　 C．refer to　　　　　　　　　 D．stick to

49．A．area　　　　　　　　　 B．department　　　　　　 C．branch　　　　　　　　　 D．industry

50．A．easy　　　　　　　　　 B．extra　　　　　　　　　　　 C．pocket　　　　　　　　　 D．prize

51．A．Often　　　　　　　　 B．Once　　　　　　　　　　 C．Sometimes　　　　　　 D．Before

52．A．excited　　　　　　　 B．satisfied　　　　　　　　 C．frightened　　　　　　　 D．confused

53．A．own　　　　　　　　　 B．children　　　　　　　　 C．neighbors　　　　　　　 D．guests　

54．A．signal　　　　　　　　 B．mark　　　　　　　　　　 C．sign　　　　　　　　　　　 D．feature

55．A．leave　　　　　　　　　 B．remain　　　　　　　　　 C．put　　　　　　　　　　　　 D．taste

　 It’s only after three weeks into a new job that I made a serious mistake． My boss called it “extremely embarrassing” in a company-wide e-mail — which, 　 36　 , he wrote because he felt he needed to explain that what I did was something 　 37　 in the company should ever do． I wish I 　 38　 give a good excuse for what I did． At the very least, I wish I could explain it somehow — 　 39　 it on youth, inexperience or ignorance． Unfortunately, I’m 　 40　 , experienced and I know better．

　 41　 I work with some very kind and compassionate （富于同情心的） people． For the past couple of days many of them have taken time to 　 42　 by my desk and offer comfort, encouragement and support． Some have shared with me similar 　 43　 they have made． Evidently I’m not the only “　 44　 ” person here．

One of the exchanges I had this week was with Lois, the much-honored, much-respected professional who 　 45　 the desk right next to mine． Lois was completely 　 46　 about her work, and to be honest I was a little nervous about how she would 　 47　 to such an extremely embarrassing incident．

As I expected, Lois didn’t pass over the 　 48　 when she saw me the next day． She mentioned it directly, 　 49　 with empathetic consideration． She listened to my 　 50　 ． Just as I was ready to express my regrets, she brought my self-pity partly to a（n） 　 51　 ．

“It happened”, she said, “There’s nothing you can do to 　 52　 that． It happened． But it’s over now． It’s 　 53　 ． It’s in the past． You need to let it go, and move on．” And with that she returned her 　 54　 to her work, as if to say, “We’re done here．”

I beat myself up for weeks． At such times I need to remember those 　 55　 words: It’s over． It’s done． Let it go． And mostly, move on．

36．A． by the way 　　　　 B． in the way 　　　　　 C． on the way 　　　　 D． to the way

37．A． someone 　　　　　 B． anyone 　　　　　　　 C． no one 　　　　　　　 D． the one

38．A． should 　　　　　　　　 B． might 　　　　　　　　 C． will 　　　　　　　　　 D． could

39．A． fix 　　　　　　　　　 B． blame 　　　　　　　　 C． rely 　　　　　　　　　 D． put

40．A． outgoing 　　　　　　 B． old 　　　　　　　　　　 C． cheerful 　　　　　　 D． energetic

41．A． Thankfully 　　　　　 B． Naturally 　　　　　　 C． Generally 　　　　　 D． Hopefully

42．A． work 　　　　　　　　 B． stop 　　　　　　　　 C． watch 　　　　　　　　 D． sit

43．A． decisions 　　　　　　 B． troubles 　　　　　　 C． attempts 　　　　　　 D． mistakes

44．A． annoying 　　　　　　 B． confusing 　　　　　 C． embarrassing 　　　 D． puzzling

45．A． repairs 　　　　　　　 B． wants 　　　　　　　　 C． works 　　　　　　　　 D． occupies

46．A． mad 　　　　　　　　　 B． serious 　　　　　　　 C． curious 　　　　　　　 D． hopeful

47．A． react 　　　　　　　　　 B． agree 　　　　　　　　　 C． turn 　　　　　　　　　 D． adjust

48．A． issue 　　　　　　　　　 B． outcome 　　　　　　 C． standard 　　　　　 D． message

49．A． for 　　　　　　　　　　 B． therefore 　　　　　　 C． but 　　　　　　　　　 D． otherwise

50．A． challenge 　　　　　　 B． imagination　　　　　 C． conclusion 　　　　 D． explanation

51．A． order 　　　　　　　　 B． key 　　　　　　　　　　 C． end 　　　　　　　　　　 D． process

52．A． forget 　　　　　　　 B． ruin 　　　　　　　　　 C． prevent 　　　　　　　 D． change

53．A． broken 　　　　　　 B． done 　　　　　　　　 C． lost 　　　　　　　　　　 D． kept

54．A． attention 　　　　　　 B． skill 　　　　　　　　　　 C． patience 　　　　　　 D． interest

55．A． sweet 　　　　　　　　 B． pleasant 　　　　　　 C． meaningful 　　　　 D． colorful

When I was young I loved taking part in high school musicals．I loved to 　31 in front of hundreds of people．In one production, I auditioned（试音）like 32 else. My music teacher was to 　33 that I would get a particular part in the music drama. The part I thought I had was a 　34 lead who sang some of the most beautiful love songs.

But one day the show director pulled me aside. I was 　35 to be offered the leading role. To my disappointment, he said, “Bob, I found a boy with an excellent voice. I need to give the 　36 to him.”

From that moment on I began hating music class. I 37 that I didn’t like what we were singing. My music teacher didn’t know why. She 38 me in front of the class and told me I had changed. She didn’t know what I had been told. But when they 39 the finalists I was given a 　40 role. For some time my pride was 　41 with having to do something I didn’t think I should be doing. But I didn’t it. The minor rold I had 　42 to be much more fun than I had expected. My performance even 　43 my brother who was also in the audience.

Life is really like a 　44 and although we do not audition for the role, each of us is 　45 by the director to play a certain part in it. The 46 is that we sometimes don’t like the part we are given. Like me in high school I became 　47 –if I couldn’t be the lead, I wouldn’t show up for rehearsal（彩排）.

Then we wonder why we feel so 　48 . Sometimes we don’t even feel like we are a part of the “Big Show. ” Everyone does indeed have a role. Some are in front of the curtain, some are behind, but all are 49 for the show to go on All 　50 to success no matter how minor the part is.

31．A．debate　　　　　　　　 B．broadcast　　　　　　　　　 C．sing　　　　　　　　　　　 D．show

32．A．someone　　　　　　 B．everyone　　　　　　　　　 C．anyone　　　　　　　　　 D．no one

33．A．prejudiced　　　　　 B．concerned　　　　　　　　 C．unexpected　 　　　 D．convinced

34．A．romantic　 　　 B．ridiculous　　　　 C．mysterious　 　　　 D．sensitive

35．A．attempting　 　　 B．expecting　　　　 C．volunteering　　 　 D．pretending

36．A．part　　　 　　 B．deal　　　　　　　 C．favor　　　　 　 D．item

37．A．assessed　　 　　 B．advocated　　　　 C．concluded　　 　 D．complained

38．A．warned　　 　　 B．scolded　　　　　 C．informed　　　 　 D．suspected

39．A．presented　　 　 B．identified C．announced D．delivered

40．A．specific　　 　 B．super　　　　　　 C．slight　　　 　　　 D．small

41．A．struggling　 　　 B．competing　　　　 　 C．swinging　　 　　　 D．changing

42．A．happened 　　　　 B．proved　　　　　 C．expanded　　　 　 D．switched

43．A．terrified: 　　　　　 B．disappointed　　　 C．surprised　　 　　 D．embarrassed

44．A．joke　　 　　　　 B．journey　　　　　 C．stage　　　 　　　 D．play

45．A．appointed　 　　　 B．attached　　　　　 C．employed　　 　　 D．instructed

46．A．reason　　　 　 B．problem　　　 　　　　 C．balance　　　 　　 D．focus

47．A．curious　　 　　 B．helpless　　　 　　　　 C．angry　　　 　　　 D．positive

48．A．exhausted　　 　 B．lost　　　　 　　　　　 C．delighted　　 　　 D．thrilled

49．A．necessary　　　　　 B．dependent　　　　　　　　　 C．natural　　　　　　　　　 D．perfect

50．A．react B．adjust C．refer D．contribute

When I entered the Latin class as a high school freshman ，I had no idea that the teacher would be one of the most influential people in my life. Miss Siegesmund 36 out as a graceful lady, dressed 37 in a colorful suit. Her dark brown hair shone like gold ，and she was ele?gant. “ 38 are not supposed to be attractive. ” I thought to myself. However, she soon proved to have a winning personality to 39 _ her looks.

At first, I was so shy that I often crossed the street to 40 _talking to classmates and re?mained 41 around others. My mother did not believe in praise as it would 42 too much pride in myself. This strange 43 had a negative influence on my childhood,

I 44 in my Latin class as Miss Siegesmund believed in me. She listened to 45 I said. Her Latin class was fun and the stories from Roman history seemed to come 46 _. She taught good study habits, and I received an A in every class. I 47 _participated in a speech contest before the entire student body. Can you imagine the 48 I had made to arrive at that point? I 49 third in the contest. Miss Siegesmund said, “You should have won. You were 50 !” I thought to myself, “She has so 51 faith in me. ” Soon, my high school days hit an even — 52 peak.

I think of myself as a little dove with a 53 wing. My teacher became my 54 on earth. She mended my wing and 55 _me to fly. I shall never forget her for she was one of the most influential people in my life.

36. A. sang　　　　　　 B. spoke　　　　　　　　　　　 C. stood　　　　　　　　　　　 D. picked

37. A. fashionable B. fortunately　　　　　　　 C. casually　　　　　　　　　 D. particularly

38. A. Students　　　 B. Teachers　　　　　　　　 C. Classmates　　　　　　　 D. Freshmen

39. A. match　　　　　 B. adjust　　　　　　　　　　　 C. change　　　　　　　　　　 D. ruin

40. A. keep　　　　　　 B. practise　　　　　　　　　 C. enjoy　　　　　　　　　　　 D. avoid

41. A. disappointed B. embarrassed　　　　　　　 C. delighted　　　　　　　　　 D. astonished

42. A. result in　　　 B. make up　　　　　　　　　 C. go with　　　　　　　　　　 D. take out

43. A. excuse　　　　 B. cause　　　　　　　　　　　 C. case　　　　　　　　　　　　 D? belief

44. A. changed　　　 B. suffered　　　　　　　　　 C. relieved　　　　　　　　　　 D. admitted

45. A. however　　　 B. whatever　　　　　　　　　 C. whenever　　　　　　　　 D. whichever

46. A. simple　　　　　 B. true　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. alive　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. lovely

47. A. hardly　　　　　 B. ever　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. even　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. never

48. A. progress　　　 B. fortune　　　　　　　　　　 C. promise　　　　　　　　　　 D. decision

49. A. spoke　　　　　 B. placed　　　　　　　　　　　 C. believed　　　　　　　　　　 D. found

50. A. realistic　　　　 B. flexible　　　　　　　　　　 C. reliable　　　　　　　　　　 D. fantastic

51. A. few　　　　　　　 B. much　　　　　　　　　　　 C. little　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. many

52. A. wider　　　　　 B. deeper　　　　　　　　　　　 C. higher　　　　　　　　　　　 D. larger

53. A. broken　　　　 B. lost　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. fallen　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. ruined

54. A. mother　　　　 B. model　　　　　　　　　　　 C. aim　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. angel

55. A. applied　　　　 B. drove　　　　　　　　　　　 C. allowed　　　　　　　　　　 D. informed