完形填空。
My husband Jeff and I moved into our new home in Scottsbluff last year just before Christmas. I did not
have the1or energy to carry out my traditional Christmas decorating and baking activities. What was the
point, anyway? It was going to be a2Christmas after all.
3 , the neighborly nature of west Nebraska residents started to trickle (陆续来临) in.
There was a4on the door one evening. It was Jeff's new colleague, John Smith, and his wife, Phyllis.
The Smiths had stopped by to5us to town with a loaf of homemade bread. They pointed out a6on the
porch (门廊). Apparently the doorbell wasn't working in the cold snowy weather and we had7a visit from
the Browns, our across-the-street neighbors, who brought us a Christmas card and more Christmas cookies.
The8feelings brought by these thoughtful gestures lasted longer than the food.
As Jeff and I were clearing pre-Christmas9from our driveway, Ernie Guzman came over from next door
to10us to dig out.
Then, we received an invitation to11a Christmas Eve meal with our neighbors, Ernie and Nancy Sommer,
and their12-a 90-year-old lady, who also had no family in the immediate area with whom to spend the holiday.
Our Christmas Eve was quite merry, thanks to our13.
Our Christmas morning14was special, thanks to the Smiths' gift of bread. I was so15for these gestures
of welcome, especially during the holidays.
This year, we were again unable to be with our families for Christmas. The16and work schedules just
made things too difficult.17that sense of Christmas isolation (孤立) all too well, we decided to try to round
up some other folks who were18in the holidays.
Lonely people are all around us, but most of us19notice them. Just take a look around you. Sometimes,
the smallest20gesture can make a world of difference.
( )1. A. chance
( )2. A. merry
( )3. A. Therefore
( )4. A. card
( )5. A. welcome
( )6. A. tree
( )7. A. forgot
( )8. A. deep
( )9. A. snow
( )10. A. teach
( )11. A. share
( )12. A. aunt
( )13. A. folks
( )14. A. call
( )15. A. sorry
( )16. A. distance
( )17. A. Studying
( )18. A. alone
( )19. A. always
( )20. A. careful B. time
B. free
B. Meanwhile
B. sign
B. invite
B. package
B. arranged
B. true
B. rubbish
B. help
B. prepare
B. guest
B. relatives
B. greeting
B. eager
B. expense
B. Showing
B. busy
B. seldom
B. patient

C. anxiety
C. lonely
C. Somehow
C. knock
C. drive
C. mail
C. received
C. warm
C. dust
C. urge
C. taste
C. maid
C. colleagues
C. breakfast
C. ready
C. season
C. Knowing
C. happy
C. finally
C. vague

D. ability
D. usual
D. However
D. note
D. send
D. flower
D. missed
D. mixed
D. leaves
D. forbid
D. exchange
D. partner
D. neighbors
D. meeting
D. grateful
D. situation
D. Discovering
D. active
D. usually
D. kind