完形填空

        About 15 years ago I was studying at a University in Münster, Germany. The people I spent most of my1 with were a group of friends. Sometimes we went out together for parties, 2most of the time we did our own3back at someone's home. First we sat and talked and at some point during the night we4the chairs and tables and started dancing. It may not 5that special, but what was special to me was the 6we shared for each other.7, when someone had to find a new8, moving from one flat to the other, these friends were there.In the eyes you saw support, you saw9, making jokes, teasing and laughing about 10and weak points from each other, but always there was this11no one is better or worse. You felt there was always a shoulder you could 12on.

       Time passed by and we all went our own ways, following our own 13. I made my way passing Ireland and India for several 14so far. Now just a few days ago I met one of my old friends again. We sat and talked and after 15 years we shared our 15again from that time. On my way back home from our16it made me think. The last days were full of 17for me and my thoughts and feelings were just 18around them. Now I came back from this meeting and the memories we19were like a crystal(水晶) ball. All my 20feelings from the last days couldn't touch what was inside this ball. These memories spread like a virus through my thoughts and feelings and left me safe and warm and happy.

Notes：

①spread v ． 漫延，传播 ②strength n ． 力量；长处

    I have been in love with China since 2010.

    After one year in Zhejiang University,I got a great1—to work as an assistant manager in a big hotel.The best part of this job was that I was the only2,so I got a good chance to understand Chinese culture and practice my3.

    Actually,I have got 4I supposed to.I have got valuable experience,devoted friends and the feeling that I am not laowai anymore.

Guests were pleasantly surprised to see me there,because I was an interpreter,trip adviser,and5guide at the same time,which made their life much6.I met people from all over the world,who came to China for the first time, 7who knew China better than me.8my Chinese colleagues,who had answers to all the questions about9,I could explain why you should10before you buy,why Chinese don't let guests11dinner,why it is not common to book a taxi and why it is better to catch12on the street.I also had chances to13the development of China.

    The waiters and managers were not only my teachers,but14my friends.If I needed help,they were15to help me.I enjoyed our small conversations16they were kind and educated.I was very proud and happy of the fact that all of them17me and I don't feel18anymore.

    The best part of my job was to see people coming19the hotel.When they recognized me,they20share their adventures,burdens,even thoughts with me.It means the world to me.I spent there 8 months and it was a period when I was proud to be who I am.

       On our first anniversary, Jack bought a bottle of Casaque, an expensive cologne（古龙香水）for me. "We agreed to save the money for your postgraduate education", I said somewhat half-heartedly as I took it out from a beautifully-wrapped packet. "I am unable not to give something 1 to the world's most beautiful bride, honey!" I held it to my2, and smelled the most pleasant flavor I could ever3. Looking down at my4blue jeans and ugly, ragged tennis shoes, I wondered if I could ever be worthy of it. But I would 5. I used only a little of it every time 6Jack graduated and our life was financially easier. It's a 7the foolish love of a young husband.

       Then one day three-year-old Jim was sitting on the floor8the empty cologne bottle. His lips wet, he was making a(n) 9face. He drank my10cologne! "Jack, come quick," I cried, "can cologne11my baby? Jim drank the rest of it!" "It's mostly just alcohol, honey," Jack12me. Little Jim was fine, and my concern for my child was13. I now felt 14to see the empty cologne bottle.

      A few weeks later, Jack bought another bottle of my beloved cologne. I 15it as much as I had done to the earlier one. 16, it became three-quarters empty. I thought it best to buy another 17. But the shop assistant told me that there wasn't even a maker of that brand any more.

    Now I only use my special cologne on very important occasions, because there will be18to replace it when these last few precious19are gone. But from the bottom of my heart it's not three-quarters empty but still one-quarter full. Perhaps if I'm very careful, I can 20using it for the rest of my life.

    A few weeks ago I was at the comer store, and there stood an old lady in front of me in line. She seemed very 1 when the cashier asked her to pay $ 38.00. She had about $ 5.00 in her wallet, and she began to 2. The cashier became very 3, telling her that she cannot buy these 4 because she didn't have enough money. So, I told the cashier not to 5 it, and that I would 6 the difference. The cashier gave me a funny look,7 I really felt for this woman.

    Anyway, I paid for my groceries and 8 the store. When I got outside, I saw the lady standing there. I asked her what was 9. She said that she could not remember where she lived, and she began to cry again. I said some names of the 10 around the area but she had no clue (线索). Just then, a car 11and a woman jumped out of the car. It was this lady's daughter. I 12 that her mother couldn't find her way home. The daughter told me that she had Alzheimer's disease (阿尔茨海默病) and that she had been 13 off a lot lately. Then the daughter14 that her mother had 3 - bags of groceries and wondered 15 she got the money to pay for them. I was not 16 if I should tell her that I paid for them, but I did.

The daughter wanted to pay me back, but I 17. The daughter said “Thank you” and I said “Good bye”.

    I felt so 18and happy right through the day, because making others feel 19 makes me feel good. I know that if this 20 happened again, I would do the same thing.

    We were depressed and things were tough. Mom had a 1time raising us on her own because Dad died five years ago. We relied on social assistance for 2.

    Looking back, I 3remember what Mom went through to send us to school. I studied hard then. Every morning, she would put a new piece of cardboard in our shoes because our shoes were 4. Constant moving was typical for my family in these times. Rent was 25 dollars a month but Mom couldn't 5it. Though it was hard, we never 6. Christmas was approaching. We were given 25 dollars for social services. Instead of buying food, Mom would use the money to pay the 7, ensuring us all of a 8over our head.9we had nothing for Christmas.

    Unknown to Mom, I had been selling Christmas trees to earn enough money for a new pair of 10. On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, I was 11to go to catch the bus.

    As I reached the stop, I began to feel 12. I was going to buy a new pair of boots13Mom was at home in tears.  My mind was 14and I realized what I had to do. I didn't get on the 15.

    I went in a grocery store and bought the Christmas treats. I 16home and put them quietly against the door. I knocked on the door. When Mom opened the door, 17rolled into the house. She just stood there 18. I managed to hold back the 19, saying, "Merry Christmas, Mom! There really is a Santa Claus!"

    That day I got many 20and kisses from Mom. It was a Merry Christmas for us after all!

    I sat down at my desk and started writing a letter of thankfulness, but when it came to actually putting the letter into the mailbox... I 1 ...I couldn't do it. I suddenly felt a sense of 2and insecurity (不安).

    The letter was to an old teacher with whom I kept in 3 on Facebook. For months, I read about what she 4 on her Facebook page, which helped me to live my life differently. Her volunteer (志愿者) work wasn't huge. 5, she was doing small, local good deeds.6 , she changed my views on the world and for some reason, I felt I should let her know how her example7 influenced me.

    I could have easily sent her an email, but that seemed not enough for such an important thank-you. That's why I ended up8 the letter. But now here I was, standing before the mailbox, unable to put the envelope inside. What was stopping me? It suddenly hit me that I was 9 of being too nice. I guess I felt strange 10 it wasn't like she was my best friend or a relative. Maybe my 11 was too heartfelt. Thinking this over, I put the envelope in the mailbox 12.

    Weeks later I received a message from her. It turned out she was 13 a hard time and my note 14 a lot to her. She said she had no idea she was playing such a big 15in others' life.

    Not only did this letter make her happier, but her response to it brightened my world and 16my level of happiness as well. I was so 17 that it had such a great influence on her that I decided to write a(n) 18 letter to someone each month. Now it's easier for me to19 the goodness in others and be more20 for this beautiful life I'm living.