The night is clear and the air is crisp. 31 falls gently on the ground. Tonight is Christmas Eve. Off in the 32 I hear the voice of approaching carolers (唱圣歌者). I quickly close the door 33 the sounds of Christmas. Tonight is just too 34 as I think of “Christmas Without Them”.
Is Christmas ever the same when we are without our 35 ones? The traditions I have loved since childhood have changed into something new and
36 . As an adult, I find myself with feelings of a child, frightened and
37 . I have no parent to 38 me. Tears flow and I feel my heart
39 . Sometimes, I find myself standing in the midst (在…当中) of
40 with tears running down my cheeks.
I spot the shoppers who try not to stare, while others, forgetting they are strangers, stop to offer a smile of understanding. I begin to realize I am not alone with these types of feelings. All of a sudden the 41 come flooding in.
How 42 I am to have such wonderful memories of my wonderful
43 and the times we shared together. Just as 44 as the memories brought tears the same memories appeared again to spread 45 . Memories have a way of making the 46 bearable (可忍受的). I remember. I smile.
My thoughts are once again returned to the children. Their sounds of singing grow 47 . I open my door to find their half-frozen faces, smiling 48
at me.
Christmas without them may never be the same, but, from out of the darkness
49 memories flood my heart. I can almost hear my parents’ voices telling me the story of this most holy night. Like a message from above, I listen as the
50 sing, “Sleep in heavenly peace”.
31. A. Rain | B. Sorrow | C. Snow | D. Laughter |
32. A. shop | B. distance | C. street | D. sky |
33. A. coming out | B. shouting out | C. giving out | D. keeping out |
34. A. peaceful | B. painful | C. terrible | D. wonderful |
35. A. loved | B. respected | C. powerful | D. devoted |
36. A. unexpected | B. true | C. important | D. unnecessary |
37. A. hopeless | B. upset | C. helpless | D. alone |
38. A. teach | B. encourage | C. comfort | D. support |
39. A. falling | B. breaking | C. moving | D. beating |
40. A. shoppers | B. friends | C. neighbors | D. strangers |
41. A. feelings | B. voices | C. memories | D. gifts |
42. A. lucky | B. surprised | C. disappointed | D. anxious |
43. A. classmates | B. parents | C. teachers | D. relatives |
44. A. possibly | B. simply | C. quickly | D. silently |
45. A. wish | B. smile | C. money | D. joy |
46. A. regret | B. night | C. noise | D. emptiness |
47. A. closer | B. higher | C. cleaner | D. further |
48. A. excitedly | B. brightly | C. honestly | D. directly |
49. A. valuable | B. terrible | C. unforgettable | D. pleasant |
50. A. actors | B. visitors | C. children | D. singers |
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