More than three decades ago, I was a student at a high school in Southern California. The student body of 3,200 was a melting pot of ethnic groups. The environment was 21 .
One day I was walking down the side walk when someone kicked me from behind. Turning 22 , I discovered the local gang. Fists came from every 23 as the 15 gang members surrounded me. 24 I had to have an operation. My doctor told me that if I had been hit in the head 25 , I probably would have died.
After I 26 , some friends said, “Let’s get these guys!” That was the way 27 were “resolved”. A part of me said, “Yes!” But another part of me 28 and said no. History has proved time and again that revenge only 29 the conflict. We needed to do something different to break the counter-productive(适得其反的) chain of 30 .
Working with various ethnic groups, we 31 what we called a “Brotherhood Committee” to work on improving 32 relationships. I was amazed to learn how much 33 fellow students had in building a brighter future.
Two years later, I 34 Student Body President. Even though I ran against two friends, one a football hero and the other a popular “big man of the campus”, a significant majority of the 3,200 students joined me in the 35 of doing things differently. We made significant progress in building bridges between 36 , learning how to talk with and 37 different ethnic groups, resolving differences without 38 and learning how to build trust in the most difficult of circumstances.
Being stacked by the gang was clearly one of my toughest life moments. What I learned, 39 , about
responding with love rather than returning hate has been a 40 force in my life. Turning up our light in the presence of those whose light is dim(昏暗的)becomes the difference that makes the difference.
21. A. clear B. tough C. protective D. dirty
22. A. around B. on C. into D. out
23. A. means B. situation C. approach D. direction
24. A. Gradually B. Regularly C. Eventually D. Frequently
25. A. over time B. one more time C. ahead of time D. in no time
26. A. treated B. recovered C. suffered D. calmed
27. A. conditions B. atmospheres C. fantasies D. problems
28. A. paused B. agreed C. started D. proceeded
29. A. remains B. finishes C. continues D. proves
30. A. accidents B. items C. events D. scenes
31. A. put together B. put aside C. put back D. put down
32. A. political B. racial C. civil D. national
33. A. sympathy B. knowledge C. honor D. interest
34. A. voted for B. ran for C. fought for D. called for
35. A. need B. danger C. process D. way
36. A. cultures B. schools C. banks D. ranks
37. A. belong to B. lead to C. relate to D. devote to
38. A. agreement B. demonstration C. justice D. violence
39. A. hence B. however C. moreover D. then
40. A. powerful B. peaceful C. careful D. thoughtful
21~25 BADCB 26~30 BDACC 31~35 ABDBC 36~40 ACDBA