In the doorway of my home, I looked closely at my
23-year-old son, Daniel. In a few hours he would be flying to France to 36
a different life. It was a transitional（過渡的）time
in Daniel's life. I wanted to 37 him some
words of significance. But nothing came from my lips, and this was not the 38
time I had let such moments pass.
When Daniel was five, I took him to the bus stop on
his first day of kindergarten. He asked, “What is it going to be like, Dad? Can
I do it?” Then he walked 39 the steps of the bus
and disappeared inside. The bus drove away and I said nothing. A decade later,
a similar 40 played itself out. I drove him to college. As I
started to leave, I tried to think of something to say to give him 41
and confidence as he started this new stage of life. Again, words 42 me.
Now, as I stood before him, I thought of those 43
opportunities. How many times have I let such moments 44
? I don't find a quiet moment to tell him what they have 45 to
me. Or what he might 46 to face in the years
ahead. Maybe I thought it was not necessary to say anything.
What does it matter in the course of a lifetime if a
father never tells a son what he really thinks of him? 47
as I stood before Daniel, I knew that it did matter. My father and I
loved each other. Yet, I always 48 never
hearing him put his 49 into words. Now I
could feel my palms sweat and my throat tighten. Why is it so 50
to tell a son something from the heart?
My mouth turned dry, and I knew I would be able to get
out only a few words clearly. “Daniel,” I said, “If I could have picked, I
would have picked you.” That's all I could say. He hugged me. For a moment, the
world 51 , and there were just Daniel and me. He was
saying something, but tears misted my eyes, and I couldn't understand what he
was saying. All I was 52 of was the stubble（短須）on his chin as his face pressed 53
mine. What I had said to Daniel was 54 . It was
nothing. And yet, it was 55 .
1.A. experience B.
spend C. enjoy
D. shape
2.A.
show B.
give C.
leave D.
instruct
3.A.
last B.
first C.
very D.
next
4.A.
upward B.
into C.
down D. up
5.A. sign B.
scene C.
scenery D. sight
6.A.
interest B.
instruction C.
courage D. direction
7.A.
failed B.
discouraged C.
struck D. troubled
8.A.
future B.
embarrassing C.
obvious D. lost
9.A.
last B.
pass C.
fly
D. remain
10.A.
counted B.
meant C.
valued D.
eared
11.A.
think B.
want C.
expect D.
wish
12.A.
But B.
And C.
Instead D.
So
13.A. wondered B.
regretted C.
minded D. tried
14.A.
views B.
actions C.
feelings D. attitudes
15.A. important B.
essential C.
hard D.
complex
16.A. disappeared B.
changed C.
progressed D. advanced
17.A. sensitive B.
convinced C.
aware D. tired
18.A.
by B.
against C.
on
D. with
19.A. clumsy B.
gentle C.
absurd D.
moving
20.A.
none B.
all C.
anything D. everything
