Instroduction to Letters to Sam
Dear Reader，
Please allow me to tell you something before you read this book. When my 36 ,Sam, was born, my heart was filled with joy. I had been sitting in a wheelchair for 20 years before then,and I have been 37 ill many times.So I wonderfuled if would have the 38 to tell Sam what I had 39 .
For years I have been hosting a program on the 40 and writing articles for a magazine.Being 41 to move freely,I have learned to sit still and keep my heart 42 , exchanging thoughts with thousands of listeners and 43 . So when Sam was born ,I 44 to tell him about school and friendship,Romance and work,Love and everything else. That’s how I started to write these 45 . I hoped that Sam would 46 them sooner or later.
However,that expedition 47 when Sam showed signs of autism(自闭症)at the age of two.He had actually stopped talking before the discovery of the signs.He 48 to communicate with others,even the family members.That was 49 for me but didn’t stop me writing on.I realized that I had even 50 now to tell him.I wanted him to 51 what it means to be “different ”from others,and learn how to fight against the misfortune he’ll 52 as I myself,his grandfather,did. I just 53 if I could write all that I wanted to say in the rest of my life.
Now, 54 the book has been published,I have been given the chance.Every chapter in the book is a letter to Sam:some about my life,and all about what it means to be a 55 .
Daniel GOttliebe
A．son B．Nephew C．brother D．grandson
A．seriously B．mentally C．slightly D．quietly
A．ability B．Time C．courage D．responsibility
A．written B．suffered C．observed D．lost
A．Radio B．Television C．stage D．bed
A．ready B．unable C．anxious D．eager
A．warm B．broken C．closed D．open
A．hosts B．visitors C．readers D．reporters
A．Began B．stopped C．forgot D．decided
A．Letters B．emails C．books D．diaries
A．find B．read C．collect D．keep
A．developed B．disappeared C．changed D．arrived
A．tried B．refused C．regretted D．hoped
A．exciting B．acceptable C．strange D．heartbreaking
A．less B．everything C．more D．nothing
A．understand B．explain C．believe D．question
A．fear B．face C．know D．cause
A．felt B．guessed C．saw D．doubled
A．as B．once C．though D．if
A．teacher B．child C．man D．writer
My father was in the navy, which meant that my mother was married to both my father and the sea. As was often the __1__, we had to pack our belongings into boxes and __ 2__ those we had grown to love. We would arrive at our new home and find ourselves once again __3__ at the pier（码头）waving good-bye to my father as his ship pulled him away from us. My mother would turn my brother and me around before the ship was out of __4__, wipe our tears, and take us back home to start the process of __5__ in the new environment again.
Throughout the years of changing __6__, schools and friends, there remained one constant in my childhood — my mother. For both my __7_ and me, she was the cook, maid and teacher. She played these roles while __8__ some type of part-time job. Leaving a promising career is just one of the __9__ which my mother made for my family as we moved around the world with our father every three years or so. __10__ she had to deal with only a small budget, my mother __11__ managed to make each house the very home that is safe and __12__.
This probably sounds like a depressing way to live, __13__ with two small children: “single” parenthood, short-term friendships, and the inability to __14__ a career or establish a home. But it was not for my mother. She turned this __15__ into adventure for us all! Each relocation was a chance to __16__ another part of the world. My mother __17__ each new culture, climate and neighborhood. Each new house was a __18__ to rearrange furniture, make curtains and hang pictures. Every part-time job was an opportunity to learn something new and work with interesting people.
No matter how difficult the life was, she was always having a __19__ attitude. She always had strength in the face of struggle and change. My mother was so __20__all those years of my childhood — she was my island in a sea of change. She is my hero.
A．situation B．case C．matter D．rule
A．leave behind B．leave out C．leave off D．leave for
A．arriving B．staring C．standing D．looking
A．range B．shape C．sight D．control
A．adapting B．suiting C．matching D．fitting
A．names B．jobs C．addresses D．directions
A．father B．classmates C．brother D．relatives
A．performing B．seeking C．waiting D．applying
A．programs B．sacrifices C．contributions D．cooperations
A．Once B．While C．When D．Unless
A．somewhere B．somewhat C．sometime D．somehow
A．romantic B．comfortable C．mysterious D．wealthy
A．generally B．actually C．especially D．unfairly
A．desert B．pursue C．affect D．limit
A．lifestyle B．value C．journey D．opportunity
A．acquire B．explore C．occupy D．realize
A．met B．greeted C．agreed D．suspected
A．load B．sadness C．result D．challenge
A．changeable B．cautious C．positive D．negative
A．experienced B．brave C．ordinary D．annoyed
My sister and I grew up in a little village in England. Our father was a struggling 1, but I always knew he was 2 . He never criticized us, but used 3 to bring out our best. He’d say,” If you pout water on flowers, they flourish. If you don’t give them water, they die.” I 4 as a child I said something 5 about somebody, and my father said, “ 6 time you say something unpleasant about somebody else, it’s a reflection of you.” He explained that if I looked for the best 7 people, I would get the best 8 . From then on I’ve always tried to 9 the principle in my life and later in running my company.
Dad’s also always been very 10 . At 15, I started a magazine. It was 11 a great deal of my time, and the headmaster of my school gave me a 12: stay in school or leave to work on my magazine.
I decided to leave, and Dad tried to sway me from my decision, 13 any good father would. When he realized I Had made up my mind, he said, “Richard, when I was 23, my dad 14 me to go into law. And I’ve 15 regretted it. I wanted to be a biologist, 16 I didn’t pursue my 17 . You know what you want. Go fulfill(实现) it.”
As 18 turned out, my little publication went on to become Student, a national 19 for young people in the U.K. My wife and I have two children, and I’ d like to think we are bringing them up in the same way Dad 20 me.
A．biologist B．manager C．lawyer D．gardener
A．strict B．honest C．special D．learned
A．praise B．courage C．power D．warmth
A．think B．imagine C．remember D．guess
A．unnecessary B．unkind C．unimportant D．unusual
A．Another B．Some C．Any D．Other
A．on B．in C．at D．about
A．in case B．by turns C．by chance D．in return
A．revise B．set C．review D．follow
A．understanding B．experienced C．serious D．demanding
A．taking up B．making up C．picking up D．keeping up
A．suggestion B．decision C．notice D．choice
A．and B．as C．even if D．as if
A．helped B．allowed C．persuaded D．suggested
A．always B．never C．seldom D．almost
A．rather B．but C．for D．therefore
A．promise B．task C．belief D．dream
A．this B．he C．it D．that
A．newspaper B．magazine C．program D．project
A．controlled B．comforted C．reminded D．raised
The other day, I happened to meet someone I hadn’t seen for many years. I couldn’t believe the change in him. In fact, he didn’t even seem like the 36 person.
When I first knew Bill , back in 37 , he was one of the most carefree（无忧无虑）people I had ever 38 . He was always ready to have a party. He thought 39 of going out for beer at three o’clock in the morning or driving 15 miles to see an old 40 he really liked. Bill and I were in the same class in college, and 41 was never dull when he was 42 . With him there was one wild 43 after another. Sometimes I wonder how we 44 to study for our exams.
Last week I was in Houston on business and I ran into Bill in the bar at the hotel. 45 , I wasn’t even sure it was 46 . Was this short-haired businessman really the same person? I wasn’t really sure until I came near him but it indeed was Bill. Now he works for a bank. He 47 most of the evening about his job, his new car and his house. How he had changed! Back when we were in college, the 48 thing Bill cared about were possessions(财富). Now they seemed to be his main 49 . Although I have changed quite a bit myself, somehow I never 50 Bill changing so much. My image of him 51 the one I had formed 52 the time when we were college students together.
I suppose it’s 53 to expect people to remain the same, especially 54 I have changed so much myself. But I must say that I enjoyed the old Bill much more than the new Bill. Maybe he 55 the same way about me.
A．proper B．usual C．same D．right
A．childhood B．the army C．his thirties D．college
A．considered B．met C．supposed D．expected
A．most B．much C．nothing D．none
A．movie B．hospital C．man D．country
A．learning B．life C．work D．fun
A．in B．out C．around D．away
A．joke B．mistake C．chance D．adventure
A．managed B．continued C．decided D．hoped
A．First of all B．At first C．Now and then D．All the time
A．that B．he C．there D．us
A．thought B．spent C．argued D．talked
A．first B．next C．last D．only
A．interest B．event C．subject D．problem
A．forgot B．minded C．imagined D．liked
A．remained B．reminded C．suggested D．became
A．since B．from C．at D．till
A．unnecessary B．foolish C．common D．unusually
A．because B．that C．how D．when
A．discovered B．acted C．looked D．felt
When high school started, Becky and I became best friends. We 36 many interests and quickly became inseparable. When high school ended, we both cried 37 we would attend different colleges.
Our first term of university life was 38 . Our telephone bill and e-mails were incredibly long. In the second term I found some new friends with whom I felt very 39 and I could 40 out my feelings. I was eager to share my new friends with Becky.
When Becky finally visited me at my school, we were excited. __41__, something unexpected happened when I 42 her to my new friends. Her eyes grew dark and I could see the 43 within them. My new friends tried to share their friendship, but Becky seemed 44 to accept it. I didn’t understand 45 the people I love most couldn’t love each other.
Becky 46 . I knew she was not happy. I thought long about __47__ happened. At last, I found the answer. Becky saw me with my new friends and 48 that we no longer shared the same experiences. She saw all the fun I was having 49 her and wished she could a part of it.
I wrote a letter to Becky 50 she’s always my best friend. I told her everyone had many friends, who were indeed life’s greatest 51 . Becky wrote me back soon. She was in 52 and felt sorry about what she had done.
I think Becky and I both learn an important lesson from it. 53 can influence our friendship and change the experiences we’ve shared. We are now walking on two different paths of 54 . While new friends are special and exciting, old friends are always there, 55 to share their heart and soul, no matter how far apart.
A．shared B．developed C．protected D．showed
A．while B．unless C．although D．because
A．explicit B．striking C．tough D．normal
A．anxious B．strange C．familiar D．comfortable
A．figure B．pour C．pick D．hold
A．Therefore B．Thus C．Besides D．However
A．admitted B．mentioned C．introduced D．referred
A．concern B．hurt C．curiosity D．doubt
A．unwilling B．cautious C．ashamed D．thrilled
A．how B．whether C．that D．why
A．started B．left C．remained D．stared
A．that B．how C．what D．Which
A．wondered B．regretted C．promised D．proved
A．for B．from C．across D．without
A．recognized B．predicting C．explaining D．assuming
A．achievement B．spirit C．gift D．sign
A．sympathy B．surprise C．agreement D．disappointment
A．Nothing B．Anything C．Something D．Everything
A．happiness B．life C．research D．success
A．choosing B．demanding C．planning D．waiting
A great many people are disappointed because of unrealistic expectations.
Walking up to a department store’s cloth counter, a(n) 1 young woman said, “I want to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost?”
“Only one 2 per yard,” replied the smirking (自鸣得意的) male clerk.
Not to be taken back by the funny words, the woman said,” That’s fine! I’ll take ten yards.”
With 3 written all over his face, the clerk 4 measured out and wrapped the cloth, then held it out teasingly, 5 forward to receive his “ 6 ”.
The woman got the package quickly from the clerk and pointed to a little old man standing beside her. “Grandpa will pay the bill instead of me,” she 7 .
He was no doubt disappointed. But in the course of living, many people are 8 when others do not 9 their expectations. In order to be happy, some expectations must be dropped. These three particular 10 and unhealthy expectations are some of the main causes:
1. Expect too much 11 .When others say, “Thank you,” or in any way to show their gratitude, be happy. It is a gift!
2. Expect others to make you happy. They simply cannot do that. Make yourself happy and 12 your joy with others.
3. Expect not to be 13 . At times, people will simply not come through for you in the way you need. 14 them and move on.
Get rid of these three unrealistic expectations and you can begin to expect more 15 right away!
A．tricky B．attractive C．ugly D．generous
A．kiss B．pay C．dollar D．cent
A．happiness B．enjoyment C．expectation D．courage
A．hurriedly B．slowly C．patiently D．curiously
A．setting B．sitting C．leaning D．taking
A．reward B．payment C．bonus D．money
A．smiled B．begged C．waved D．thought
A．encouraged B．disappointed C．annoyed D．surprised
A．live up to B．go against C．go without D．hope for
A．reasonable B．proper C．unimportant D．unrealistic
A．profit B．kiss C．appreciation D．disappointment
A．spare B．share C．make D．control
A．put down B．let down C．taken down D．thrown down
A．Forgive B．Punish C．Blame D．Praise
A．happiness B．encouragement C．excitement D．pride
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