Long long ago, there was a small village. This village had a 36 tradition. At the beginning of every year, any boy who had reached the age of 18 was given land and money to build a home. The boy had to 37 his home before winter. If his home failed to endure the cold weather in winter, the villagers could not 38 him in any way. One 39 , Paul and Marc reached their 18. They 40 their land and money and decided to search nearby villages for ideas on building their homes. In each village, they found the nicest 41 and talked to the owners. Each owner gladly offered 42 . After Marc saw several homes, he 43 the best ideas and went back to his own land. Paul, 44 , continued collecting more ideas. Soon he had so many great ideas that he began to 45 some of them. But he always believed he could find even better ideas in the next village. Marc began building his home. He had several false starts, 46 his home gradually rose from his land. By fall, Marc had finished his home. It wasn't perfect, but it was strong and he could 47 it later. Paul enjoyed all the beautiful homes and 48 with home owners. The first snow came and Paul, realizing he was running out of time, 49 back to his land. He built the best home he could in the time he had, but it was 50 . The first winter storm destroyed his home and he froze to 51 . The villagers mourned for him. Marc 52 the winter. Each year, Marc searched for other good ideas he could use to make his own home look better. He became a leader in the village, 53 a family, and lived a happy, content life. We all build and improve our own mental homes. It’s 54 and fun for us to search for ideas from other mental home owners, but we only improve our own mental home if we actually 55 the best ideas. 小题1: A．hopeful B．strange C．literary D．cultural 小题2: A．find B．make C．buy D．complete 小题3: A．encourage B．help C．scold D．persuade 小题4: A．winter B．summer C．spring ` D．autumn 小题5: A．received B．exchanged C．recognized D．advised 小题6: A．girls B．jobs C．presents D．houses 小题7: A．rooms B．drinks C．advice D．attention 小题8: A．gathered B．expected C．created D．understood 小题9: A．similarly B．finally C．furthermore D．however 小题10: A．believe B．forget C．replace D．doubt 小题11: A．because B．although C．so D．but 小题12: A．repair B．rebuild C．improve D．sell 小题13: A．achievements B．conversations C．struggles D．arguments 小题14: A．rushed B．drove C．flew D．moved 小题15: A．funny B．weak C．small D．amazing 小题16: A．death B．blindness C．sadness D．illness 小题17: A．experienced B．loved C．spent D．survived 小题18: A．brought B．earned C．raised D．contacted 小题19: A．easy B．slow C．dangerous D．special 小题20: A．realize B．bring C．apply D．collect