I used to believe in the American Dream, which meant a job, a mortgage (按揭), credit cards, success. I wanted it and worked toward it like everyone else, all of us chasing the same thing. One year, through a series of unhappy events, it all fell . I found myself homeless and alone. I had my truck and $56. I the countryside for some place I could rent for the possible amount. I came upon a shabby house four miles up a winding mountain road t he Potomac River in West Virginia. It was , full of broken glass and rubbish. I found the owner ,rented it, and a corner to camp in. The locals knew nothing about me, slowly, they started teaching me the of being a neighbor. They dropped off blankets, candles, and tools, and began to chat. They started to teach me a belief in a American Dream—not the one of individual achievement but of . What I had believed in, all those things I thought were for a civilized life, were nonexistent in this place. on the mountain, my most valuable possessions were my with my neighbors. Four years later, I moved back into . I saw many people were having a really hard time, their jobs and homes. I managed to rent a big enough house to a handful of people .There are four of us now in the house, but over time I’ve had nine people come in and move on to other places. We’d all be in if we hadn’t banded together.（团结起来） The American Dream I believe in now is a shared one. It’s not so much about what I can get for myself; it’s about we can all get by together. 小题1: A．equally B．separately C．violently D．naturally 小题2: A．off B． over C．apart D．out 小题3: A．searched B．left C．toured D．crossed 小题4: A．cheapest B．largest C．fairest D．fullest 小题5: A．at B．through C．over D．round 小题6: A．occupied B．abandoned C．emptied D．robbed 小题7: A．turned B．approached C．cut D．cleared 小题8: A．but B．although C．otherwise D．for 小题9: A．benefit B．lesson C．nature D．art 小题10: A．looking B．staying C．swinging D．turning 小题11: A．wild B．real C．different D．remote 小题12: A．neighborliness B．happiness C．friendliness D．kindness 小题13: A．unique B．expensive C．rare D．necessary 小题14: A．Down B．Up C．Deep D．Along 小题15: A．cooperation B．relationships C．satisfaction D．appointments 小题16: A．reality B．society C．town D．life 小题17: A．creating B．losing C．quitting D．offering 小题18: A．put in B．turn in C．take in D．get in 小题19: A．yards B．shelters C．camps D．cottages 小题20: A．when B．what C．whether D．how