There was a time when I thought my dad didn’t know a thing about being a good father. I couldn’t 31 him ever saying the words “I 32 you.” It seems to me his only purpose in life was to say “No” to anywhere I wanted to go and anything I wanted to do, including getting a 33 . Some parents bought their kids cars when they got their driver’s licenses. Not my dad—he said that I’d have to get a job and buy my own.
So that is what I did. I got a job at a very nice restaurant and 34 every penny I could and 35 I had enough to buy my car, I did! The day I brought that car home, my dad was the first one I wanted to 36 it off to. “Look, dad, a car of my own. If you ever want a ride, I’ll only 37 you five dollars.” I offered with a smile. “I see,” was all he said.
One day, there was something wrong with my father’s truck. So he needed a 38 to work. The sun wasn’t even up when we left the house, 39 it was already getting warm out. It was going to be a(n) 40 day. As I dropped my dad off, I 41 him, dressed in his work clothes, getting his 42 from the truck (车尾箱) of my car. Watching his sun weathered face, and even from a distance I could tell there were 43 lines than I ever remembered being there before. I realized how hard my dad works for the family. My father is a cement finisher (水泥修整工).
In that instant, it 44 to me that he actually got down on his hands and knees to sweat over hot concrete (混凝土) to make a living for his family. And he did this day in and day out, however hot it got. Never, not once, had I heard him 45 about it. To him we were “worth” it. And never once did he “ 46 ” us for it.
When he closed the trunk, his tools set off to the side, he walked over to my window to 47 me five dollars. I rolled down the window and said “Good-bye, dad. Keep your five dollars. It’s my 48 . Don’t work too hard. I love you.”
His 49 met mine, then glanced away in the direction of his waiting tools, he 50 his throat and said, “Oh, and… me, too.”
31. A. like B. remember C. forget D. care
32. A. ignore B. admire C. love D. hate
33. A. car B. friend C. job D. present
34. A. spent B. earned C. kept D. saved
35. A. when B. if C. because D. though
36. A. kick B. take C. turn D. show
37. A. pay B. charge C. offer D. provide
38. A. ride B. leave C. trip D. hurry
39. A. as B. although C. but D. since
40. A. ordinary B. hot C. work D. special
41. A. helped B. followed C. left D. watched
42. A. tools B. clothes C. luggage D. bag
43. A. fewer B. more C. longer D. deeper
44. A. happened B. seemed C. occurred D. appeared
45. A. talk B. complain C. ask D. speak
46. A. forgive B. thank C. praise D. charge
47. A. hand B. pass C. lend D. take
48. A. help B. advice C. treat D. reply
49. A. hands B. smile C. voice D. eyes
50. A. cleaned B. wiped C. cleared D. felt
