It’s a sad and familiar voice that we often hear in big cities: “Can you spare some change?”

Usually, when faced with that particular         , I have feelings of guilt if I pass by         giving a coin or two.

I had that feeling        in Venice while on a tour of Italy’s famous sites in 2006. I had taken refuge from the         in a quiet café. Outside, there was an old woman kneeling on the hard, ancient paving stones,         .

Steady         of tourists were walking past her. A young backpacker stood away from the crowd,        drinking in the vistas（景观、景色）, but I noticed the young traveler was also         the old woman.

A tourist group walked along the street,         the woman and walked on.         group of tourists arrived and walked past the old lady. The backpacker watched         everybody else went on their way, focused on the         around them. Then, I was preparing to leave when I caught sight of the backpacker stepping forward and         some money in the woman’s cup. He did this somewhat        just before the arrival of another tourist group. As I         , the leader of the group stopped and put some money in the cup. Having been shown the way, other tourists followed suit and         some more coins to the cup.

His work done, the young man walked over to the old beggar-woman, patted her on the shoulder and said, “I hope that         a little.”

I don’t know if the woman understood his English or         what had just happened, but I did.

I placed some money in the woman’s cup and continued my travels,         after witnessing such a         act of kindness.

1.A. soundB. questionC. excuseD. command

2.A. beyondB. afterC. withoutD. before

3.A. many timesB. some times C. only onceD. once again

4.A. crowdsB. familiesC. streetsD. signs

5.A. singingB. cryingC. beggingD. trembling

6.A. streamsB. packsC. massesD. groups

7.A. simplyB. seeminglyC. similarlyD. specially

8.A. showingB. followingC. checkingD. observing

9.A. glanced atB. laughed atC. rushed atD. stared at

10.A. OneB. MoreC. AnotherD. Other

11.A. ifB. sinceC. becauseD. as

12.A. stonesB. sightsC. signsD. tourists

13.A. lendingB. borrowingC. placingD. taking

14.A. accidentallyB. successfullyC. purposefullyD. cheerfully

15.A. watchedB. shownC. understoodD. walked

16.A. changedB. chargedC. foundD. added

17.A. measuresB. helpsC. explainsD. matters

18.A. recognizedB. caughtC. realizedD. figured

19.A. pleasantB. annoyedC. disappointedD. light-hearted

20.A. beautifulB. smartC. pureD. happy

—Do you think Catherine likes Fred?

    —__________. They don’t seem to get on very well together.

A. It depends  B. I hope so

C. I imagine not    D. Sounds reasonable

—I had the computers repaired yesterday.

—How much did they _________ for that?

A. costB. spendC. takeD. charge

Everybody says Rebecca and John is a perfect match; no one has ever known __________ couple.

A. a betterB. the betterC. a bestD. the best

______ being an outstanding physician and scientist, he was an accomplished writer and a gifted artist.

A. As far asB. As well asC. As soon as D. As long as

I’m hoping that John will let us have the car tonight; __________, I’m afraid we won’t be able to go out.     

A. even ifB. if so   C. what if   D. if not

The famous actor keeps fit and athletic by __________ at the gym for an hour every morning.

A. making out   B. figuring outC. working outD. turning out

All the travelling fare, unless specifically stated _________, includes admission charges to the attractions, shows and exhibitions we visit.

A. otherwiseB. likewiseC. thereforeD. still

A horrible thought _________ him when he was waiting for Tom in the airport: what if the plane from Malaysia had been hijacked（劫持）?

A. attackedB. struckC. beatD. occurred

The information confirms me in the belief __________ he, as well as his coach, is to blame.

A. whetherB. why        C. which       D. that