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 the 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.
1.A. equally B. separately C. violently D. naturally
2.A. off B. over C. apart D. out
3.A. searched B. left C. toured D. crossed
4.A. cheapest B. largest C. fairest D. fullest
5.A. at B. through C. over D. round
6.A. occupied B. abandoned C. emptied D. robbed
7.A. turned B. approached C. cut D. cleared
8.A. but B. although C. otherwise D. for
9.A. benefit B. lesson C. nature D. art
10.A. looking B. staying C. swinging D. turning
11.A. wild B. real C. different D. remote
12.A. neighborliness B. happiness C. friendliness D. kindness
13.A. unique B. expensive C. rare D. necessary
14.A. Down B. Up C. Deep D. Along
15.A. cooperation B. relationships C. satisfaction D. appointments
16.A. reality B. society C. town D. life
17.A. creating B. losing C. quitting D. offering
18.A. put in B. turn in C. take in D. get in
19.A. yards B. shelters C. camps D. cottages
20.A. when B. what C. whether D. how
The president of the World Bank says he has a passion for China , , he remembers starting as early as his childhood.
A. where B. which C. what D. when
Generally speaking, students’ inner motivation with high expectations from others essential to their development.
A. is B. are C. was D. were
In the global economy, a new drug for cancer, it is discovered, will create many economic possibilities around the world.
A. whatever B. whoever C. wherever D. whichever
Lionel Messi ， the record for the most goals in a calendar year, is considered the most talented football player in Europe.
A. set B. setting C. to set D. having set
—Thank you for the flowers.
— . I thought they might cheer you up.
A. That’s right B. All right C. It’s all right D. I’ m all right
