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 36 chasing the same thing.
One year, through a series of unhappy events, it all fell 37 . I found myself homeless and alone. I had my truck and $ 56. I 38 the countryside for some place I could rent for the 39 possible amount. I came upon a shabby house four miles up a winding mountain road 40 the Potomac River in West Virginia. It was 41 , full of broken glass and rubbish. I found the owner, rented it, and 42 a corner to camp in.
The locals knew nothing about me, 43 slowly, they started teaching me the 44 of being a neighbor. They dropped off blankets, candles, and tools, and began 45 around to chat. They started to teach me a belief in a 46 American Dream—not the one of individual achievement but of 47 .
What I had believed in, all those things I thought were 48 for a civilized life, were nonexistent in this place. 49 on the mountain, my most valuable possessions were my 50 with my neighbors.
Four years later, I moved back into 51 . I saw many people were having a really hard time, 52 their jobs and homes. I managed to rent a big enough house to 53 a handful of people. There are four of us now in the house, but over time I’ve had nine people e in and move on to other places. We’d all be in 54 if we hadn’t banded together.
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 55 we can all get by together.
【小题1】A．separatelyB．equallyC．violentlyD．naturally【小题2】A．offB．apartC．overD．out【小题3】A．crossedB．leftC．touredD．searched【小题4】A．fullestB．largestC．fairestD．cheapest【小题5】A．atB．throughC．overD．round【小题6】A．occupiedB．abandonedC．emptiedD．robbed【小题7】A．turnedB．approachedC．clearedD．cut【小题8】A．butB．althoughC．otherwiseD．for【小题9】A．benefitB．lessonC．natureD．art【小题10】A．stickingB．lookingC．swingingD．turning【小题11】A．wildB．realC．differentD．remote【小题12】A．neighborliness B．happinessC．friendlinessD．kindness【小题13】A．uniqueB．expensiveC．rareD．necessary【小题14】A．UpB．DownC．DeepD．Along【小题15】A．cooperationB．relationshipsC．satisfactionD．appointments【小题16】A．realityB．societyC．townD．life【小题17】A．creatingB．losingC．quittingD．offering【小题18】A．put inB．turn inC．take inD．get in【小题19】A．yardsB．sheltersC．campsD．cottages【小题20】A．whenB．whatC．whetherD．howA
网友回答
(答案→)A
解析：
【小题1】本句意思是我们所有人都各自追求相同的东西。“separately” 分别地；分离地；个别地；“equally”平等地；“violently” 猛烈地，激烈地，极端地；“naturally” 自然地。
【小题2】本句意思是经过了一系列的不幸事件，一切（梦想和追求）都破灭了。“fall off” 减少；跌落；下降；离开；衰退；“fall apart” 崩溃；土崩瓦解；破碎；“fall over” 跌倒，摔倒；绊了一跤；“fall out” 发生；脱落；争吵；离队；结果是。
【小题3】本句意思是我在农村寻找最便宜的出租地方。“search some place for something”为寻找---而搜---的地方。
【小题4】从上一句作者提到自己无家可归和独自一人可知是在寻找最便宜的房子。
【小题5】此处是指在河的上方，所以用“over”。
【小题6】从描述的房子现状—到处都是碎玻璃和垃圾—和作者找到房主可知这房子是废弃不用的。“occupy”占据，占领；居住；使忙碌；“abandon” 遗弃；放弃；“empty” 使失去；使…成为空的；“rob” 抢劫；使…丧失；非法剥夺。
【小题7】本句意思是打扫了屋子的一角住了下来。“approach”接近；着手处理;“clear” 通过；清除；使干净；跳过。
【小题8】开始的时候当地人并不认识他，后来慢慢的变成了朋友，所以上下文是转折关系。
【小题9】此处指当地人教给我与做邻居的方法艺术。“benefit” 利益，好处；救济金;“lesson” 教训；课;“nature” 自然；性质；本性；种类;“art” 艺术；美术；艺术品。
【小题10】本句意思是他们聚在一起聊天。“stick” 坚持；伸出；粘住;“swing” 摇摆；转向；悬挂；大摇大摆地行走。
【小题11】本句意思是当地人教会作者相信一个与以前自己所追求的不同的“美国梦”，即：美国梦不是指个人所取得的成就，而是邻居们一起取得的成就。“remote” 遥远的；偏僻的；疏远的。
【小题12】本句意思是“美国梦”不是指个人所取得的成就，而是与邻居们友好和睦。“neighborliness” 睦邻友好；和睦；“friendliness” 友谊；亲切；亲密；“kindness” 仁慈；好意；友好的行为。
【小题13】本句意思是我曾经所相信的对文明是必要的那些东西（第一段中提到的工作、按揭、信用卡和成功等东西）在这里是不存在的。“unique” 独特的，稀罕的；唯一的，独一无二的；“expensive” 昂贵的；花钱的；“rare” 稀有的；半熟的；稀薄的；“necessary” 必要的；必需的；必然的。
【小题14】从第二段中“I came upon a shabby house four miles up a winding mountain road”一句可知是在山上。
【小题15】本句意思是我最宝贵的财产是邻里之间的关系。“cooperation”合作，协作；协力；“relationship” 关系；关联；“satisfaction” 满意，满足；赔偿；乐事；“appointment” 任命；约定；任命的职位。
【小题16】本句意思是四年以后作者回到了城市。
【小题17】从后面一句作者租了个大房子来帮助人可知这儿是指失去工作和家的人。
【小题18】此处指收容一些无家可归的人。“put in” 提出，提交；放入；种植；使就职；“turn in” 交上；归还；拐入；告发；上床睡觉；“take in” 吸收；领会；欺骗；接待;接受；理解；拘留；欺骗；让…进入；改短；“get in” 进入；到达；陷入；收获。
【小题19】本句意思是如果我们不团结在一起那么我们都得住在避难所里，即无家可归。“yard” 院子；码；庭院；“shelter” 庇护；避难所；遮盖物；“camp” 露营；“cottage” 小屋；村舍；（农舍式的）小别墅。
【小题20】本句意思是“美国梦” 更多不是意味着我自己能得到什么，而是意味着我们怎样团结起来共同度过。本题容易选择“what”理解成获得什么，但是这儿用的是“get by”意思是通过；过得去；过活；获得认可。