My mother used to ask me what was the most important part of the body.Through the years I would   36  the correct answer.When I was younger, I thought   37   was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy." She said, "No.Many people are    38 .But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."
Several years passed before she asked me again.Since    39 my first attempt, I had often thought over the correct answer.So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it   40_  be our eyes." She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not   41 because there are many people who are blind."
  42  the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her response to my answer was, "No, but you are getting  43  every year, my child." Then last year, my Grandpa    44 .Everybody was crying.My Mommy looked at me when it was our   45  to say our final good-bye to Grandpa.She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was   46 when she asked me this now.I always thought this was a  47
between her and me.She saw the   48   on my face and told me, "This question is very important.It shows that you have really  49  your life." I saw her eyes well up with tears.She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your  50  ."
I asked, "Is it because it holds up your head?" She replied, "No, it is because a crying friend or­­  51 one can rest their head on it .Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes in life, my dear.I only   52  that you have enough love and friends that you will have a shoulder to cry on 53  you need it." Then and there I understood the most important body part is not a   54  one.It is sympathetic(同情的) to the pain of  55 .

Mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years I would guess at the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us, so I said, “My 1___________, mum.” She said, “No, many people are deaf. But think about it and I will ask you again.”

Since making my first attempt, I had often thought over the question. So the next time I told her, “Mum, it must be our eyes.” She said, “You are learning fast, but the answer isn’t correct because there are 2___________ people”

Over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No, but you are getting smarter, dear.” Last year, my Grandpa 3___________ away. Everybody was heartbroken, crying. When it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa, Mum asked me, “Do you know the most 4___________ body part yet, my dear?”

I was 5___________ when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the puzzled look on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows you have really lived your life.” I saw her eyes full of tears. She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your 6___________.” I asked, “Is it because they hold up your head?” She replied, “7___________, it is because on them a crying friend or a loved one can 8___________ their head. I hope you will have a shoulder to cry 9___________ when you need it.”

Then and there I understood the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is being sympathetic to the pain of 10___________.

B

My father brought home a sailboat when I was ten, and almost each Sunday in summers we would go sailing. Dad was quite skilled in sailing, but not good at 11___________. As for me, I learned both before twelve because of living close to Lake Ontario.

The last time Dad and I set sail together was really unforgettable. It was a perfect weekend after I graduated from university. I came home and invited Dad to go sailing. Out we set soon on the calm lake. Dad hadn’t 12___________for years, but everything 13___________ well with the tiller（舵柄）in his hands.

When we were in the middle of the lake, a 14___________ wind came all of a sudden. The boat was hit violently. Dad was always at his best in any danger, 15___________ at this moment he froze.

“John! 16___________!” he shouted in a trembling voice, with the tiller still in his hands.

In my memory he could fix any 17___________. He was the one I always 18___________ to for strength and security. Before I could respond, a wave of water got into the boat. I rushed to the tiller but it was too late. Another huge wall of water turned 19___________the boat in a minute. We were thrown into the water, and Dad was struggling aimlessly. At that moment, I felt fiercely protective of him.

I swam to Dad quickly and assisted him in climbing onto the hull（船殼）of the boat. Upon sitting on the hull, Dad was a little awkward about his flash of. 20___________ “It’s all right, Dad. We are safe now,” I comforted him.

That was the first time Dad had counted on me in a moment of emergency. More importantly, I found it was my turn to start looking out for my father.

My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would   36   the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought   37  was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mummy." She said. "No, Many people are   38 . But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."
Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first  39 , I had often thought over the question. So this time I told her, "Mummy, it must be our eyes." She looked at me and said, "You are   40  fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."  41  the years, mother asked me a couple more  42  and always her response to my answers was, "No, but you are getting  43  every year, my child." Then last year, my Grandpa  44 . Everybody was heart broken. Everybody was crying. My mum looked at me when it was our   45  to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was  46  when she was asking me this now. I always thought this was a  47  between her and me. She saw the   48  on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really  49  your life." I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your   50  ." I asked, "Is it because they hold up your head?" she replied, "No, it is   51  on them a crying friend or loved one can rest their head. I only hope that you have enough friends and   52   that you will have a shoulder to cry   53  when you need it." Then and there I understood the most important body part is not a   54  one. It is sympathetic（同情的）to the pain of    55__.

【小題15】

A．shoulders B．feet C．hands D．hair

Interviewing someone for a job is not as easy as it looks. First, as the interviewer, you’re tasked with finding the person who will not only do the job well but also fit in well with the other employees.

You have to make an evaluation of abstract qualities that can’t be found on a résumé. Because you have to repeat the process for every potential employee, you end up asking question after question, applicant after applicant.

Still, interviewers need to be told something: “What is your biggest weakness?” is not a good question. It just isn’t.

Now, job seekers have to understand that interviewers want to find some way to know what makes an applicant different from others. Asking questions that are seemingly impossible to answer is one way to see who can think creatively. Then what may be a proper way to respond to such a question?

Honesty, with a twist(新手法)

“‘What are your three strengths and three weaknesses?’ is a classic, but not too many people know how to answer this,” says Kenneth C. Wisnefski, founder and CEO of WebiMax, an online marketing company.

“As an interviewer, we want to hear strengths that describe initiative(主動(dòng)性), motivation and dedication. The best way to respond is to include these qualities into specific ‘personal statements.’

“Similarly, weaknesses should be positioned as a strength that can benefit the employer.”

“I like to hear applicants state an exaggerated strength, and put an interesting twist on it. An example of this is, ‘My initiative is so strong, that sometimes I take on too many projects at a time.’”

This answer leads with a strength that employers want —initiative —and still acknowledges that you’re not perfect.

Although you might consider this acknowledgement too honest, it works because it proves you’re being honest.

Honesty, with progress

When you consider what your weaknesses are, think about how you have attempted to overcome them. No one is perfect, so pretending that you are a perfectionist will come across as insincere.

Debra Davenport, author of “Career Shuffle,” believes citing(引用) examples are the best approach.

“My preferred response for this question is to tell the truth without damaging the applicant’s image.” Davenport explains.

“A better response might be, ‘I’ve had some challenges with work-life balance in the past and I realize that a life out of balance isn’t good for me, my family or my employer. I’ve taken the time to learn better time and project management, and I’m also committed to my overall wellness.’”

The answer adds some dimension to the question, and proves you’ve thought beyond the answer. You’ve actually changed your behavior to address the situation, even if you haven’t completely overcome the weakness.

Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes

However you decide to answer, Debra Yergen, author of “Creating Job Security Resource Guide,” recommends job seekers imagine themselves sitting on the other side of the desk.

“If you were doing the hiring, what would you be looking for? What would be your motivation for asking certain questions? Who would you be trying to weed out? If you can empathize (共鳴) with the interviewer, you can better understand what they want and need, and then frame your qualifications to meet their needs for the position you seek.”

Once you consider what the goal of the question is and figure out what your honest answer is, you’ll be able to give the best possible answer to a tricky question.

My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would __36__ what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought __37__ was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy."  She said, "No. Many people are __38__. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."

       Several years passed __39__ she asked me again. Since making my first __40__, I had often thought of the correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes." She looked at me and told me, "You are __41__ fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."

      __42__ the years, Mother asked me a couple more __43__ and always her answer was, "No, but you are getting __44__ every year, my child." Then last year, my Grandpa died. Everybody was heart broken. Everybody was crying. My Mom looked at me when it was our __45__ to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"

       I was __46__ when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a __47__ between her and me. She saw the __48__ on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really __49__ your life." I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your __50__."  I asked, "Is it because it holds up your head?" She replied, "No, it is __51__ on them a crying friend or loved one can rest their head. I only hope that you have enough __52__ and friends that you will have a shoulder to cry __53__ when you need it." Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a __54__ one. It is sympathetic to the pain of __55__.

A. notice          B. believe in   C. doubt      D. guess at

A. love         B. health       C. sound      D. sight

A. blind           B. deaf        C. invisible     D. thoughtful

A. while          B. once       C. after       D. before

A. discovery     B. decision     C. attempt      D. suggestion

A. learning       B. thinking     C. growing     D. changing

A. Before         B. Till         C. Beyond      D. Over

A. ways           B. things     C. questions    D. times

A. stronger       B. taller       C. smarter      D. nicer

A. duty          B. turn        C. pity        D. chance

A. shocked     B. satisfied     C. interested   D. excited

A. game         B. test         C. match       D. secret

A. worry        B. puzzlement C. regret       D. pain

A. enjoyed     B. found      C. disliked      D. lived

A. shoulders   B. feet         C. hands        D. hair

A. how          B. because      C. why        D. whether

A. respect       B. favor      C. love        D. fun

A. by          B. on          C. above      D. for

A. valuable     B. useful     C. selfish      D. precious

A. others        B. the deaf      C. Grandpa     D. the blind