I used to abandon myself to despair. Last year my mother 　1　 from a stroke (中风) and had an operation on her brain. I felt my whole world turn upside down and I had no 　2　 what I could do to help her to relieve her　3　. Tears welled up in my eyes whenever I was alone.

　　Last month I　4　 a precious watch, which was an 18-year-old birthday gift from my father. I could not fall asleep for a couple of nights because I felt　5　 about the loss.

　　There have been many　6　 like these in my life. I could never figure out how to deal with such tough things　7　 I read "If You Have a Lemon, Make a Lemonade" by American writer Dale Carnegie.

　　"When the wise man is handed a lemon, he says, 'What 　8　 can I get from this? How can I　9　 my situation? How can I turn this lemon into a lemonade? '" he wrote.

　　I suddenly 　10 　that life is full of ups and downs, so I need to stay 　11　 all the time. Now when I think of my past, I wish I could have handled things　12　. When my mother was fighting for　13　, I should have held her hands in mine, telling her things would get better instead of 　14　 and crying.

　　Several weeks ago, I took part in a campus singing competition. I didn't 　15　 a prize. If I had not　16　 this article, I would definitely have felt　17　 again. But instead, I smiled after the competition. I was happy that at least I had got some stage 　18　.

　　Life is not just a bed of roses. There are thorns (刺) as well, but these thorns help us become 　19　 and strong. When life 　20　 us a lemon, let's try to make a lemonade.

1. A. resulted　 B. escaped　 C. survived　 D. suffered

2. A. hope B. idea C. wonder D. doubt

3. A. fear B. anxiety C. pain D. pressure

4. A. lost B. sold C. fixed D. received

5. A. terrible B. shameful C. angry D. unbelievable

6. A. diseases B. incidents C. memories D. difficulties

7. A. when B. though C. until D. since

8. A. challenge B. lemonade C. decision D. lesson

9. A. improve B. accept C. control D. avoid

10. A. predicted B. thought C. discovered D. realized

11. A. healthy B. independent C. positive D. serious