第一节 完形填空(本大题有 10 小题，每小题 2 分，共 20 分)

通读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后在各小题所给的四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案。

I was a single (单身的) parent of four small children, working at a low­paid job. Money was always tight, but I 1 to make ends meet (收支平衡), and if not a lot, 2 we had enough. Not knowing we were poor, my kids just thought I was 3 . I've always been glad

about that.

It was Christmas time, and although there wasn't 4 for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with a family party. But the big 5 for the kids was the fun of Christmas 6 . They planned weeks ahead of time, asking 7______ what they wanted for Christmas. 8 , I had saved $120 for gifts to be shared by all five of us.

The big day 9 . I gave each kid a twenty­dollar bill and 10 them to look for 11 of about four dollars each. Then everyone went away excitedly. We had two hours to shop and 12 back at the "Santa's Workshop".

Driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits, 13 my youngest daughter, Ginger, who was unusually 14______ . She had only one small, flat bag with a few candies- fifty­cent candies! I was very doubtful but I didn't say anything 15 we got home. I called

her into my bedroom and closed the door. This is what she told me:

"I was looking 16 thinking of what to buy when I 17 to read the little cards on the "Giving Trees". One was for a little girl, four years old, and all she 18 for Christmas was a doll. So I took the card off the tree and 19 the doll for her. We have so much and she doesn't have anything."

I never felt so 20 as I did that day.

A. failed B. managed C. meant D. wished