The carpenter I 32 to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a(n) 33 first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his truck 34 to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony 35 .

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused 36 at a small tree, 37 tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent a(n) 38 transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, and he 39 his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

The next day my 40 drove me to ask him about what I had seen. "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't 41 having troubles on the job, but the troubles don't 42 to the house with my family. So I just 43 them up on the tree. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

" 44 thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as 45 as I remember the night before."

Putting 46 around our problems is a really good idea --- it prevents our difficulties from spilling over onto loved people, who can't do anything about our problems. Why 47 them if they can't help us?

So, plant yourself a trouble tree outside and use it 48 you come home. Be grateful that you have loved ones to go home to 49 your loved one is simply your beloved dog. And when you picked up your troubles on the way each morning, be 50 that they're not as heavy as they were the night before.

31. A. unhappiness B. mistakes C. helplessness D. carelessness

32. A. informed B. hired C. trusted D. recommended

33. A. enjoyable B. smooth C. rough D. dull

34. A. intended B. desired C. hesitated D. refused

35. A. amazement B. astonishment C. embarrassment D. silence

36. A. regularly B. unusually C. briefly D. directly

37. A. cutting B. damaging C. watching D. touching

38. A. exciting B. amazing C. confusing D. annoying

39. A. hugged B. greeted C. thanked D. waved

40. A. preference B. sufferings C. curiosity D. doubt

41. A. avoid B. consider C. continue D. stand

42. A. lack B. belong C. exist D. stay

43. A. set B. throw C. give D. hang

44. A. Sad B. Terrible C. Funny D. Ridiculous

45. A. many B. few C. good D. light

46. A. defence B. boundaries C. sympathy D. secret

47. A. burden B. equip C. expose D. entertain

48. A. however B. whenever C. wherever D. whatever