Passage 9

重慶一中2017屆高三（下）第一次月考

Neighbors used to be somebody we wave and greet when we meet them. Now, things have changed.

As the young lady　 1 　the door for me, I thanked her and observed that she must be a neighbor. We both　 2 　living on the same floor. While we were in the　 3 　, I asked her, “So, how do you like your apartment?”　 4 　which she replied“I like it but I have not talked to any one of my　 5 　yet.” I somewhat answered doubtfully, “Good luck with that!”　 6 　as it arrived and I walked to my door, I could not help but think.

Sure, nowadays talking with neighbors is like pulling people’s teeth,　 7 　and frightening. But why should we　 8 　what seems difficult for impossible? In a different apartment building a few blocks away the lift　 9 　a clever poster with a black stripe across the eyes of a person, warning, “Looking someone in the eyes might lead to a　 10 　!”

I suspect in our busy city people are　 11 　of starting a conversation with strangers because it could potentially demand time—the most　 12 　thing in this abundant world. But what if that　 13 　conversation could introduce us to a gem（珍寶）we were　 14 　? What if starting a friendly conversation with a stranger could　 15 　a friendship?

So, when I opened the door, I　 16 　designed a one-page poster inviting my neighbors to a house concert. Then I searched for the best　 17 　of color copies in Ballston,　 18 　that not surprisingly the good people in The Printed Page offer the lowest for the fastest service, and within 30 minutes I sent 80 copies of the　 19 　for each of the apartments in the building.

Whether any of my neighbors　 20 　or not, I trust that an open door and a friendly smile can help build a community. So, wish me good luck and talk to your neighbors!

1. A. broke　B. repaired　C. locked　D. held

2. A. worked out　B. gave up　C. ended up　D. made out

3. A. club　B. room　C. sun　D. lift

4. A. from　B. for　C. to　D. at

5. A. friends　B. relatives　C. neighbors　D. colleagues

6. A And　B. So　C. Or　D. But

7. A. sorrowful　B. painful　C. greedy　D. delightful

8. A. charge　B. mix　C. mistake　D. pay

9. A. forms　B. prints　C. sticks　D. displays

10. A. conversation　B. career　C. story　D. solution

11. A. capable　B. tired　C. conscious　D. afraid

12. A. precious　B. helpful　C. interesting　D. embarrassing

13. A. recorded　B. avoided　C. civilized　D. replaced

14. A. putting on　B. looking into　C. cleaning off　D. searching for

15. A. betray　B. renew　C. establish　D. destroy

16. A. immediately　B. willingly　C. sensitively　D. nervously

17. A. invention　B. price　C. technology　D. design

18. A. hoping　B. seeking　C. finding　D. covering

19. A. book　B. invitation　C. card　D. instruction

20. A. hides　B. accounts　C. comments　D. shows