I used to believe in the American Dream, which meant a job, a mortgage (按揭), credit cards, success. I wanted it and worked toward it like everyone else, all of us   36   chasing the same thing.
One year, through a series of unhappy events, it all fell   37  . I found myself homeless and alone. I had my truck and $ 56. I   38   the countryside for some place I could rent for the   39   possible amount. I came upon a shabby house four miles up a winding mountain road   40   the Potomac River in West Virginia. It was   41  , full of broken glass and rubbish. I found the owner, rented it, and   42  a corner to camp in.
The locals knew nothing about me,   43   slowly, they started teaching me the   44   of being a neighbor. They dropped off blankets, candles, and tools, and began   45   around to chat. They started to teach me a belief in a   46   American Dream—not the one of individual achievement but of   47  .
What I had believed in, all those things I thought were   48   for a civilized life, were nonexistent in this place.   49   on the mountain, my most valuable possessions were my   50   with my neighbors.
Four years later, I moved back into   51  . I saw many people were having a really hard time,   52   their jobs and homes. I managed to rent a big enough house to   53  a handful of people. There are four of us now in the house, but over time I’ve had nine people come in and move on to other places. We’d all be in   54   if we hadn’t banded together.
The American Dream I believe in now is a shared one. It’s not so much about what I can get for myself; it’s about   55   we can all get by together.

A．separately B．equally C．violently D．naturally

A．off B．apart C．over D．out

A．crossed B．left C．toured D．searched

A．fullest B．largest C．fairest D．cheapest

A．at B．through C．over D．round

A．occupied B．abandoned C．emptied D．robbed

A．turned B．approached C．cleared D．cut

A．but B．although C．otherwise D．for

A．benefit B．lesson C．nature D．art

A．sticking B．looking C．swinging D．turning

A．wild B．real C．different D．remote

A．neighborliness B．happiness C．friendliness D．kindness

A．unique B．expensive C．rare D．necessary

A．Up B．Down C．Deep D．Along

A．cooperation B．relationships C．satisfaction D．appointments

A．reality B．society C．town D．life

A．creating B．losing C．quitting D．offering

A．put in B．turn in C．take in D．get in

A．yards B．shelters C．camps D．cottages

A．when B．what C．whether D．how