How can I forget the day? On 14 July 1974 I travelled in an overcrowded bus to an unheard town called Shendurni. The next day, I was to join the faculty of a junior college there.___16___ about my new job, but anxious and fearful too, I was out of my ___17___ zone. Around 7 p.m. it started pouring with rain. Wondering about my new career in an unknown land, I had ___18___ in my seat. I woke up with a(n)___19___ to the sound of the conductor announcing the name of my bus stop. I looked out. It was pitch-dark. Ah, a power cut.___20___ unusual during heavy rains. “Conductor Sahab, can I get a ___21___ for myself here? I’m new to the place,” I heard myself ask ___22___. “Arre bhai, get off my bus and let us go. We ___23___ to reach the next station on time. Where will you get a place to stay in this goddamned town?” he shouted back. Amid mounting panic, I felt a ___24___ tap on my shoulder. As I looked back, a warm smile ___25___ me. “I’m Sawant, from the next town. The bus ____26____ there for the night and returns tomorrow morning. Why don’t you buy a ticket for the next stop? You can spend the night at my place, and join work tomorrow.” I thanked him from my heart and accepted his ____27____. By the time the bus reached the final stop, it was 8:30 p.m. The kind soul led me to his house. He and his wife took great ____28____ to make my stay comfortable. I was ___29___ with warm water for a bath, followed by a hot ____30____ and a comfortable bed. All this took place in semi-darkness. No lights yet. I was up early the next morning and my benefactor (恩人) came to ____31____ me off. I could not see his face clearly, as it was ___32___ dark. I made it ____33____ the college in time and taught there for almost 11 years. All this while I ___34___ him, even asking my new friends and students to help find the kind soul. But Mr Sawant remained _____35_____. Perhaps I had got his name wrong. My only regret: I could not thank him again.
16. A. Excited B. Interested C. Worried D. Annoyed
17. A. home B. school C. comfort D. dilemma
18. A. knocked off B. dropped off C. turned off D. nodded off
19. A. start B. jump C. ear D. eye
20. A. Something B. Anything C. Everything D. Nothing
21. A. seat B. room C. ticket D. map
22. A. sadly B. quickly C. nervously D. surprisingly
23. A. come B. get C. need D. ask
24. A. sudden B. soft C. real D. warm
25. A. waved B. welcomed C. greeted D. shook
26. A. stops B. arrives C. leaves D. drives
27. A. family B. solution C. invitation D. request
28. A. pleasure B. energy C. minds D. pains
29. A. provided B. armed C. impressed D. blessed
30. A. chat B. discussion C. meal D. tea
31. A. allow B. keep C. show D. see
32. A. yet B. still C. already D. also
33. A. to B. in C. from D. for
34. A. sent for B. searched for C. cared for D. waited for
35. A. silent B. strange C. unbelievable D. untraceable
