I break off a piece of candy and take pleasure in its sweet outside and the bitter, dark chocolate inside, thinking of my own life. Being raised by a single parent was a bitter-sweet , which gave me motivation and ambition. There were several years that have left an extremely bitter taste in my mouth .The first few months after my mother’s remarriage were sweet: baseball games, family trips to the mall, dinners and movies together. Then things . Baseball became too expensive, and trips to the mall were by days Emily and I spent lonely in our rooms under our stepfather’s . Moreover, screaming matches between him and our mother always dinner. We spent five years living in a family that had a war field. Emily and I almost grew used to this situation. Then one evening, after another argument had , we were left homeless . And later a friend of my mother let us stay with her. Instead of focusing on our economic problem, my mother pushed me to struggle for success. She wanted me to lead a life. She worked long hours every night to pay her bills. , she would find time to read and play with Emily and me. Mom taught me the of perseverance (坚持不懈) and education. And now, writing this essay with my favorite candy close at hand, I realize my family and I are at the best points of our lives. I haven’t let the trying times stop me from making , both academically and personally. I know that a bitter environment can provide good learning experiences, and that success, even more than candy, is the sweetest treat of all. 小题1: A．behavior B．adventure C．activity D．experience 小题2: A．continued B．changed C．ruined D．disappeared 小题3: A．concerned B．associated C．provided D．replaced 小题4: A．sympathy B．offers C．orders D．efforts 小题5: A．separated B．interrupted C．harmed D．prepared 小题6: A．turned into B．turned up C．turned down D．turned on 小题7: A．broke B．caused C．erupted D．delayed 小题8: A．mistakenly B．obviously C．selflessly D．unwillingly 小题9: A．important B．difficult C．dangerous D．comfortable 小题10: A．Instead B．Otherwise C．Meanwhile D．Therefore 小题11: A．value B．cost C．price D．theme 小题12: A．mistakes B．appointments C．arrangements D．achievements