route back.It was then that I walked over to the couple and said，"Would you like to follow me to the__28__？"

A look of__29__crossed the woman's face.

"I'm going right by there，"I said，which wasn't a__30__since I had just made up my mind to do__31__that.

I got in my car and began the journey back.I was trying to watch to be sure they were right__32__me.It took only fifteen minutes to get there as rush hour traffic was beginning to__33__.I felt better than I had all day and my headache was nearly gone.

Later，as I arrived home，my husband__34__，"So you aren't ever late any more."

I said，"Sometimes it's__35__to be late."

【语篇解读】一个寒冷的夜晚，作者偶然遇到一对需要帮助的老年夫妇，于时她不顾身体的疲惫与不适，自告奋勇为对方带路。

16．A.break B．fever C．cold D．headache

答案　D　[根据倒数第三段最后一句中的"my headache was nearly gone"可知作者当时有轻微的"头疼"。]

17．A.foreign B．common C．busy D．noisy

答案　C　[上一段中提到作者在晚上下班后非常疲惫，而且感觉头疼，再结合下文可推知办公室的工作十分"忙碌"。]

18．A.earlier B．later C．easier D．simpler

答案　B　[由下文的"going to be late"以及"pronounce me late"可知出乎意料的事情的发生使下班时间比平时晚。]

19．A.getting B．cooking C．calling D．working

答案　A　[根据下文中的"make it home"可知作者可能"到"家的时间会晚一

些。]

20．A.tough B．punctual C．generous D．careful

答案　B　[根据本句后半部分中的内容可知作者的丈夫非常"守时"，否则就不会责怪作者回家晚了。punctual"守时的，准时的"，符合语境。]

21．A.as B．since C．while D．if

答案　D　["如果"作者抓紧时间，也许还能够按时回到家。]

22．A.pay B．change C．wait D．search