I remember the way the light touched her hair. She turned her head, and our eyes met, a momentary awareness in that raucous fifth grade classroom. I felt as though I’ d been struck a blow under the heart Thus began my first love affair.

Her name was Rachel, and I mooned my way through the grade and high school, stricken at the mere sight of her, tongue-tied in her presence. Does anyone, anymore, linger in the shadows of evening, drawn by the pale light of a window--her window--like some hapless summer insect?

That delirious swooning, asexual but urgent and obsessive, that made me awkward and my voice crack, is like some impossible dream now.

I would catch sight of her, walking down an aisle of trees to or from school, and I’ d become paralyzed. She always seemed so poised, so self-possessed. At home, I’ d relive each encounter,

writhing at the thought of my inadequacies. We eventually got acquainted and socialized as we entered our adolescence, she knew I had a case on her, and I sensed her affectionate tolerance for me. "Going sready" implied a maturity we still lacked. Her Orthodox Jewish upbringing and my

own Catholic scruples imposed an inhibited grace that made even kissing a distant prospect, however fervently desired. I managed to hold her once at a dance-chaperoned, of course. Our embrace made her giggle, a sound so trusting that I hated myself for what I’ d been thinking. At any rate,my love for Rachel remained unrequited. We graduated from high school, she went on to college,and I joined the Army.

When World War II engulfed us, I was sent overseas. For a time we corresponded, and her letters were the highlight of those grinding endless years. Once she sent me a snapshot of herself in a bathing suit, which drove me to the wildest of fantasies. I mentioned the possibility of marriage in my next letter, and almost immediately her replies became less frequent, less personal. Her Dear

John latter finally caught UD with me while I was awaiting discharge. She gently explained the impossibility of a marriage between us. Looking back on it, I must have recovered rather quickly, although for the first few months I believed I didn’ t want to five. Like Rachel, I found someone else, whom I learned to love with a deep and permanent commitment that has lasted to this day.

46. According to the passage, how old was the author when his first love affair began?

A. Before he entered his teens.

B.In his early teens.

C. In his middle teens.

D. When he was just out of his teens.

47. How did the author behave as a boy in love?

A. His first love motivated him toward hard study.

B.His first love evoked sentimental memories.

C. He was overpowered by wild excitement and passion.

D.. He fulfilled his expectations and desires.

48. According to the passage, what held them back from a loving kiss?

A. Her Jewish origin did not allow it.

B.His Catholic adherence forbade it.

C. They were not sure whether it was proper or ethical to kiss in line with their religious

decorum.

D. Kissing was found to be inelegant or even distasteful.

49. According to the passage, what was Rachel’ s response to the author’ s tender affection be

fore the war?

A. She recognized and accepted his love affectionately.

B.She thwarted his affection by flatly turning him down.

C. She fondly permitted him to adore her without losing her own heart to’ him.