I like to have friends who are difficult________me.

   A. to   B. as   C. from   D. than

     Thank you, Mr. Morley, for your kind introduction. It was very nice of you to speak of me like that. While I was listening, I had trouble believing that I was the man you were talking about.

     My thanks go out to all of you for being here at this dinner. I look around and say to myself, "These people are my friends." And you know how good it is to be among friends.

     Seven years ago, I became the tennis coach (教练) at this school. I can remember arriving here as if it were yesterday. When ! started coaching, we only had a small team then, just three boys and two girls, and only one tennis court. So my first job was to increase the team. At the end of the first year, we had ten boys and six girls. And it seems like the team keeps getting stronger every year.

     I've been lucky to have some really good players to coach. Coaches love good players. Some great players from our school over the past years include Herbert Bradbury, Christopher Stanton and Emma Austen, all champions (冠军) during the years they played.

     Among the players on our team now is Arthur Burney, perhaps the best of them all. I'm sure you all join with me in wishing him good luck as he leaves for Capetown next week. He's our first student to enter the Capetown Junior International Tennis Tournament, where he will play against some of the best young tennis players in the world. Good luck, Ace!

     The time has come for me, however, to make a change. Recent health problems have made it difficult for me to continue coaching.

     I must say, I'm looking forward to my retirement (退休) with mixed feelings. I'm certainly ready for a long rest, but I'm a bit worried about what I'll do with all my spare time. You might find me coming down to watch the games from time to time. If you can still remember me, you might say hello.

     Thank you everyone. I'll miss you all.

38. What did the man say in the speech?

     A. He introduced a famous person.    B. He started a meeting.

     C. He would not work any more.      D. He thanked the school for an award.

39. Who were Bradbury, Stanton, and Austen?

     A. Ace's teachers                   B o other coaches at the school

     C. players on the team now          D. students from the past

40. What happens to Ace next week'?

     A. He leaves Capetown.             B. He's away from this school.

     C. He's unhealthy for work.          D. He comes to Emma Austen

41. How does he probably feel during the speech?

     A. Very surprised  B. Quite satisfied  C. A bit frightened     D. A little sad

42. What causes the speaker's retirement?

     A. His health problems.             B. The changes in the players.

     C. He's too old.                    D. He's sick of coaching.

完形填空（共15 小题；每小题1 分，满分15 分）
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Many books have been written about“the art of giving”. And we also know that it’s hard to give people a gift, 【小题1】a personal one. If we want to make it better, we should understand who you will give the gift to and their likes and 【小题2】
As is often the case, some little kids think they don’t get enough gifts 【小题3】some old people think they get too many gifts. Different people like different kinds of gifts. Some presents are never too 【小题4】 For example, when a little child just gives his or her mother a leaf from a tree, it is enough to make her very 【小题5】
Gift giving is different in different 【小题6】Here are some of their likes. In Japan, people sometimes give special gifts. But they are not opened. Later, the same gift may be given away to someone 【小题7】because many people have enough things and don’t want 【小题8】 gifts themselves. In Canada, a tree can help remember 【小题9】In the USA, some people ask their families and friends to give money to charity rather than buying them gifts. In Sweden, doing something for someone is the best gift. People don’t need to 【小题10】too much money. Instead, making a meal for him or her is enough.
To make things 【小题11】some people would rather just give money. In some cultures, however,【小题12】money can make people uncomfortable.“When someone gives me money, it just makes me think they’re being lazy,”says John Wilson.“In England, we have a saying: It’s the thought that 【小题13】When someone gives me money, I feel they don’t think it about at all. I prefer to receive a gift 【小题14】has some thought behind it.”
Different people have very different thoughts 【小题15】this subject! So maybe the art of giving is difficult! What do you think?