完型填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

  阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。 

    For long, a little boy was wondering why his deskmate could rank 1^st in the class whenever he wanted to, while he himself failed to: he only ranked 21^st.

   At home, he asked his Mom, “Mom, am I more   21  than others? I feel I am obedient and as careful as him, but   22  I always fall behind? ” Hearing the words， Mom was aware that her son began to  23   the sense of self-respect, which was now being injured by the ranking system.  24   at him, she went wordless, not knowing  25  to explain.

   In another test, the son ranked 17^th, while his deskmate remained 1^st. Back home he   26  the same question. Mom really wanted to inform his son that   27   differs, which means that students ranking 1^st are supposed to be cleverer than normal ones.  28  , was this discouraging answer the one that her son was constantly  29   about? Thank goodness she did not open her mouth.

How to answer her son’s question? There were times when she felt an urge to say, “You are too lazy. You are not as hard-working as others…”but she stopped   30   imagining her son suffering from the pains of unsatisfied grades and rankings. She thought it   31   to put any additional burden on his son and was trying to find out a perfect answer.

Time passing swiftly, the son   32  primary school. Despite studying harder and better, he was still unable to keep up with his deskmate. To show her pride of him, Mom decided to   33  him to the sea. During the trip, she managed to give an answer.

Now, the son no longer worries about his   34  , and there are no boring guys who would inquire his grades in primary school, because,   35   the 1^st ranking, he is admitted to Tsinghua University. Back home in winter vacation, he was invited to   36  the students and parents in his high school, In the speech, he mentioned a valuable experience in his childhood, “…When my mother and I were lying on the   37  , she pointed to the front and said, “Do you see the seabirds struggling for food over there ?When the waves come near, little birds can rise   38  while awkward seagulls would take more time to complete the process. However, have you noticed birds that finally fly  39  the endless ocean are none other than the awkward seagulls?” The speech   40   many mothers present to tears, including his mother.

1. A. considerate      B. careless        C. stupid               D. clever

2. A. what if           B. how come         C. how about            D. what for

3. A. lose              B. have             C. win                  D. beat

4. A. Shouting          B. Glaring         C. Staring          D. Pointing

5. A. which             B. why              C. when                 D. how

6. A. raised            B. met              C. answered           D. got

7. A. intelligence          B. right            C. knowledge            D. strength

8.A. Therefore          B. Still            C. Thus                 D. However

9. A. enthusiastic      B. curious          C. crazy                D. clear

10.A. if                B. before          C. unless               D. when

11. A. cruel           B. important       C. disappointed         D. necessary

12. A. attended        B. started         C. finished             D. entered

13. A. guide           B. take             C. bring                D. push

14. A. homework       B. belongings         C. health               D. rankings

15.A. in                B. by               C. with                 D. on

16.A. teach             B. deliver         C. address              D. face

17. A. floor           B. road             C. bank            D. beach

18. A. quickly          B. suddenly        C. slowly                D. sharply

19.A. into              B. through         C. across                D. throughout

20. A. made             B. moved            C. impressed            D. inspired