阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案.

　　People in Britain are living longer and are 1 , with the 2 that more and more money is being spent on consumer goods, 3 the latest statistics.

　　But while people 4 appear to be healthier and wealthier, an analysis of 5 activities suggests they are also lazier. 6 the most popular pastime is watching television, with 98 percent of homes having 7 one set and over a third having a video recorder.

　　Other pastimes 8 listening to music, gardening, sports, visiting friends or going out for a meal. The 56.8 million people of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 9 an 10 12 million household pets.

　　Most of the homes now have central heating, washing machines, refrigerators, telephones and even cars.

　　Britain are also 11 more foreign holidays. United Kingdom residents took over 17 12 holidays overseas in 1986, 13 15.75 million in 1985, and the most popular destinations were 14 Spain, France and Greece.

　　More people are eating meals out and 15 lifestyles have changed, the consumption of take--away meals, convenience foods and so--called fast food has also 16　　 . Over the past 25 years, consumption of 17　　 coffee, processed foods, fruit and vegetables has risen 18 home consumption of beef, lamb, bread, potatoes, butter, sugar and tea has 19　　 .

　　Alcohol consumption is continuing its rise but the types of drinks taken has changed. Beer remains the most popular, but lager（淡啤酒）now 20 more than half of beer sales and there has been a switch from whisky to other spirits.

　　And those of us who survive and prosper can expect to live to the age of 71 for men and 77 for women--a year longer than in 1985.

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根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。（请将答案写在答题纸上）

　　　　　　　　Getting to Now: How to Beat the Procrastination Habit

　　I am a procrastinator(拖拉者). I always have been. I've tried all sorts of things to beat the habit. Here are some techniques I've been using to try to force myself to get to now:

　　Set aside blocks of time to do things. When I was talking with my wellness coach earlier this year, she asked me why I didn't exercise more often. “　1.　,” I said. “Something always comes up.” She wasn’t impressed. “J.D.,” she said, “You have to make time. Make an appointment with yourself to run or to go for a bike ride.” The same principle applies to other things you might procrastinate.

　　　2.　. Often I’ll be sitting on the back porch reading a book, and it will occur to me that some chore needs to be done — mending the fence, for example. “　3.　,” I tell myself. Wrong! What usually happens is that I forget to write it down, and even if I do, I just look at the list and procrastinate for weeks on end. The best move is to actually do the chore when I think of it. (Assuming, of course, that I have the time at that moment,which I usually do.)

　　Use a timer to bring you back to reality. Part of the reason I procrastinate is that I'm a daydreamer. 　 4.　. One way to keep on track is to use a timer. I use the Ultrak Jumbo Countdown Timer, but not as often as I should. I set it for 48 minutes. When it goes off, 　 5.　: Am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing?

　　Do not multitask. I often start many things at once, but I never actually do any of them. In order for me to get something done, I need to focus my attention on it. Trying to do several things at once is a sure way to be sure they'll all be unfinished tomorrow.

　　A. I’m always lost in thought

　　B. it brings me back to reality

　　C. If it comes to mind, then do it

　　D. I don’t have the time

　　E. it serves as an instant reality check

　　F. Do it right away if you are asked to do something

　　G. I need to write that down so I can remember it

Angels
My friend Heather mentioned that she had never seen an Angel. Then I remembered the 36  I had with my sister Sandra earlier this week.
This will be Sandra’s first Christmas without her husband. This summer he died in her arms. On Thursday, she was in the store 　37　 for an ideal card for her two sons and daughter. Time passed by quickly as she 　38  the many choices. She wanted a card that sent something special to each of them, 　39  she knew they would have a(n) 　40  place in their heart this holiday season.
Finally! She found the one that expressed the 　41 feeling. The words expressed the feelings that she wished to share. However, a sharp pain pierced(穿透) her heart when she realized that the card was 　42 “mom and dad.” She stood there, 　43  it close for a long time, unable to move from the 　44  . Tears began to run down her cheeks.
“Is there something I can do for you?” a 　45  voice asked. She 　46  to face a stranger, a woman, who was looking at her with 　47  and concern. “Uh…oh...OH!” Sandra responded, “I can’t give this card to my children because…because my husband died and this is the 　48  card.”
Hearing this, the stranger’s face softened with sympathy(同情) and love. She reached out and　49  my sister into her arms, giving her unspoken permission to cry in the protection of her embrace(拥抱). She 　50  held my sister until her calmness　51  . “Thank you for listening to me cry on,” was what my sister said when all was better. “You are welcome, and I am so sorry for your 　52 ,” the stranger answered and said goodbye to her.
During her telling of this event I was feeling 　53  that I hadn’t been there. My sister needed me and a stranger had to do my 　54  .  “You know,” she went on, “a friend suggested that it was like meeting with an Angel.” My 　55  disappeared in an instant. My sister required an Angel, and I think that is exactly what she got.

Angels

My friend Heather mentioned that she had never seen an Angel. Then I remembered the  36   I had with my sister Sandra earlier this week.

This will be Sandra’s first Christmas without her husband. This summer he died in her arms. On Thursday, she was in the store 　37　 for an ideal card for her two sons and daughter. Time passed by quickly as she 　38   the many choices. She wanted a card that sent something special to each of them, 　39  she knew they would have a(n) 　40  place in their heart this holiday season.

Finally! She found the one that expressed the 　41  feeling. The words expressed the feelings that she wished to share. However, a sharp pain pierced(穿透) her heart when she realized that the card was 　42  “mom and dad.” She stood there, 　43  it close for a long time, unable to move from the 　44  . Tears began to run down her cheeks.

“Is there something I can do for you?” a 　45  voice asked. She 　46  to face a stranger, a woman, who was looking at her with 　47  and concern. “Uh…oh...OH!” Sandra responded, “I can’t give this card to my children because…because my husband died and this is the 　48  card.”

Hearing this, the stranger’s face softened with sympathy(同情) and love. She reached out and 　49  my sister into her arms, giving her unspoken permission to cry in the protection of her embrace(拥抱). She 　50  held my sister until her calmness 　51  . “Thank you for listening to me cry on,” was what my sister said when all was better. “You are welcome, and I am so sorry for your 　52  ,” the stranger answered and said goodbye to her.

During her telling of this event I was feeling 　53  that I hadn’t been there. My sister needed me and a stranger had to do my 　54  .  “You know,” she went on, “a friend suggested that it was like meeting with an Angel.” My 　55  disappeared in an instant. My sister required an Angel, and I think that is exactly what she got.

第二节：完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36～55各题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

This morning, I received a phone call from one of my close friends, Nikko, which immediately changed this bright sunny day into a dark terrible pit of endless sorrow. He told me that Diane’s dad had just  36  , at 12:00 on January 3,2008.

Nikko told me that Diane had  37  everything about her dad on her blog, so I  38  right up from bed and got to her blog instantly. Her blog, always so  39  and nice, is suddenly filled with sorrow and grief.

She must have been writing with  40  streaming down her cheeks, with eyes so  41  from the sleepless night, and with a heart so  42  and regretful and yet, she wrote the post, full of determination and will,  43  strength and love. She showed no  44  of weakness and retreat. She  45  that she didn’t notice how her father was feeling before the sudden stroke (中风)   46 him on his sleep. I feel so sorry for her , as her close friend, that I am not able to give her my support and a shoulder to  47  because I live so far away. But I know she will be  48  . She had determined to become the pillar(支柱) of  49  for her mom and her brother.

Although Diane’s father is no longer  50  , his memories would always be with his family. I gave Diane my deepest condolence（吊唁）for her  51  of her most beloved one.

I have known Diane and her family ever since we were in primary school.  52  can be really cruel sometimes,  53  someone or something you have learned to love and rely on. A(n)  54  death like Diane’s father is the most sorrowful. Destiny didn’t even give his family the  55  to say their last goodbyes.

Diane wanted everyone to cherish their loved ones and do not wait until it’s already too late. Tell them you love them and let them know how you feel before it’s too late.

36．A. passed away            B. left over                     C. sent off                     D. filled up

37．A. spoke                     B. found                         C. written                      D. uncovered

38．A. jumped                   B. run                            C. shouted                     D. cleaned

39．A. interesting               B. colorful                      C. good                         D. mind

40．A. water                      B. tears                           C. blood                        D. sweat

41．A. sleepy                     B. big                             C. infected                     D. red

42．A. bleeding                 B. heavy                         C. painful                      D. sympathetic

43．A. from                      B. of                              C. on                            D. without

44．A. sign                        B. explanation                 C. expression                 D. impression

45．A. argued　　　　      B. noticed                       C. blamed                      D. regretted

46．A. broke                     B. attacked                      C. affected                     D. made

47．A. depend on               B. keep up                      C. cry on                       D. carry out

48．A. strong                     B. weak                          C. sorrowful                  D. lonely

49．A. mind                      B. center                         C. power                       D. support

50．A. lively                     B. present                       C. painful                      D. alive

51．A. loss                        B. love                           C. regret                        D. thanks

52．A. Future                    B. Lives                          C. Destiny                     D. experience

53．A. giving up                B. taking away                C. suffering from           D. mourning for

54．A. regretful                 B. heart-broken               C. unforgettable             D. instant

55．A. chance                    B. reward                       C. treat                          D. attention