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21-40各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。 
I started to win competitions. We had very little money. My father had to borrow＄5000 to pay for a 21 to the International Young Pianists Competition in Germany when I was 12. I realized later how 22 pressure (压力)he was under as I looked at the invitation to the competition. Tears streamed 23 his face when it was announced that I ’d won—— earning enough money to pay  24  the money we borrowed .
It was soon clear that I couldn’t  25 in China forever. To become a world-class 26 , I had to play on the world’s big stages. So later, my father and I  27 to America, so I could attend a famous university to study  28 . the school paid for my apartment and even lent me a piano . At night, I would stay in the living room just to touch the keys.   
29 I was in America, I wanted to become famous, but my new teachers 30 me that I had a lot to learn, I spent two years practicing, and by 1999 , I had worked hard enough for opportunity to come, one morning later, I got a  31 .The great pianist Andre Watts, who was to 32 at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, had become ill. I was asked to  33 him. That performance was for me at the moment. After violinist Isaac Stern  34 me, I played Tchaikovsky’s (柴可夫斯基的)Piano Concerto No. 1. My father’s mouth hung  35 throughout the whole song.
Afterward, people celebrated—maybe they were a bit  36 –and asked me to play another one . I played until 3:30 a.m. I felt that something big was going to_37_. Sure enough, gigs(短期表演)started pouring in.
My father and I had often practiced a piece of music called “Horses”, a fun piece for piano and erhu. One night in Carnegie Hall, after I played Chopin(肖邦), I brought Dad out on the stage , and we played our special music. People 38 crazy—they loved it. My father couldn’t sleep for days. He was too happy to sleep.
There have been lots of 39 in Carnegie Hall, but for me, playing there was especially sweet. Together, my father and I worked to 40 the lucky place where a good chance caught sight of me , and let me shine. At last I made it.
21.A. trip                 B. travel            C. tour              D. voyage
22.A. many         B. old              C. much          D. long 
23.A. on            B. down            C. across           D. through 
24.A .for            B. back            C .off            D .over
25.A. study        B. work            C. play           D. stay
26.A musician     B. physician          C. politician       D. singer
27.A. moved      B. removed         C. settled            D. fled
28.A. performance B. instruments       C. music               D. dance
29.A. Even if               B. Such as           C. Now that           D. Only if 
30.A. reminded     B. requested          C. asked              D. ordered
31.A. performance B. chance            C. visit                  D. ticket
32.A. perform    B. join               C. appear       D. attend 
33.A .act           B. take             C. replace       D. place
34.A.visited               B. told               C. asked             D. introduced
35.A .open           B. closed           C. covered       D. round
36.A .upset          B .drunk            C. confused       D. anxious
37.A. break         B. come             C .end             D .happen
38.A. grew                B. went              C. became          D. was
39.A. people       B. guests             C. concerts        D. dramas
40.A .arrive        B. get                C. win            D. reach

I began working in journalism when I was eight. It was my mother’s idea. She wanted me to “make something” of myself, and decided I had better start young if I was to have any chance of keeping up with the competition.
With my load of magazines I headed toward Belleville Avenue. The crowds were there. There were two gas stations on the corner of Belleville and Union. For several hours I made myself highly visible, making sure everyone could see me and the heavy black letters on the bag that said THE SATURDAY EVENING POST. When it was suppertime, I walked back home.
“ How many did you sell, my boy?” my mother asked.
“ None.”
“ Where did you go?”
“ The corner of Belleville and Union Avenues.”
“ What did you do?”
“ Stood on the corner waiting for somebody to buy a Saturday Evening Post.”
“ You just stood there?”
“ Didn’t sell a single one.”
“ My God, Russell!”
Uncle Allen put in, “ Well, I’ve decided to take the Post.” I handed him a copy and he paid me a nickel. It was the first nickel I earned.
Afterwards my mother taught me how to be a salesman. I would have to ring doorbells, address adults with self-confidence, and persuade them by saying that no one, no matter how poor, could afford to be without the Saturday Evening Post in the home.
One day, I told my mother I’d changed my mind. I didn’t want to make a success in the magazine business.
“ If you think you can change your mind like this,” she replied, “ you’ll become a good-for-nothing.” She insisted that, as soon as school was over, I should start ringing doorbells, selling magazines. Whenever I said no, she would scold me.
My mother and I had fought this battle almost as long as I could remember. My mother, dissatisfied with my father’s plain workman’s life, determined that I would not grow up like him and his people. But never did she expect that, forty years later, such a successful journalist as me would go back to her husband’s people for true life and love.
【小题1】Why did the boy start his job young?

When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student(优等生), I believed I could  1   tough（=hard） subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he  2 in class.
When I took the first exam, I was  3   to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper,  4   English was my best subject. I went to reason with Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained 5  .
I decided to try harder, although I didn't know what that  6   because school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully, but got another 77. Again, I  7    with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened patiently but wouldn't change his  8   .
One more test before the final exam. One more  9  to improve my grade. So I redoubled my efforts(加倍努力) and, for the first time,  10  the meaning of the word "thorough"（彻底的）.But my  11  did no good and everything  12  as before.
The last hurdle（障碍）was the final. No matter what  13 I got, it wouldn't cancel three C-pluses. I might as well kiss the  14  goodbye.
I stopped working hard. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. The night before the final, I even  15  myself to a movie. The next day I decided for once I'd have  16  with a test.
A week later, I was surprised to find I got an A. I hurried into Professor Jayne's office. He  17  to be expecting me. "If I gave you the As you  18  , you wouldn't continue to work as hard."
I stared at him,  19  that his analysis and strategy（策略）were correct. I had worked my head  20  , as I had never done before.
I was speechless when my course grade arrived: A-plus. It was the only A-plus given. The next year I received my scholarship. I've always remembered Professor Jayne's lesson: you alone must set your own standard of excellence.

To son, Cecil,

       Just a quick note before I start in earnest. When I wrote this, you were 8, still a little boy. In 2002, I was called to active duty in the Marine Corps in the war on Terrorism (恐怖主义). On the 11th of September 2001 when America was attacked, I knew that I would eventually have to go and I was filled with a deep sense of sadness. That night as you and Keiko were asleep, I looked at your little faces and couldn’t help but fight the tears. I knew it would be hard for you because I had a similar experience. When I was a little boy aged 6, my dad, your Grandpa Cawley, was sent to Vietnam during the war there. I remember how much I missed him, too. But now unfortunately I have come to realize just how rough it must have been for Grandpa to be away from his children for a year. Thinking about this, I wanted to put my thoughts and feelings down for you and your sister. I am so sorry that I had to leave for such a long time. There is no place I would rather be than with you and Keiko. You two are the lights of my life. I have known no greater joy than in the few years since you two were born. I hope to have many more years with you. If this doesn’t happen, then know that I love you more than words can express. If for some reason I don’t make it home, I will need you to take care of your little sister and your Mom. You will be the man of the Cawley family. Be good my son and God will watch over you as he has me. I will be waiting impatiently for the time when we can all be together again.

The writer of the letter may be ______.

A. an American soldier in the battle field           

B. an American policeman

C. a soldier in the Vietnam War                        

D. a postman working far away from home

Keiko is the ______ of the writer.

     A. wife                        B. son                          C. daughter                          D. sister

One of the experiences the writer and his son had in common is that ______.

A. they both experienced the Vietnam War 

B. their fathers had to leave them and fight abroad.

C. they used to study in the same school

D. they were both eight when the fathers had to leave them

We can infer(推断) that ______.

A. the writer was a devoted son        

B. the writer was a brave soldier

C. the writer realized he might die in the battle field

D. the writer’s wife was suffering from a terrible illness.

I started winning competitions. We still had very little money -- my father had to borrow $5,000 to pay for a trip to the International Young Pianists Competition in Ettlingen, Germany, in 1994, when I was 12. I realized later how much pressure he was under. Tears streamed down his face when it was announced that I'd won -- earning enough money to pay back our loan.

It was soon clear I couldn't stay in China forever. To become a world-class musician, I had to play on the world's big stages. So in 1997, my father and I moved again, this time to Philadelphia, so I could attend The Curtis Institute of Music. Finally our money worries were easing. The school paid for an apartment and even lent me a Steinway（斯坦威钢琴）.At night, I would sneak into the living room just to touch the keys.

Now that I was in America, I spent two years practicing, and by 1999 I had worked hard enough for fortune to take over. The Chicago Symphony orchestra heard me play and liked me, but orchestra schedules were set far in advance. I thought I might join them in a few years.

The next morning, I got a call. The great pianist Andre Watts, who was to play the "Gala Benefit Evening" at Chicago's Ravinia Festival, had become ill. I was asked to replace him. That performance was, for me, the moment. After violinist Isaac Stern introduced me, I played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. My father's mouth hung open throughout the entire song.

I played until 3:30 a.m. I felt something happening. Sure enough, it was a great success. Still, my father kept telling me, "You'd better practice!" But living in America with me was beginning to relax him. In Beijing I'd been fat -- he made sure I ate -- and he'd been skinny. Now I was getting thin. He wasn't.

My father and I had often practiced a piece called "Horses," a fun version for piano and erhu. One night in Carnegie Hall, after I played Chopin and Liszt, I brought Dad out on the stage, and we played our duet（二重奏）. People went crazy -- they loved it. My father couldn't sleep for days. He was too happy to sleep.

There have been lots of concerts in Carnegie Hall, but for me playing there was especially sweet when I remember the cold days in Beijing. Together, my father and I worked to reach the lucky place where fortune spots you, and lets you shine.

In the first paragraph his father cried when it was announced that he'd won mainly because__________.

A.his father was excited that his son succeeded at last.

B.his father was under too much pressure.

C.they could pay back the loan with the prize.

D.his father was proud of him.

Tell the order of the events.

a. He and his father moved to Philadelphia.

b. He was asked to replace the great pianist Andre Watts.

c. He and his father played “Horses” together.

d.The Chicago Symphony orchestra heard his performance.

e. The Curtis Institute of Music lent him a Steinway

A. a, e, c, b, d       B. b, e, a, d, c       C. d, a, e, b, c       D. a, e, d, b, c

Which of the following statements agrees with the author?

A. The writer’s father had been very fat before they went to America.

B. The writer thought he would be one of them soon when he knew the Chicago Symphony orchestra heard him play and liked him.

C. The Curtis Institute of Music finally eased their money worries.

D. One can achieve his dream if he is lucky enough.

The underlined word there in the last paragraph refers to_________.

A. America     B. Beijing.   C. Carnegie Hall  D. All the places he went to. 

What is the best title of the passage?

A. I Took Off!                          B. When Fortune Spots Me.

C. No Pain, No Gain.                    D. My father and I