(09·四川)

I was successful at my job. I worked very hard, but it __21__ me and my family a fabulous(极好的) lifestyle. I’d worked for the same company for twenty years and had worked my way up to department director. __22__, one afternoon last May, I was called to the office, and it was __23__ explained to me that they were letting me go. I just sat there __24__ they talked on and all I could think was, “I’ve __25__. ” I’d been so well respected; __26__ I was of no value.

       For six weeks, I was in a very __27__ place. I wandered around my house like a zombie(僵尸). I could __28__ things needed doing, but would not do anything. My beliefs in looking forward and seeing the positive(积极的) in everything __29__ me.

       Then.  in late June, my youngest son’s football team made the city cup final. The year before, he’d been very sad when I __30__ the same final, so he was __31__ when I told him I’d go. Not only did they win, but the look on his face as he saw me __32__ him on was unbelievable. From then on, I spent the summer enjoying my sons and their passions(激情). I attended match after match and performances of my elder son’s ban — I __33__ went to another city to watch him play. These moments were so __34__. My life had been so much devoted to __35__ for so long.  and I felt __36__ that my sons were happy to welcome me into their world.

       __37__, being unemployed gave me back a sense of purpose — I was someone’s mum! I felt a sense of being __38__ again. Now I feel more positive about my professional __39__ and I’m getting on better with my family than I ever have. Losing my job made me realize just how __40__  it is to achieve real balance in life.

21.   A. Promised                  B. afforded                   C. showed                    D.  left

22.   A. Therefore                 B. Anyhow                   C. Otherwise                D.  However

23.   A. quickly                     B. gently                       C. partly                       D.  easily

24.   A. until                         B. after                         C. as                            D.  so

25.   A. failed                       B. finished                    C. tried                         D.  changed

26.   A. suddenly                  B. finally                       C. immediately              D.  shortly

27.   A. secret                      B. quiet                        C. lonely                       D.  dark

28.   A. see                          B. get                           C. suggest                    D.  understand

29.   A. defended                  B. directed                    C. deserted                   D.  disturbed

30.   A. watched                   B. missed                            C. lost                          D.  won

31.   A. disappointed             B. worried                    C. honoured                  D.  delighted

32.   A. cheering                   B. taking                       C. leading                     D.  passing

33.   A. just                          B. even                         C. still                          D.  almost

34.   A. hopeful                    B. meaningful                C. difficult                    D.  strange

35.  A. work             B. family            C. matches           D. performances

36.  A. successful         B. thoughtful         C. thankful           D. peaceful

37.  A. Naturally         B. Doubtfully         C. Disagreeably       D. Unexpectedly

38.  A. employed         B. comforted          C. valued            D. encouraged

39.  A. education         B. experience          C. relationship       D. future

40.  A important         B. interesting           C. simple           D. surprising