第二節(jié)：完形填空（共20小題，每小題1.5分，滿分30分）
My brother-in-law lifted out a package in which was delicate lingerie（女式內(nèi)衣）“Jan bought it 8 years ago   36   she never wore it. She was   37   it for a special occasion.” He put it with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician（殯儀員）. “Don't save anything for a special occasion. Every day when you're   38   is a special gift.” he said.
I remembered those words through the funeral（葬禮）and the days that followed when I helped with all the chores after Jan's sudden   39  . I thought about them on the plane returning to California. I'm   40   thinking about his words, and they've   41   my attitude towards life. I'm admiring the view   42   worrying about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and   43   time in committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be an experience to   44  , not tolerate. I'm trying to recognize these moments and   45   them. “Someday” and “one of these days” are   46   from my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what my sister would have done if she had known she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all __47__ for granted. I think she would have gone out for her favorite Chinese food. She might have called a few former friends to apologize for past   48  . I'm guessing — I'll   49   know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were __50__ . Angry because I   51   seeing good friends I was going to get in touch with — someday. Angry and __52__ that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying not to put off, or save anything that would add   53   and color to our lives. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself it is   54  . Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a（n）  55   from God.
36. A. and                 B. so                     C. as                  D. but
37. A. buying                B. saving                 C. leaving              D. remaining
38. A. happy                B. healthy               C. alive                D. successful
39. A. separation             B. death                  C. disease               D. treatment
40. A. still                  B. also                   C. even                 D. therefore
41. A. changed               B. spoiled                 C. shaped                     D. held
42. A. beyond               B. besides                 C. without              D. over
43. A. most                 B. little                   C. more                 D. less
44. A. enjoy                B. share                  C. control              D. choose
45. A. ignore                B. value                 C. stress                 D. remember
46. A. disappearing           B. escaping               C. coming              D. leaving
47. A. find                  B. think                  C. take                 D. make
48. A. affairs                B. quarrels                C. hardships             D. memories
49. A. surely                 B. always                C. ever                       D. never
50. A. endless                B. abundant              C. valuable              D. limited
51. A. called off              B. gave off              C. put off                     D. took off
52. A. sorry                 B. disappointed           C. shameful             D. embarrassed
53. A. value                 B. laughter              C. imagination                 D. freedom
54. A. common               B. unforgettable                C. special               D. similar
55. A. offer                  B. promise                    C. smile                D. gift

Before the operation, the doctor had to talk to the patient in order to move her fear ________ she might die during the operation.

A. when         B. that            C. which             D. so that

Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so. But selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African woman they so rarely see.
Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The widespread theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype (模式化的形象) of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic mothers.
These images have helped define the way all black women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simply to be herself.
It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications (出版物) have done in-depth features on regular African-American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.
Just as she will have her critics, she will have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. Many African-American blogs have written about what they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House — mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone — an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise (沉著), confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around far too long.
【小題1】Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?

 Helen listened carefully _____ she might discover exactly what she needed.

閱讀下面短文，從短文后所給各題的四個選項（A、B、C和D）中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項，并在答題卡上將該項涂黑。

Many parents expect their children to be perfect. By giving up this myth (神話，不可能的事), we may gain something better—the good childhood. Tameka Watkins, ___36__, seems to have a natural skill for___37__. She sits with her ten-year-old ___38___ Cornelious—nicknamed C.D.— each night as he sets about doing his homework, but she doesn’t do it for him. ___39__ he tells her what he is learning, she listens with___40___. An investigation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that students like C.D. who __41___ their studies at home have __42__ average reading scores. The opportunity to talk about and to reflect on (思考) what he knows will ___43__ this honor student well through his school years.

While C.D. helps his mother clear the table, they talk about what’s on his__44__. Sometimes it’s his dream of being a police officer. Tameka encourages her son’s “what if” thinking, asks about his idea for the __45__, and ties it to his current (當前的) achievements. “You know, the police __46__solve problems,”  she might tell him, “just like you did in ___47__.” And when he visits his mom, who works as an exercise technician, his mother’s liking for her job___48___an example of satisfaction in a self-chosen task.

Takema is___49__ Robert Brooks call “a charismatic (有魅力的) ___50__”, one who helps the child learn about himself. “Children gather ___51___ strength and a resilient (適應能力強的) mind from this loving notice,” he says.

Not overpraised, not __52__ , not constantly rescued—__53___listened to, understood, and supported, C.D. is ___54__ the best possible gift of childhood from his __55___. It is the chance to be himself.

A. that is                    B. in other words          C. for example    D. such as

A. parenting               B. working                   C. teaching         D. exercising

A. daughter                B. son                          C. student           D. granddaughter

A. Whether                      B. Unless                      C. Though          D. When

A. doubt                    B. satisfaction               C. interest              D. surprise

A. analyze                  B. discuss                     C. like                   D. write

A. higher                   B. lower                             C. less                   D. fewer

A. benefit                  B. make                       C. do                    D. trust

A. study                    B. brain                        C. mind                 D. thought

A. homework           B. teacher                     C. future            D. family

A. can                      B. might                       C. shall                 D. have to

A. your play             B. science class       C. language class     D. the room

A. takes                   B. makes                      C. sets                   D. gets

A. what                    B. that                         C. which               D. who

A. teacher                B. technician                 C. adult                 D. friend

A. inner                  B. outside                     C. strong               D. full

A. overworked         B. overweighted            C. overslept           D. overprotected

A. nor                     B. but                       C. and                   D. also

A. receiving             B. refusing                   C. giving               D. buying

A. class                   B. school                   C. society                     D. mom