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，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，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

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 band—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