通读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后在各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中选出最佳选项。

I have two really good friends, Nancy and Richard. They both believe in the __31____ of positive thinking. However, though their personalities are __32___, they are totally different in other areas of their lives. The biggest differences are their _33___, career choices, and way of life.

　 Love and care __34____ Nancy’s childhood, she, along with her younger sister, was __35___ by her mother and father. Nancy’s parents paid much attention to her schoolwork, making her excellent at school. On the other hand, Richard’s childhood lacked love. His parents__36__ him up to his grandparents when they failed to take care of him properly. His grandmother took care of him for most of his growing up years. Moreover, since his sister did not live with him, he never really got to ___37__ her.

Another difference is their career choice. Nancy has always been a caretaker and made a choice to work in all kinds of different _38___ settings: doctor’s offices, hospitals, nursing homes and a visiting nurse. Her __39___ part was working with pediatrics (小儿科)。 However， Richard _40___ to work in the business world, he prefers to work with _41___ rather than with people.

A third difference is their__42___. Nancy is always on the go. She goes to yard sales, out to eat, and enjoys nature. She is __43____; has five children, thirteen grandchildren, several great-grandchildren. In contrast, Richard likes to stay home and do things alone. He is single and has no children.

I am very __44____ for the fact that I have two similar yet very different friends, Nancy and Richard. This has __45____ me that anyone can be a positive thinker. And it is also what makes my friendship with both of them very interesting and challenging.

31. A. energy　　　　 B. power　　　 C. ability　　　 D. effort

32. A. strong　 　　　 　 B. special　　　 C. impressive　 D. similar

33. A. childhood　　　 B. education　　 C. appearance　 D. family
34. A. affected　　　　 B. filled　　　 C. influenced　　 D. controlled

35. A. brought　　　　 B. moved　　　 C. raised　　　 D. changed

36. A. took　　　　　　 B. picked　　　 C. called　　　 D. gave

37. A. visit　　　　　　 B. know　　　 C. phone　　　 D. touch

38. A. medical　　　　 B. physical　　 C. political　　 D. chemical

39. A. difficult　　　　 B. complete　　 C. favorite　　　 D. natural

40. A. agreed　　　　　 B. refused　　　 C. chose　　　 D. remembered

41. A. machines　　　　 B. exhibitions　 C. agreements　 D. coins

42. A. hobby　　　　　 B. custom　　　 C. habit　　　 D. lifestyle

43. A. beautiful　　　　 B. confident　　 C. famous　　 D. married

44. A. anxious　　　　　 B. thankful　　 C. sorry　　　 D. ready

45. A. reminded　　　　 B. made　　　 C. taught　　　 D. encouraged

　　People celebrate (庆祝) birthdays in almost every country on Earth. And they celebrate them in many different ways.

　　In China and in Japan, for example, the arrival of the New Year is more important than a person's birthday. So everyone adds a year to their ages on New Year's Day, instead of on their birthdays.

　　In Brazil, the special birthday food isn't cake, but special candies. In China, it's long noodles－for long life. In Iceland, people have pancakes with candies rolled inside them on birthdays.

　　In Britain, a birthday is an all-day celebration. At school, the birthday child is lifted up and “bumped” by his classmates. This means the child is lifted by the feet and arms and bumped to the ground, once for each year and once for good growth. In Israel, the same custom (风俗) is followed, except the birthday person is lifted and lowered while sitting in a chair.

　　In Holland, children not only get presents, but they give things out, too. They give cakes, cookies and candies to their classmates and teachers on their birthday.

　　In Mexico, it's good luck to give birthday greetings as early in the day as possible. So it's usual for the birthday child to be woken up at mid-night by friends singing birthday songs.

　　In India, birthday celebrations also begin before dawn (黎明) . Prayers (祈祷) and blessings must be said before morning comes.

　　In Thailand, two tall candles are lighted the night before a birthday. One is as tall as the birthday person. If it goes out early, it's bad luck. Another custom of Thailand is that they buy live (活的) fish and birds for the birthday person and then the birthday person frees the animals, and it brings good luck.

　　In Nigeria, everyone in a certain age group celebrate their birthdays together, on a certain day.

　　In many countries birthday customs are changing. Old customs are giving way to western style birthdays, with candle-topped cakes. But one thing never changes－birthdays are special days for everyone!

1．It's custom to lift and lower the birthday person in a chair in ________ .

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2．In Mexico the birthday greetings are usually given at mid-night

because ________ .

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A．birthday celebrations must begin before dawn

B．prayers must be said before dawn

C．the birthday person must be woken up at mid-night

D．it will bring good things to the birthday person

3．According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

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A．In Thailand people give fish and birds to the birthdays person as presents.

B．In Holland people give presents to unbirthday persons.

C．In Nigeria people who were born in the same period (期间) may celebrate their birthdays on the same day.

D．In Thailand a candle will be lighted on the birthday night.

4．How many countries are mentioned (提及) in this passage?

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