A lot of us lose life's tougher battles by starting a frontal(正面的)attack-when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who hit a traffic jam on his way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒)about being late on the job. Although there was a good reason for Sam's being late-serious illness at home-he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn't work any longer. His supervisor was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal speech. Yes, the boss was, as Sam entered the office at9:35. The place was as quiet as a locker room(更衣室);everyone was hard at work. Sam's supervisor came up to him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin and stretched out his hand. "How do you do!" he said. "I'm Sam Maynard. I'm applying for a job. Which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?"

　　The room exploded in laughter. The supervisor clamped off a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had saved his job-with the only tool that could win, a laugh.

　　Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected(忽略), means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying "no," criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it's the only tool that can succeed. It is away to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialogue may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians(喜剧演员)on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance(忍受力)than people in any other forum.

1.WhywasSamlateforhisjob?

　A. Because he was ill.　　 B. Because he got up late.

C. Because he was caught in a traffic jam. 　 D. He was busy applying for a new job.

2.The main idea of this passage is ____.

　A. Sam Maynard saved his job with humor 　 B. humor is important in our lives

　C. early bird gets the worm 　　　　 D. humor can solve racial discriminations.

3.The phrase "clamped off" n paragraph 3 means____.

　A. tried to hold back　 B. tried to set　 C. charged　 D. gave out

4.Which of the following statements can we infer from the passage?

A. Many lose life's battles because they are lacking in a sense of humor.

B. It wasn't the first time that Sam came late for work.

C. Sam was supposed to arrive at his office at8:30.

D. Humor is the most effective way of solving problems

If you suspect the illness might be serious you should not ______ going to the doctor.

A．put off　　　 B．hold back 　　 C．put aside　　 　　 D．hold up

People have planted a great many trees in order to ____wind and sand in the desert.

A. hold down　　　　 B. hold up　　　　　 C. hold back　　　 D. hold out

The old lady can't hope to _____ her cold in a few days.

A. get over 　　 B. get off 　　　 C. hold back 　 D. hold up

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s came to the hospital. I heard him saying to the nurse that he was in a hurry for an appointment（约会） at 9:30.

The nurse had him take a 　26 in the waiting area, 　27 him it would be at least 40 minutes 　28 someone would be able to see him. I saw him 　29 his watch and decided, since I was 　30 busy – my patient didn’t 　31 at the appointed hour – I would examine his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment.

The gentleman said no and told me that he 　32 to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his 　33 . He told me that she had been 　34 for a while and that she had a special disease. I asked if she would be 　35 if he was a bit late. He replied that she 　36 knew who he was, that she had not been able to 　37 him for five years now. I was 　38 , and asked him, “And you 　39 go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”

He smiled and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I know who she is.” I had to hold back 　40　 as he left.

Now I 　41 that in marriages, true love is 　42 of all that is. The happiest people don’t 　　43 have the best of everything; they just 　44 the best of everything they have. 45 isn’t about how to live through the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

1.　　　 A. breath 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. test 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. seat D. break

2.　　　 A. persuading 　　　　　　　 B. promising 　　　　　　　 C. understanding D. telling

3.　　　 A. if 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. before 　　　　　　　　　 C. since D. after

4.　　　 A. taking off　　　　　　　　 B. fixing 　　　　　　　　　　 C. looking at D. winding

5.　　　 A. very 　　　　　　　　　　　 B. also 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. seldom D. not

6.　　　 A. turn up 　　　　　　　　　 B. show off 　　　　　　　 C. come on D. go away

7.　　　 A. needed 　　　　　　　　　 B. forgot 　　　　　　　　　　 C. agreed D. happened

8.　　　 A. daughter 　　　　　　　　 B. wife 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. mother D. sister

9.　　　 A. late 　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. well 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. around D. there

10.　 A. lonely 　　　　　　　　　　 B. worried 　　　　　　　　 C. doubtful D. hungry

11.　 A. so far 　　　　　　　　　　 B. neither 　　　　　　　　　 C. no longer D. already

12.　 A. recognize 　　　　　　　　 B. answer 　　　　　　　　　 C. believe D. expect

13.　 A. moved 　　　　　　　　　　 B. disappointed 　　　　　 C. surprised D. satisfied

14.　 A. only 　　　　　　　　　　　 B. then 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. thus D. still

15.　 A. curiosity 　　　　　　　　 B. tears 　　　　　　　　　　　 C. words D. judgment

16.　 A. realize 　　　　　　　　　　 B. suggest 　　　　　　　　　 C. hope D. prove

17.　 A. agreement B. expression 　　　　　　　　　　 C. acceptance D. exhibition

18.　 A. necessarily 　　　　　　　 B. completely 　　　　　　 C. naturally D. frequently

19.　 A. learn 　　　　　　　　　　　 B. make 　　　　　　　　　　 C. favor D. try

20.　 A. Adventure 　　　　　　　 B. Beauty 　　　　　　　　　 C. Trust D. Life