A lot of us lose life's tough battles by starting a frontal attack--when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who was on his trapped way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒) about 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, Sam entered the office at 9:35. 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, except that the supervisor had to clamp 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, 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 a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialog may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum.
1. Why was Sam late for his job?
A. Because he was seriously ill at home.    B. Because he received an ultimatum.
C. Because he was caught in a traffic jam.   D. Because he was busy applying for a new job.
2. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Sam Maynard saved his job with humor     B. Humor is important in our lives
C. Early bird can get the worm               D. Humor can solve racial discriminations
3. The phrase "clamp off" in Paragraph 3 means__________.
A. try to hold back    B. pretend to set      C. send off         D. give out
4. Which of the following statements can we infer from the passage?
A. Many lose life's battles for they are lacking in a sense of humor.
B. It wasn't the first time that Sam came late for his work.
C. Sam was supposed to come to his office at 8:30.
D. Humor is the most effective way of solving problems.

完形填空（共20小题：每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C、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。
Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s  employer's home．My friend，Arlene，was nervous，because the boss was very  21  with a fine home，and cars that  22  more than her house.
The boss was a generous  23  , and took them to the __24__ restaurants. Arlene knew she would  25  have the opportunity to go to such places again, so she was  26  herself greatly.                                                                               
They were about to 27  a good restaurant that evening when the boss stopped suddenly, looking __28__ at the road. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to __29__ him. There was nothing on the 30 except a penny.
The boss reached down and  31  the penny. He smiled, and then put it in his __32__as if he had found a great treasure. Why would a man like this pick up a single __33__? Why would he even take the time to __34__?
When they were in the restaurant she could  35  it no longer. She mentioned that her daughter had once had a coin  ___36__ , and asked if the penny had some value.
A __37__ crossed the man's face as he took the penny out of his pocket.
"Look at it," he said, "'In God We Trust'."
"In America, for those who trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.__38__ I find a coin I see those words. They can be __39__ on every single American coin,but people never seem to 40  them! For a short time, at least, I treasure each one as if it were gold."

完形填空（共20小题：每小题1.5分，满分30分）

阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C、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。

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s  employer's home．My friend，Arlene，was nervous，because the boss was very   21  with a fine home，and cars that  22  more than her house.

    The boss was a generous   23  , and took them to the __24__ restaurants. Arlene knew she would  25  have the opportunity to go to such places again, so she was  26  herself greatly.                                                                               

   They were about to  27  a good restaurant that evening when the boss stopped suddenly, looking __28__ at the road. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to __29__ him. There was nothing on the 30 except a penny.

  The boss reached down and  31  the penny. He smiled, and then put it in his __32__as if he had found a great treasure. Why would a man like this pick up a single __33__? Why would he even take the time to __34__?

   When they were in the restaurant she could  35  it no longer. She mentioned that her daughter had once had a coin  ___36__ , and asked if the penny had some value.

   A __37__ crossed the man's face as he took the penny out of his pocket.

   "Look at it," he said, "'In God We Trust'."

"In America, for those who trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.__38__ I find a coin I see those words. They can be __39__ on every single American coin,but people never seem to  40  them! For a short time, at least, I treasure each one as if it were gold."

A. mean           B. wealthy            C. rude              D. strict

A. indicate         B. expect             C. cost               D. equip

A. host            B. manager           C. master             D. guest

A. nearest         B. oldest              C. finest              D. warmest

A. often           B. already            C. never              D. ever

A. enjoying        B. improving          C. promoting          D. blaming

A. praise          B. leave              C. enter               D. reserve

A. over           B. down              C. close              D. for

A. support         B. pass              C. shout               D. help

A. ground         B. restaurant          C. floor                D. car

A. saved up        B. applied for         C. picked up            D. hunted for

A. pocket          B. wallet             C. bag                D. hand             

A. treasure         B. money             C. note               D. penny              

A. stop            B. prevent             C. wait              D. remain

A. stand           B. keep               C. doubt             D. avoid

A. box            B. collection           C. doll               D. memory

A. smile           B. look               C. sign               D. tear

A. Whenever       B. However            C. Whatever          D. Whoever

A. registered       B. printed              C. found             D. produced

A. notice          B. appreciate            C. share             D. seize

The boss was sick, so the meeting had to __________ till next week.

A. put off   B be put off    C. put down       D. be put dowm

  ----- I tried my best. 　　　　

-------Yes, but ______ .

　 A. the boss didn’t seem satisfied 　 B. the boss seemed that he was not satisfied

　 C. it seemed not to have satisfied 　 D. it looked that the boss was not satisfied