第二节：完形填空(共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分)
Today I am known for my voice. Perhaps
the greatest honor came when I was asked to read the New Testament (新约全书)
on tape.
But it 36 a long time to believe such good things could happen
to me. When I was a youngster I stuttered (口吃) 37 badly
I was completely 38 to
speak in public.
39
, when I was 14, Professor Donald Crouch came to our school.
He was a retired college professor. English was his favorite subject; poetry
was his deepest love. He held a book of poems 40
it were a
diamond necklace, turning pages as if 41 treasures. When he heard our school was
teaching Shakespeare and other classics, he could no longer 42
not being a part of our school.
When
he 43 that I not only loved poetry but was 44 it, we became closer. There was, however,
one 45 between
us - Professor Crouch could not stand the 46 that I refused to read my poems to the
class.
“Jim, poetry
is 47 to be read aloud,” he said. “You should
be able to speak those beautiful words.”
I shook my head and 48 .
Then he
tricked me. After handing in a poem, I waited for his 49 .
It didn’t come. Instead, one day as the students gathered together, he
challenged me. “Jim, I don’ t think you wrote this.” I 50
him in disbelief. “Why?” I started, anger
flooding me, “Of course, I 51 !”
“Well,
then,” he said, “you’ve got to prove it by getting up and reciting it
52 memory”.
By then the other students had settled at
their desks. With knees shaking, I walked up. For a moment I stood 53
.
Then I began, and kept going. I recited my poem all the way through!
Afterwards, Professor Crouch
congratulated me, and 54
me to read other writers’ poetry in
public.
Before
long I discovered I did have a(n) 55 and found my fellow students actually looked
forward to hearing me recite.
36. A. lasted B.
took
C. was
D. wasted
37. A. so
B. silly C.
such
D. rather
38. A. uncertain B. unlikely C. unbelievable D. unable
39. A. But
B. Besides
C. Then D.
However
40. A. even if B. so that C. as if D. on condition that
41. A. recovering
B. uncovering C. removing D. discovering
42. A, prevent B. help C. keep D. stand
43. A. learned B. knew C. decided D. proved
44. A. writing B. reading C. reciting D. saving
45. A. difference B. difficulty C. promise D. pity
46. A. truth B.
idea C. fact
D. belief
47. A. said
B. meant C. caused D.
prepared
48. A. answered back B. showed up C. turned away D. stuck to
49. A. correction B. praise C. return D. comment
50. A. replied to B. laughed at C. pointed to D. stared at
51. A. could B.
did
C. should D. had
52. A. with B.
of
C. from
D. in
53. A. changeless
B. hopeless
C. helpless
D. breathless
54. A. enabled B. persuaded C. encouraged D. supported
55. A. voice B.
sound
C. appearance D.
interest