短文填空 选择恰当的单词填空,每词限用一次。（有两个多余的选项）

There is a human story, a story about luck, and above all, a __8__about basketball.

There are so many things to what has happened already to Jeremy Lin, because the rest of the league missed him and the Knicks nearly did, because he __9__ from Harvard, because he is Asian-American, because basketball New York has fallen for him as suddenly and completely as it has. But as ­­__10__ as this is a basketball story, a New York story, a story about an Asian-American kid who has become this kind of sudden star, the best part of it __11__ that it is an American story.

It is a story about immigrant(移民) parents and the country of possibilities they imagined, for themselves and their__12__, a story of hard work and perhaps dreams most of all.

“From the time we’re young enough to understand that this is a country of chances,” Lin’s college coach at Harvard, Tommy Amaker, said. “__13__, that’s what right about this story, not just his Ivy League background. This isn’t just about luck, it’s about putting in the work to be ready when chance does come your way.” Amaker said, “Did he need some luck?__14__, he needed some luck. But when he finally got some in the pros, he was ready. This kid didn’t just __15__ from the sky. I get that he’s more interesting because he’s Asian-American, and he’s from Harvard. But when his moment arrived, he was ready for it.”(Joy-Ride English,2012,5)

8. ____________  9. ____________ 10. ____________11. ____________

12. ___________  13.___________ 14. ____________ 15. ____________  

Obama has made history by becoming the first African-American in American history.
Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His parents didn’t live together when he was two years old and later divorced. Obama grew up with his mother in Hawaii, and for a few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983. Obama met his wife, Robinson, in June, 1989 and married her on October 3^rd, 1992. The couple’s first daughter was born in 1998, followed by a second daughter in 2001.
Obama took office in January 20, 2009. However, just when he became the president, he had to face many serious challenges ---- two foreign wars, the climate change and what he had described as “the worst financial crisis (经济危机) in a century”. But Obama said that he himself had been ready to face these challenges.
Obama’s success is a true milestone. It speaks to the fact that in America you really do get a chance to do anything, if you have the talent and abilities and you work hard enough.
【小题1】   How old was Obama when he became the American president?

--- How’s Tom today? I’m sorry to hear that he’s ill.
--- He said__________.

根据下列短文内容，在短文后的空格处填上一个恰当的词，使短文完整，通顺。

Are short people less happy with their lives than tall people? A recent study ____1.“Yes”. Short people feel that they don’t get ___2. respect(尊敬). It’s true that tall people make more money, get more respect, and have more important jobs ___3.? short people. In the US, the taller presidential candidate(候选人)usually wins.

It’s also hard to be a short famous person. Last week, French President Sarkozy (168cm) __4. a factory. People said that he made the shortest workers stand near him so that he would look taller in the photos. And when Hollywood movie star Tom Cruise (173cm)married Katie Holmes(179cm), he __5.? to make himself look the ___6. height as Katie in the wedding photos.

But life isn’t so bad for short people. Short people can move more quickly than tall people. Short people may live longer than tall people. It’s not easy for them to get some kinds of disease, _7.??? cancer.

In the end, it doesn’t matter ___8. a person is tall or not. There are good and bad sides to each.

Henry was an office worker in a big city. He worked very hard and enjoyed traveling in his holidays.
He usually went to the seaside, but one year he saw an advertisement in a newspaper. “Enjoy country life. Spend a few weeks at West Hill Farm. Good food，Fresh air，Horse riding，Walking，Fishing，Cheap and interesting.”
“This sounds a good idea,” he thought. “I’ll spend a month at West Hill Farm. I think I can enjoy horse riding, walking and fishing. They’ll make a change from sitting by the seaside and swimming.”
He wrote to the farmer. In the letter he said that he would like to spend all of July there. Then on the first of July, he left for West Hill Farm.
But four days later, he returned home.
“What was wrong with West Hill Farm?” his best friend, Ed, asked him. “Didn’t you enjoy country life?”
“Country life was very good,” Henry said. “But there was another problem.”
“Oh. What?”
“Well,” he said, “the first day I was there a sheep died, and we had roast mutton for dinner.”
“What's wrong with that?” Ed asked. “Fresh meat is the best.”
“I know, but on the second day a cow died, and we had roast beef for dinner.”
“Lucky you!”
“You don't understand,” Henry said. “On the third day a pig died and we had roast pork for dinner.”
“A different meat every day,” Ed said loudly, “ and you are complaining!”
“Let me finish,” Henry said. “On the fourth day the farmer died, and I didn't dare (敢)stay for dinner!”
【小题1】How did Henry find out about the farm?