第二节：完形填空: 15分
The yearly Marathon in my town usually happened during a heat wave. My job was to follow behind the runners in an ambulance（救护车） 31 any of them needed medical attention.
“We’re supposed to stay behind the __32__ runner, so take it slowly,” I said to the driver, Doug, as the race started.
The front-runners started to __33__ and then my eyes were drawn to the woman in blue silk running shorts and a loose white T-shirt.
We knew we were already watching our “last runner.” Her __34__ were so crippled（残疾的）that it seemed almost impossible for her to be able to walk, let alone run a marathon.
Doug and I watched in silence as she slowly moved forward. __35__, she was the only runner left in sight. Tears streamed down my face when I watched with respect ___36__ she pushed forward with great determination through the last miles.
When the finish line came into sight, rubbish lay everywhere and the __37__ crowds had long gone home. Yet, standing straight and ever so proud 38 a lone man. He was __39__ one end of a ribbon（缎带）of crepe paper（皱纹纸）___40__ to a post. She slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the paper fluttering behind her.
I do not know this woman’s name, but that day she became part of my __41__ – a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about __42__ the other runners or winning a prize, but about __43__ what she had set out to do, no matter __44__. When I think things are too difficult or I get those “I-just-can’t-do-it,” I think of the last runner. Then I realize how __45__ the task before me really is.
31. A. so that B. in case C. even though D. only if
32. A. first B. best C. only D. last
33. A. run B. separate C. disappear D. appear
34. A. hands B. legs C. arms D. body
35. A. Quickly B. Unluckily C. Naturally D. Finally
36. A. since B. before C. as D. until
37. A. tired B. waiting C. cheering D. impatient
38. A. stood B. waited C. came D. Had
39. A. helping B. catching C. holding D. tying
40. A. kept B. tied C. connected D. led
41. A. dream B. feeling C. idea D. life
42. A. following B. hoping C. encouraging D. beating
43. A. finishing B. realizing C. starting D. winning
44. A. where B. how C. when D. what
45. A. difficult B. interesting C. easy D. hopeful
