第二节完型填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上涂黑。
A successful business man was growing old and wanted to choose a successor to take over the business. He called all the young executives together and said, "I have to __36__ and choose the next CEO from you."
They were __37__, but the boss continued. "I am going to give you a very __38__ seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back one year from today with __39__ you have grown from the seed. I will then __40__ the plants, and choose the next CEO."
Jim went home __41__. Everyday, he would water the seed and see __42__ it had grown. Although he kept __43__ his seed, nothing ever grew. Many weeks went __44__, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a __45__.
A year later, they brought their plants to the CEO for __46__. When Jim arrived, he was __47__ at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful.
The CEO greeted them. "What great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be__48__ the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO __49__ Jim at the back with his empty pot. The CEO asked him what had happened - Jim told him the story. He looked at Jim, and then __50__, "The next CEO is Jim!"
Jim couldn't believe __51__. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. "How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
Then the CEO said, "The seeds I gave you were boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not __52__ for them to grow. Jim was the only one with the courage and __53__ to bring me a pot with my seed in it. __54__, he is the one who will be the new CEO!"
If you plant honesty, you will reap __55__. So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
36. A. step down B. sit down C. settle down D. hand down
37. A. exhausted B. shocked C. annoyed D. embarrassed
38. A. special B. valuable C. common D. expensive
39. A. how B. which C. where D. what
40. A. compare B. observe C. judge D. examine
41. A. heatedly B. excitedly C. desperately D. disappointingly
42. A. if B. unless C. until D. though
43. A. checking B. planting C. appreciating D. counting
44. A. down B. away C. by D. back
45. A. fool B. failure C. successor D. onlooker
46. A. direction B. application C. instruction D. inspection
47. A. amazed B. discouraged C. amused D. puzzled
48. A. performed B. voted C. considered D. appointed
49. A. spotted B. glanced C. stared D. noticed
50. A. announced B. stated C. confirmed D. whispered
51. A. it B. those C. themselves D. him
52. A. likely B. sure C. necessary D. possible
53. A. confidence B. honesty C. optimism D. diligence
54. A. Moreover B. However C. Therefore D. Besides
55. A. trust B. success C. power D. reputation