第二节．完形填空：（共20小题，每小题1．5分，满分30分）
On Christmas Eve, I gave each of the children three pieces of stationery （文具） with envelopes．At the （36） of each page were the （37）, “What I love about my sister Mia”, “What I love about my brother Kris”, “What I love about my sister Lisa” and “What I love about my brother Erik”．The （38） were 16,14,10 and 8, and it （39） some time to make it clear to them that they could find just one thing they （40） about each other．As they wrote in privacy, I went to my bedroom and wrapped their few store-bought （41）．
When I returned to the kitchen, the children had finished their （42） to one another．Each name was written on the outside of the envelope．We （43） hugs and goodnight kisses and they hurried off to bed．Lisa was given special （44） to sleep in my bed, with the promise not to steal a （45） at the gifts until Christmas morning．
Early in the （46）, we all got up and sat around the tree and opened the few wrapped presents．（47） the children were given their （48） envelopes．We read the words with （49） eyes and red noses．Erik, at 8, wasn’t expecting to hear anything （50）．His brother had written: “What I love about my brother Erik is that he’s not （51） of anything．” Mia had written, “What I love about my brother Erik is that he can talk to （52）! “Lisa had written．“What I love about my brother Erik is that he can （53） trees higher than anyone!”
I felt a gentle pull at my sleeve, and then a small hand cupped around my ear and Erik “（54）, “Gee, Mom, I didn’t （55） know they like me!”
36．A．top B．end C．middle D．side
37．A．phrases B．sentences C．words D．demands
38．A．boys B．girls C．daughters D．kids
39．A．spent B．took C．cost D．paid
40．A．liked B．talked C．hated D．learned
41．A．products B．clothes C．gifts D．flowers
42．A．homework B．thanks C．tasks D．letters
43．A．exchanged B．spared C．enjoyed D．attempted
44．A．order B．permission C．request D．duty
45．A．notice B．watch C．look D．note
46．A．evening B．moon C．afternoon D．morning
47．A．Afterwards B．Therefore C．However D．Fortunately
48．A．two B．three C．four D．many
49．A．sad B．bright C．teary D．happy
50．A．strange B．funny C．nice D．terrible
51．A．sure B．certain C．kind D．afraid
52．A．anybody B．somebody C．nobody D．teachers
53．A．feel B．climb C．reach D．touch
54．A．shouted B．cried C．whispered D．screamed
55．A．ever B．yet C．never D．even