第三部分:阅读理解（共20小题;每小题2分, 满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每篇短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A lot of us lose life's tough battles by starting a frontal attack--when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who was on his trapped way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒) about the job. Although there was a good reason for Sam's being late--serious illness at home--he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn't work any longer. His supervisor was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal speech.
Yes, the boss was, Sam entered the office at 9:35. The place was as quiet as a locker room; everyone was hard at work. Sam's supervisor came up to him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin and stretched out his hand. "How do you do!" he said. "I'm Sam Maynard. I'm applying for a job, which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?"
The room exploded in laughter, except that the supervisor had to clamp off a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had saved his job--with the only tool that could win, a laugh.
Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying "no", criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it's the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialog may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum.
51. Why was Sam late for his job?
A. Because he was seriously ill at home. B. Because he received an ultimatum.
C. Because he was busy applying for a new job. D. Because he was caught in a traffic jam.
52. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Sam Maynard saved his job with humor B. Humor is important in our lives
C. Early bird can get the worm D. Humor can solve racial discriminations
53. The phrase "clamp off" in Paragraph 3 means .
A. try to hold back B. pretend to set C. send off D. give out
54. Which of the following statements can we infer from the passage?
A. Many lose life's battles for they are always late.
B. Sam was supposed to come to his office at 8:30.
C. It wasn't the first time that Sam came late for his work.
D. Humor is the most effective way of solving problems.
