高三英语限时阅读训练（十一）

　　第三节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）

　　When I was 14, I was hired for an after-school job selling subscriptions（订阅单）to my hometown paper, the Houston Post. I was 36 to some of the city's worst neighborhoods to solicit（请求）door-to-door. 37 I was often struggling around after dark in bad areas searching for garage apartments, I was 38 for the work.

　　It was a 39 because people didn't like a stranger knocking on their door, 40 a kid trying to get them to buy something. 41 , a man slammed his door in my face and screamed, "I don't want no damn paper." I 42 myself to knock again and finally I was 43 to tell him how great the paper was. I 44 selling him a subscription. I was soon 45 the top subscription sellers and, like other successful salesmen, was given 46 for training newcomers.

　　Around this time I started 47 the harmonica and guitar. Before long I was playing in a band at chilicook-offs and other events. When I 48 18, I focused my attention on becoming a professional musician. I never 49 sight of this dream. I'm sure my perseverance came from 50 I learned from knocking on strangers' doors.

　　That 51 helped me in many ways. Early in my music career I was 52 in a legal dispute（争论）with a former manager. He 53 me to back off, but I refused.

　　Having all those doors slammed in my face as a kid gave me the 54 to stand up to this intimidating（恫吓的）figure. Except this time there was one difference: I was the one saying no. And I 55 .

　　36. A. taken B. made C. told D. sent

　　37. A. Even though B. For fear C. As if D. Shortly after

　　38. A. fearful B. grateful C. successful D. careful

　　39. A. nightmare B. trouble C. challenge D. task

　　40. A. even B. just C. only D. especially

　　41. A. At one time B. Later on C. Soon after D. Before long

42. A. asked B. forced C. made D. advised