Ⅵ. 完形填空

阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

　　Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another.

-Marquis de Condorcet

　　If you took the strengths of others, and compared them to your weaknesses, do you think this would make you feel good? The funny thing is, this is 1 most of us do at one time or another-and some of us do pretty 2 .

　　It's surely a practice for a 3 in selfconfidence and for unhappiness. Let's say I take a look at someone who creates 4 artwork on their website and I look at my art, and realize I don't come 5 to being matched with him. In fact, I look pretty pitiful. But it's not a fair 6 . If I looked at my strengths-writing useful and honest posts-I can see that I have a lot to offer, a lot to be happy about.

　　That's so important-being able to look at your own strengths, and see your true 7 . It's actually one of the 8 to success and happiness.

　　I want to talk about this issue 9 an email from a reader recently: I have some teammates from very rich families. I can't stop myself comparing my lifestyle with 10 . I must say that my 11 planning is sound enough to take care of my existing family; and I can take care of new family member also, at least for 12 even if I lose my current job. But 13 I see or hear them spending so much money after possessions, I start comparing 14 . How can I stop this habit, without changing jobs?

　　This is an excellent but tough 15 . I think it's 16 to compare ourselves to others, but it often makes us unhappy even if we have enough and 17 be happy with what we have. My quick advice: try to be aware of when you start comparing yourself to others ...once you've developed this 18 , stop yourself and tell yourself, "Stop that!" And then 19 thinking about all the things you do have, the things you love, the people you have and the blessings that 20 has given you. Make this a regular practice, and you'll start to be happier with your life.

1. A. why B. what C. that D. how

2. A. often B. seldom C. usually D. always

3. A. rise B. increase C. drop D. failure

4. A. astonished B. disappointing C. shocked D. amazing

5. A. up B. close C. down D. closely

6. A. comparison B. communication

C. competition D. connection

7. A. strengths B. shortcomings C. values D. weaknesses

8. A. reasons B. keys C. causes D. means

9. A. because of B. regardless of

　　C. in spite of D. in case of

10. A. them B. their C. themselves D. theirs

11. A. financial B. annual C. special D. beneficial