衡阳市第八中学2014届高三上学期第二次月考英语试题答案(3)

“ I guess this means I’m growing up,” said Vanessa.
First beds are first milestones. For the first time we are free to get out of bed without  44  someone lift us from our cradles. We are trusted to handle the freedom with respect and are expected to  45 new rules. First days of school, first loves, firsts jobs，first homes or apartments, first child；they’re all  46  in life. Each comes with   47  and responsibilities and it all starts with the first bed..
36. A. instead of  B. as to      C. due to D. regardless of
37. A. anxiously     B. surprisingly      C. purposely D. especially
38. A. stayed  B. headed      C. missed D. left
39. A. bent      B. lay            C. settled     D. sighed
40. A. camp     B. basket          C. house     D. cradle
41. A. prize           B. surprise        C. word       D. promise
42. A. bounced B. turned       C. climbed  D. laughed
43. A. pure  B. little      C. exact  D. sudden
44. A. joining in     B. giving in      C. sending for  D. waiting for
45. A. build     B. ignore          C. follow  D. break
46. A. obstacles B. memories  C. scenes  D. milestones
47. A. sorrow B. joys       C. interest D. pride
SECTION C （12 marks）                                               
Directions: Complete the following passage by filling in each blank with one word that best fits the context.
Grace, like many renters, is tired of renting.   48  . reason is that her annual rent keeps going up. Every year her landlord raises the rent by five percent. Another reason is her neighbors. She finds it hard to get      49  well with them. “ New neighbours  always seem to care less about other people’s feelings than the ones 50  moved out,”she said, “My first neighbour liked closing his door loudly; I always knew when he came home or left home. _51  he moved out, a saxophonist moved in. He practiced two hours every day. On Saturday his friends 52  come over and I’ d get to listen to a whole band. I once called the police,  53  they said saxophone playing was permitted in apartments for up to four hours 54 day, they told me I was lucky that the guy was  55 playing two hours!”

PART THREE   READING  COMPREHENSION （30 marks）
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.
A
    Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her three-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
    The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen. But complications arise during delivery. Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.
       The little girl gets worse. The doctor tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby — now they plan a funeral.
        Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says. But kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. However, Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not.  “If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.” She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. The head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! " The mother, the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing.       
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray”  
Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.    
"You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away "
The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr.     
Keep on singing, Michael. Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse as well as Karen.    
Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day — the very next day — the little girl is well enough to go home!