完形填空（共20小题，每小题1.5分，满分30分）

Once there was a very brilliant, creative and educated man. He gained much   36   while traveling throughout the world. Unfortunately he lost his legs and left arm in a tragic accident, leaving only a finger and thumb on his right hand. He became so   37  that he was afraid he would spend his life   38   and would no longer be able to use his life in a(n)   39  way.

One day, he remembered how he had always loved getting   40  . He realized that he still had partial   41  of his right hand and could write with   42  . Then, he had an idea. “Why not write to other people who need encouragement?”

He   43   where he could find those who could be encouraged if they read his letters. He thought of people in   44 . Many of them had hope of regaining their   45  . Others would keep feeling depressed and remain put away for the rest of their lives. He decided that he must try to   46  them. So he wrote to a prison ministry about sending letters to the prisoners. The prison minister replied that writing to the prisoners would be   47  . However, it would be against prison rules for the prisoners to write back.

48   with the intention, the man began sending   49   messages of God’s love, hope, strength, and encouragement. He wrote twice a week, testing his strength and ability to the   50 . He poured his heart and soul into his words,   51   his experience, sense of humor, optimism, and faith.

It was difficult to write those letters, especially without hope of any   52  . Frequently, he felt discouraged, wondering if anyone   53   read his letters. However, this was his   54   chance，so he determined to continue.

At last, he received a letter from the prison officer, which said, “Please write on the best paper you can afford. Your letters are passed from cell (牢房) to cell until they almost fall to   55  !”

We all have unique experiences, abilities and talents. We can discover ways to reach others in need of encouragement and strength.

36. A. wealth             B. faith      C. experience  D. confidence

37. A. depressed            B. embarrassed       C. ashamed       D. thrilled

38. A. writing        B. suffering       C. weeping      D. wandering

39. A. abnormal            B. regular          C. comfortable       D. meaningful

40. A. presents        B. e-mails          C. letters    D. prizes

41. A. sense              B. strength         C. shape        D. function

42. A. affection            B. caution          C. difficulty       D. confidence

43. A. estimated       B. doubted         C. assumed         D. wondered

44. A. hospitals            B. churches        C. prisons        D. charities

45. A. families            B. letters     C. freedom         D. conscience

46. A. release             B. reach         C. defend          D. know

47. A. acceptable      B. reasonable  C. prohibited       D. considered

48. A. Faced             B. Filled         C. Satisfied    D. Impressed

49. A. holy              B. daily          C. one-way     D. round-way

50. A. point              B. worst         C. degree       D. limit

51. A. sharing             B. learning        C. gaining       D. enriching

52. A. success             B. reply          C. help           D. progress

53. A. curiously            B. patiently        C. carefully       D. actually

54. A. only              B. better           C. extra         D. lost

55. A. ruin               B. pieces     C. the ground  D. the bottom