In January 1986 I saw a show about cartooning called “Funny Business” on TV. I had always wanted to be a 36 but never knew how. So I wrote to the host of the_37_, cartoonist Jack Cassady, asking for advice on entering the profession(职业).
Two weeks later I got a (n) 38 letter from Jack, answering my questions about materials and process(过程). He also 39 me not to get discouraged if I was refused 40 . He said the cartoon samples（样本） I sent him were good and worthy of publication（出版）.
I got very 41 , finally understanding how the whole process 42 . I sent my best cartoons to Playboy and New Yorker, 43 the magazines rejected（拒绝）me immediately. Discouraged, I put my art supplies in the box and 44 to forget all about cartooning.
To my 45 , in June 1987 I got another letter from Jack, although I hadn’t even 46 him for the former advice. Here’s what he said:
Dear Scott,
I was reviewing my “Funny Business” mail file when I again came 47 your letter and your cartoons. I remember answering you letter.
I’m writing to encourage you to submit(提交) your ideas to various publications again. I hope you have 48 done so and are making progress and having some 49 too. Sometimes encouragement in the funny business is hard to e by. That’s 50 I am encouraging you to hang in there and keep drawing.
I wish you good luck.
Sincerely,
Jack
I was deeply 51 because Jack had nothing to gain—including my thanks. I acted on his 52 , took out my art supplies and inked the sample strips(漫画连载) that 53 became Dilbert.
I feel 54 that I wouldn’t have tried cartooning again if Jack hadn’t sent the second letter. As Dilbert became more successful I came to 55 Jack’s simple act of kindness.
【小题1】A．singerB．writerC．actorD．cartoonist【小题2】A．show B．televisionC．weddingD．party【小题3】A．surprisingB．encouragingC．shocking D．disappointing【小题4】A．allowedB．suggestedC．insisted D．warned【小题5】A．at firstB．first of allC．at lastD．in the end【小题6】A．confusedB．anxiousC．excitedD．enthusiastic【小题7】A．performedB．advancedC．behavedD．worked【小题8】A．butB．soC．andD．though【小题9】A．concludedB．persuadedC．decidedD．thought【小题10】A．disappointmentB．surpriseC．sorrow(悲伤)D．satisfaction【小题11】A．askedB．hopedC．wishedD．thanked【小题12】A．acrossB．overC．offD．through【小题13】A．stillB．everC．alreadyD．yet【小题14】A．troubleB．funC．difficultyD．problem【小题15】A．whatB．whichC．howD．why【小题16】A．touchedB．interestedC．shockedD．influenced【小题17】A．warningB．encouragementC．adviceD．view【小题18】A．surprisinglyB．finallyC．constantlyD．freely【小题19】A．concernedB．uneasyC．worriedD．certain【小题20】A．understandB．honorC．appreciateD．respectD
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(答案→)D
解析：本文讲述了在Jack善意的鼓励的之下我努力进行卡通创作，最后取得了成功的故事。
【小题1】D 上下文串联。根据下文内容可知我一直都梦想做一名卡通作家。故D正确。
【小题2】A 上下文串联。根据文章第一行I saw a show，说明我写信给这次演出的主持人。
【小题3】B 上下文串联。根据48空上一行I’m writing to encourage说明我收到是一封他写给我的鼓励的信，故B正确。
【小题4】D 动词辨析。A允许B建议C坚持D警告，提醒；他还提醒我遇见困难不要泄气。
【小题5】A 介词辨析。A起初，开始的时候B首先C/D最后，终于；他提醒我在开始的时候如果我被拒绝，不要泄气。
【小题6】C 形容词辨析。收到了他的鼓励我的信我应该感觉很兴奋。
【小题7】D 动词辨析。A表演B进步C行为D工作，进展；我最后终于明白整个过程是如何进行的。
【小题8】A 连词辨析。我把我的作品寄给了对方，但是对方立刻就拒绝了我。上下文之间存在转折关系。
【小题9】C 动词辨析。A结束B说服C决定D思考；我决定忘记所有与卡通有关的内容。
【小题10】B 上下文串联。多年以后我又一次收到了Jack的来信，这是一件很让我惊讶的事情。
【小题11】D 上下文串联。根据51空后Jack had nothing to gain—including my thanks说明我当年甚至都没有回信表示感谢。
【小题12】A 固定词组。Come across遇见，看见；Jack在重新看邮件的时候，又一次看见了这封信，所以才又给我写了信。
【小题13】C 副词辨析。Already以及。我希望你已经这样做了。
【小题14】B 名词辨析。A麻烦B快乐C困难D问题；他希望我能从卡通创造中得到快乐。
【小题15】D 连词辨析。这正是为什么我我鼓励你努力努力进行卡通创造的原因。
【小题16】A 形容词辨析。A感动的B有趣的C震惊的D有影响的；我被他感动了，这么多年以后他还写信给我来鼓励我进行卡通创作。
【小题17】C 名词辨析。A警告B鼓励C建议D观点；我按照他的建议开始做了。Advice经常与介词on连用。
【小题18】B 副词辨析。A让人惊讶地B最后C不停地D自由地；最后我创作出了Dilbert
【小题19】D 形容词辨析。A担忧的B不安的C担心的D确定的；我敢确定如果没有他的鼓励我接不会再一次尝试卡通。
【小题20】C 动词辨析。A理解B尊敬C欣赏，感激D尊敬；我很感激他给我的善意的鼓励。