完形填空（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36－55各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
I was successful at my job. I worked very hard, but it   31    me and my family a fabulous (极好的) lifestyle. I’d worked for the same company for twenty years and had worked my way up to department director.    32   , one afternoon last May, I was called to the office, and it was    33    explained to me that they were letting me go. I just sat there  34    they talked on and all I could think was, “I’ve failed.” I’d been so well respected.    35   I was of no value.
For six weeks, I was in a very dark place. I wandered around my house like a zombie (僵尸). I could see things that needed doing, but would not do anything. My beliefs in looking forward to seeing the positive in everything    36    me.
Then, in late June, my youngest son’s football team made the city cup final. The year before, he’d been very sad when I    37    the same final, so he was    38    when I told him I’d go. Not only did they win, but the look on his face as he saw me    39    him on was incredible(难以置信), From then on, I spent the summer enjoying their passions (激情). I attended match after match and performances of my elder son’s band----I even went to another city to watch him play. These moments were so    40   . My life had been so much devoted to    41    for so long, and I felt    42    that my sons were happy to welcome me into their world.
43    , being unemployed gave me back a sense of purpose ----- I was someone’s mum! I felt a sense of being   44   again. Now I feel more positive about my professional future   and I’m getting on better with my family than I ever have. Losing my job made me realize just how    45    it is to achieve real balance in life.
31. A. promised                          B. afforded                          C. showed                  D. left
32. A. Therefore                         B. Anyhow                           C. Otherwise             D. However
33. A. quickly                               B. gently                              C. partly                     D. easily
34. A. until                                    B. after                                C. as                            D. so
35. A. Suddenly                        B. Finally                    C. Immediately         D. Shortly
36. A. defended                          B. directed                          C. deserted               D. disturbed
37. A. watched                                     B. missed                                      C. lost                         D. won
38. A. disappointed                    B. worried                           C. honoured              D. delighted
39. A. cheering                            B. taking                              C. leading                   D. passing
40. A. hopeful                              B. meaningful                    C. difficult                  D. strange
41. A. work                                   B. family                              C. matches                D. performances
42. A. successful                         B. thoughtful                      C. thankful                 D. peaceful
43. A. Naturally                           B. Doubtfully                      C. Disagreeably        D. Unexpectedly
44. A. employed                          B. comforted                      C. valued                    D. encouraged
45. A. important                         B. interesting                     C. simple                    D. surprising