desk next the to_For long, a little boy was wondering why his next-desk-pal could rank 1st in the c...

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For long, a little boy was wondering why his next-desk-pal could rank 1st in the class whenever he wanted to, whereas he himself 41 to: he only ranked 21st.

At home, he asked his Mom, "Mom, am I more stupid than others? I feel I am as 42 as him, but how come I always 43 behind? "Hearing the words, Mom was 44that her son began to gain self-esteem(自尊), which was now being 45 by the ranking system. Staring at him, she went 46, not knowing how to explain.

In another test, the son ranked 17th, 47 his pal remained 1st. Back home, he raised the same 48. Mom really wanted to inform her son that intelligence is49, which means that students ranking 1st are 50 to be cleverer than normal ones. Thank goodness, 51,  she did not open her mouth. She thought it 52 to put any additional burden on his son and was trying to find out a perfect 53.

Time going fast, the son finished primary school. 54 studying harder and better, he was still unable to 55 his pal. To show her pride of him, Mom decided to take him to the 56. During the trip, she managed to 57 an answer. She pointed to the beach and said, "Do you see the seabirds over there? When the waves come near, little birds can 58 quickly while “clumsy” sea-gulls would take more time to complete the 59. However, have you noticed birds that finally fly 60 the endless ocean are none other than “clumsy” sea-gulls?"

Now, the son no longer worries about his rankings, because, with the 1st ranking, he is accepted by Tsinghua University.

41. A. failed                 B. wanted                    C. tried                 D. afforded

42. A. clever                B. talented                  C. careful                    D. good

43. A. leave                 B. fall                          C. come               D. go

44. A. sad                   B. convinced               C. aware                     D. worried

45. A. developed         B. improved                C. questioned             D. ruined

46. A. crazy                 B. pale                        C. angry               D. wordless

47. A. while                 B. when                       C. although          D. as

48. A. hand                 B. question                 C. word                D. trouble

49. A. different            B. changeable                   C. funny             D. frightening

50. A. required                   B. supposed               C. meant                     D. addicted

51. A. meanwhile         B. therefore                C. however          D. but

52. A. cruel                 B. wise                        C. impossible              D. necessary

53. A.fact                           B. answer                           C. result               D. idea

54. A. With                  B. By                           C. On                   D. Despite

55. A. come up with     B. keep up with           C. end up with             D. go up with

56. A. countryside              B. hometown               C. downtown        D. sea

57. A. give out                    B. send out                 C. leave out         D. let out

58. A. jump                  B. beat                        C. rise                  D. flee

59. A. process                    B. task                        C. program          D. flight

60. A. through                    B. over                        C. across                    D. into