第三节：完形填空（共15小题；每小题1分；满分15分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从31—45各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卷上将该项涂黑。
Creativity is the key to a brighter future, say education and business experts. Here is how schools and parents can encourage this important skill in children.
If Dick Drew had listened to his boss in 1925, we 36 not have a product that we now think of as of great importance: a new type of 37 . Drew worked for the Minnesota Mining Company. At work he developed a kind of material strong enough to hold things together. 38 his boss told him not to think more about the idea. Finally, using his own time, Drew improved the tape, which now is used everywhere by many people. And his 39 company learned from its mistake. Now it encourages people to spend 15 percent of their work time just thinking about and developing new 40 .
Creativity is not something one is just born with, nor is it 41 a character of high intelligence. The fact that a person is highly intelligent does not 42 that he uses it creatively. Creativity is the matter of using the resources one has to produce new ideas that are good for something. 43 , schools have not tried to encourage creativity. With strong attention to test results and the development of reading, writing and mathematical skills, many educators 44 creativity for correct answers. The result is that children can give back information but cannot recognize ways to use it in new 45 . They may know the rules correctly, but they are 46 to use them to work out practical problems.
It is important to give children 47 . From the earliest age, children should be allowed to make decisions and understand their results. Even if it’s choosing between two food items for lunch, parents should let their children decide how to use their time or spend their money, but not help them too much if they make the 48 decision. The child may have a hard time, but that is all right. This is ___49___the most important character of creative people is a very strong ___50 to find a way out of trouble.
36．A．should B．might C．will D．must
37．A．machine B．walkman C．tape D．ruler
38．A．But B．So C．And D．Though
39．A．new B．former C．own D．formal
40．A．tapes B．thought C．ideas D．feelings
41．A．usually B．really C．possibly D．necessarily
42．A．mean B．introduce C．conclude D．produce
43．A．Fortunately B．Unfortunately C．Anxiously D．Generally
44．A．give up B．take up C．use up D．keep up
45．A．conditions B．surroundings C．situations D．environments
46．A．sure B．ready C．able D．unable
47．A．choices B．chances C．time D．money
48．A．present B．hard C．wrong D．right
49．A．why B．how C．what D．because
50．A．desire B．inspire C．influence D．attitude
----Shall I give you a ride as you live so far away?
----Thank you. _________.
A. It couldn’t be better. B. Of course you can. C. If you like. D. It’s up to you.
The house rent is expensive. I’ve got about half the space I had at home and I am paying _________ here.
A. as three times much B. as much three times
C. much as three times D. three times as much
Mr Smith, there’s a man at the front door who says he has news _________ vital importance.
A. of B. with C. in D. from
Life is not always that smooth and I hope you can force a laugh _________ pain.
A. due to B. in spite of C. aimed at D. accustomed to
I would appreciate _________ if you could come to my birthday party.
A. you B. that C. this D. it
