第二节  完形填空(共20小题;每小题1.5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A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
Two runners stand side by side at the starting line of a race.   36   look very strong and fast.37   one runner speeds ahead and wins the race.The other  38    .
Some athletes can reach great    39   such as winning an Olympic gold medal. Others never live up to their   40  . What kind of preparation before a race or before other kinds of events makes the    41   ?
Everyone knows that athletes try to    42   their bodies. But research shows that strengthening the mind may be just as   43 . Careful study indicates that the best athletes win  __44  because they think they can win.
Positive thoughts seem to provide the edge for   45   in sports. People who say “I know I can do this” to themselves over and over   46    find that they have the advantage to win.On the other hand, people who think“I can,t win”often __47.
One procedure that helps many athletes is creating    48  in their mind. They are told to think of each jump they must make to   49  . Some use pictures that are more fanciful. One skater liked to think about a star bursting inside her,    50    her with energy. Another athlete who wanted to feel   51   pictured himself as a bird floating in the air.
Next time you want to do something well, try training your    52    to help you. Perhaps a teacher or other instructors can   53   you plan your training. If you imagine yourself doing better, you may soon see improvements in   54   you really can do. Positive thinking and pictures ___55   in your mind can help you win!
36. A. Neither              B. All                           C. Each                        D. Both
37. A. But                    B. So                      C. Or                       D. And
38. A. falls down    B. leaves behind     C. leaves alone              D. falls behind
39. A. prizes      B. goals          C. medals        D. places
40. A. promise          B. name             C. level          D. ability
41. A. progress              B. mistake                C. achievement         D. difference
42. A. determine    B. expand                     C. strengthen         D. extend
43. A. possible     B. interesting         C. difficult            D. important
44. A. partly          B. entirely                    C. completely        D. mostly
45. A. failure         B. luck                         C. success                     D. competition
46. A. often           B. never                C. hardly               D. rarely
47. A. fail         B. succeed              C. understand         D. expect
48. A. ideas           B. thoughts                   C. wonders                   D. pictures
49. A. fail                     B. run                          C. win                          D. go
50. A. giving         B. helping                    C. taking           D. tiring
51. A. encouraged  B. calm                        C. excited                     D. anxious
52. A. mind                  B. body                     C. brain                 D. imagination
53. A. help                   B. advise               C. allow                D. persuade
54. A. which          B. that                     C. what                        D. how
55. A. made                  B. hung                        C. discovered         D. created