第二节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
Just how popular was Mini? Very. Every year, her classmates voted her 31 the favourite student. She was so easy to 32 along with that the number of friends she had by far outnumbered (压倒)those of anyone else in her group.
One day the 10-year-old was 33 talking in the class and ordered to stay back as 34 . Staying back 35 doing something “useful”, like helping in the garden or library after school.
Now the school in which Mini 36 had a rule of sorts. Once a month, you could interchange your punishment schedule with someone else. If you 37 something else to do the day you were punished, you could 38 a friend to stand in for you. Of course, you had to return the favour, but in that same month itself. Otherwise the favour cancelled itself out. So the students who stayed back for others and wanted the favour repaid, found ways to be punished that very month. 39 it happened, on that day a very dear aunt was visiting Mini on her way back to America. That afternoon was the only 40 Mini had of seeing her for another five years. Mini needed someone to stand in for her. That was a problem though it was the last day of the month. So anyone who helped her, would do so out of friendship's sake alone. She sought out Preeti, her “best'”friend. "Oh no Mini, I can't," Preeti said. "I have to coach my brother for his nursery entrance test. The kid just can't seem to get into any decent （体面的）school." And she spent a good 41 of time telling Mini of her brother's problems.
"Mohit, 42 you stay back for me?" Mini asked another friend who was dribbling a ball（运球） in the playground. She knew he often just hung around after school. "To help the librarian? I 43 you'd told me earlier. I have to go to a relative's house with my father. Some other day perhaps," and 44 that Mohit fled.
By now, Mini was beginning to 45 if even one of her friends would 46 to stay. But she tried again. Three 47 friends and each one refused. Of course, no one said "no" outright. Mini was a great pal, after all. But each had a “reason”why they couldn't take her place that afternoon, and if only it were some other day...
So, after school Mini stayed back to help the 48 , Ms Mathur. And, when the remote Ms Mathur found her crying after everyone had left, it was she 49 surprised Mini by allowing her to leave to meet her aunt. "Some popularity I have," Mini murmured（嘟囔） to herself, as she went home. "I may have many friends, but in reality I have 50 ."
31. A. for B. as C. against D. with
32. A. go B. take C. get D. bring
33. A. kept B. prevent C. stopped D. caught
34. A. punishment B. award C. reward D. guilt
35. A. intended B. meant C. suggested D. showed
36. A. worked B. lived C. studied D. stayed
37. A. needed B. made C. required D. had
38. A. ask B. order C. demand D. advise
39. A. Since B. When C. While D. As
40. A. chance B. choice C. change D. challenge
41. A. plenty B. many C. deal D. number
42. A. will B. must C. shall D. may
43. A. want B. hope C. expect D. wish
44. A. on B. by C. with D. at
45. A. realize B. doubt C. recognize D. admit
46. A. allow B. permit C. agree D. approve
47. A. more B. another C. many D. others
48. A. aunt B. teacher C. friend D. librarian
49. A. what B. that C. which D. whom
50. A. nobody B. none C. no one D. nothing