三、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各题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
My friend Jessie and I have known each other since we were very young. After we both got married we seldom had time to get together 36 I always promised myself that I would meet her whenever I was free.
Friendships get more 37 as we get older. When we reached our forties, we 38 to do something to keep our 39 strong, healthy and growing. We picked out one Saturday a month and 40 to do something together that day. Sometimes we had a long lunch out, and other times we went to see a movie or went shopping. We also promised to have a(n) 41 every few days.
In some adventures we drove to our favorite places and 42 a night there. Other times we just 43 , stopping wherever we wanted. One of our adventures 44 us to a very small town in south Georgia. The people there were 45 a special festival. We were 46 to buy the handmade gifts and eating the 47 food. There was also a parade. Everyone in the parade 48 and waved to us! It was so great! We 49 had a great time that day!
Fun is always on the menu, whether it’s a weekend trip or a couple of hours 50 lunch. We are so happy and have a great 51 on each other’s lives. We share our sorrow and 52 and we ask for and receive advice. We always laugh, too!
Don’t keep promising yourself that “someday” you’ll 53 your friends. Do it now. Pick up your phone and make a 54 for THIS weekend. You’ll be a happier, 55 person for it! You need it and your friends need it, too.
36. A. as B. unless C. though D. since
37. A. precious B. difficult C. boring D. interesting
38. A. refused B. decided C. remembered D. regretted
39. A. friendship B. connection C. marriage D. life
40. A. forgot B. promised C. learned D. pretended
41. A. racing B. adventure C. hiking D. appointment
42. A. offered B. took C. cost D. spent
43. A. looked B. left C. drove D. ran
44. A. gave B. took C. pushed D. forced
45. A. obtaining B. enjoying C. preparing D. representing
46. A. unwilling B. eager C. delighted D. neat
47. A. delicious B. terrible C. awful D. valuable
48. A. wiped B. appealed C. smiled D. announced
49. A. hardly B. nearly C. really D. probably
50. A. over B. on C. at D. with
51. A. regret B. influence C. discussion D. impression
52. A. weakness B. benefits C. problems D. happiness
53. A. meet B. advise C. support D. grasp
54. A. design B. plan C. speech D. record
55. A. busier B. prettier C. healthier D. cleaner