2019·南京、盐城一模)I first started writing in the summer of 1998.Back then I was a teacher.After years of dreaming, I decided it was finally time to write a book.For 10 years I wrote, __1__ four middle grade novels and six picture books almost only to editors.This was __2__ in the snail mail age.Remember the __3__ you experienced as a child waiting for birthday presents to arrive in the mail? That was me for the better part of a decade.
In Spring 2009, at the last minute, I decided to hand in a middle grade historical novelinverse to a __4__ at a local writing conference.I knew in my heart that it was my __5__ work, but I wasn't sure how it would be __6__ alongside pieces meant for the adult market.But then — I won.My prize __7__ a oneonone interview with an editor who, after __8__ my manuscript, asked, “Why don't you have a(n) __9__ yet？”
Not long after that, I __10__ with my first agent.Then in 2013, after parting with my first agent, I was again faced with the __11__ for representation.This time I submitted to three agencies and got two __12__.Over the span of 20 years, I've got 18 completed manuscripts and was __13__ almost 350 times.It took me 14 years to see my first book __14__ the shelf.You could look at these numbers and get pretty __15__.I can look at these numbers and feel the same.I know plenty of people with a __16__ apprenticeship (学徒期)．I have friends who have been more __17__.All sorts of authors I __18__ with in 2012 have published far more than I have.But here's the __19__ thing I've learned in the last 20 years: My process is mine.My journey is mine.Each book finds its way on its own.
The writing life is a longterm journey.There is no right way.There is no __20__ fix.There is no easy road.There is a lot of frustration and disappointment, but there is joy and satisfaction, too.
语篇解读：本文是一篇记叙文。作者在文中回顾了自己的写作生涯。作者从自己写完书到出版的经历领悟到写作是一个漫长的旅程，没有捷径可走，过程中会有挫折与不满，但是也交织着喜悦与满足。
1．A.submitting B．lending
C．keeping D．presenting
解析：选A 十年来，我写了四本中档小说和六本图画书，几乎只交给编辑。submit to“提交”。第三段的第三句“This time I submitted to three agencies ...”也有提到。
2. A．soon B．back
C．already D．later
解析：选B 由空格后“snail mail age”可知是回到传统邮寄信件的年代，选B。
3．A.appreciation B．entertainment
C．anticipation D．embarrassment
解析：选C 根据后面的“waiting for birthday presents to arrive in the mail？”，可知作者等待的心情是充满期待的。anticipation “期待，希望”，符合语境。appreciation“感激，欣赏”；entertainment“娱乐”； embarrassment“难堪； 窘迫”。
4．A.publisher B．newspaper
C．reception D．competition
解析：选D 我在当地的写作会议上决定用一本历史小说参加竞赛。根据第7题前面的“My prize”，可知是一个竞赛。
5．A.initial B．casual
C．innovative D．subjective
解析：选C 这些书是我的创新之作。innovative“创新的”，符合语境。initial“最初的；开始的”；casual“随便的；偶然的”；subjective“主观的；个人的”。
6．A.criticized B．processed
C．received D．distributed
解析：选C 我不知道我的书在成人读物市场received (收获)什么样的评价。获得反响，用receive。criticize“批评”； process“处理；加工”；distribute “分配，散布”。
7．A.followed B．included
C．ensured D．confirmed
解析：选B 我赢得的奖品包括(included)……，故选B。
8．A.correcting B．polishing
C．monitoring D．reviewing
解析：选D 出版商审查了我的原稿。 review“回顾；检查”，符合语境。
9．A.agent B．client
C．instructor D．fan
解析：选A 原词重现，下文多次出现agent(代理商)。
10．A.signed B．bargained
C．dealt D．reasoned
解析：选A sign with“与……签订”，固定搭配。
11．A.excuse B．affection
C．hunt D．request
解析：选C 上文中说道：don't have an agent，两次都是没有代理，所以现在要寻找代理。hunt for representation“寻找代理商”。
12．A.offers B．substitutions
C．professions D．complaints
解析：选A 我向三家出版社投稿，得到两份offer。
13．A.registered B．rejected
C．defeated D．deserted
解析：选B 在过去的20年里，我有18份手稿，被拒绝350次。
14．A.under B．beside
C．off D．on
解析：选D 看到我的第一本书上架用了我14年。on the shelf，“在书架上”，固定搭配。
15．A.amused B．inspired
C．touched D．frustrated
解析：选D 一本书被拒绝350次，修改了14年才得以上架，读者看见这些数字心情可能是frustrated，和尾段最后一句“There is a lot of frustration ...”呼应。
16．A.longer B．heavier
C．shorter D．newer
解析：选C 相同的时间其他的作者“have published far more than I have”出版了更多作品，因此推测他们的学徒期更加短暂。
17．A.famous B．intelligent
C．enthusiastic D．productive
解析：选D 由下句“have published far more than I have”可知相较于作者，其他作家是productive(能生产的，高产的)。
18．A.debated B．mixed
C．cooperated D．disagreed
解析：选B 我交往过的形形色色的作家，mix with 表示与某人交往，该句是定语从句I mixed with all sorts of authors ...。
19．A.key B．handy
C．funny D．lively
解析：选A 作者在过去20年的写作中学会的最重要的事情：the key thing。
20．A.temporary B．quick
C．possible D．flexible
解析：选B There is no quick fix“写作无捷径”，quick fix“速成之计”。
