二、单项填空（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分）
从每小题所给A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
--What is the matter with you?
--I caught cold and had to stay in bed.
A. a; / B. a; the C . a; a D. the; the
14．As we all know, it takes ten years to grow trees but a hundred to rear people, which means it will be ________ one becomes a useful person．
| A．before long | B．long after | C．after long | D．long before |
13．Busy _______ she is, Rita ______ two hours every Sunday afternoon to spend with her son．
| A．though, sets out | B．as, sets aside |
| C．as, sets down | D．though, sets off |
12．One of the best ways for people to keep fit is to ________ healthy eating habits．
| A．grow | B．develop | C．increase | D．raise |
11．Christmas is ________ special holiday when ________ whole family are supposed to get together．
| A．the ; the | B．a; a | C．the; a | D．a; the |
Get up early, you will be late!
| A．and | B．otherwise | C．then | D．but |