As a child I never worried about losing my hearing, even though many other members of my family had done so. It seemed I was one of the __36__ ones. I had a lovely voice and felt __37__ about my singing. At 13，I made my debut(初次登台) in a school production of Carlo Menotti's opera and knew then that I __38__ on stage.
But then I noticed that __39__ I didn't sit at the front in lectures, I would __40__ to hear. I went to the hospital to have a __41__ test. I felt desperate，my ambitions __42__ by a diagnosis of incurable nerve deafness.
However, my bravery persuaded me to __43__ my plans and I went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. I kept my __44__ a closely guarded secret, convinced that admitting it would __45__ my career. I won roles on merit (凭成绩), but the added fear and anxiety at auditions(试音) __46__ me.
At 28, I made my debut at New Sadler's Wells Opera. But my hearing loss was __47__. I couldn't hear myself sing well any more. I'd get a feeling of terror and want to __48__ before every performance. __49__， a superb technician fitted in－the－ear hearing aids, making me self－conscious and my confidence __50__. I was fast learning to __51__， singing by sensation. Recording music is now a joy and acoustic (原声的)sounds through the headphones help me __52__．
__53__ in technology mean my latest hearing aids are wireless, and my __54__ is at its peak. I continue to tour the world. This year, I decided it was time to be __55__， not ashamed, and went public as the only deaf mezzo－soprano in the world.
( )36. A. clever B. lucky C. pitiful D. active
( )37. A. curious B. anxious C. awkward D. confident
( )38. A. belonged B. sacrificed C. survived D. trembled
( )39. A. though B. since C. if D. after
( )40. A. struggle B. hesitate C. pretend D. cease
( )41. A. blood B. hearing C. sight D. memory
( )42. A. achieved B. developed C. crushed D. extended
( )43. A. figure out B. stick to C. go over D. give up
( )44. A. background B. scores C. ambitions D. deafness
( )45. A. start B. further C. change D. ruin
( )46. A. puzzled B. consumed C. impressed D. motivated
( )47. A. accelerating B. compensating C. recovering D. disappearing
( )48. A. rest B. play C. drill D. flee
( )49. A. Thankfully B. Clearly C. Actually D. Generally
( )50. A. faded B. grew C. counted D. helped
( )51. A. forget B. judge C. cooperate D. adapt
( )52. A. laugh B. howl C. relax D. sleep
( )53. A. Drawbacks B. Applications C. Improvements D. Regulations
( )54. A. attention B. performance C. intelligence D. energy
( )55. A. famous B. creative C. proud D. innocent
