I thought we'd be late for the concert,           we ended up getting there ahead of time.

but

or

so

for

考查连词。句意：我以为我们音乐会迟到了，但是我们提前到达了那里。but 但是；or 或者；so 因此；for因为；两个分句在意义上bu是转折关系，故用but。故选A项。

You don't have to know the name of the author to find a book. You           find the book by the title.

must

need

can

would

考查情态动词辨析。句意：你不需要知道作者的名字就能找到一本书。你可以按书名找到这本书。A.must必须，一定；B.need 需要；C. can可能；可能；D.would愿意。根据句意可知，此处表示一种客观的可能性，应使用情态动词can。故选C项。

Inside the window hangs a         carved out of this piece of wood by the artist.

decoration

destination

departure

discipline

考查名词辨析。句意：窗户边上挂着一幅被艺术家由这块木头雕刻的装饰品。A. decoration装饰，装饰品；B. destination目标； C. departure 离开；D. discipline纪律。窗边应挂着装饰品。故选A项。

        bothers me is that I can't keep my mind on the task, but on personal gains or losses.

What

It

That

One

考查主语从句连接词。句意：困扰我的是我不能专注于任务，而是专注于个人得失。此处为主语从句，从句中缺少主语，结合句意表示“困扰我的是”应用what。故选A项。

While we may not be born with a nature talent, we can          for it with hard work.

break up

take up

bring up

make up

考查动词短语辨析。句意：虽然我们可能没有与生俱来的天赋，但我们可以通过努力工作来弥补。A. break up打碎；B.take up 拿起，开始从事；C.bring up提出；D. make up 弥补。根据上文we may not be born with a nature talent可知没有与生俱来的天赋，所以要通过努力工作来弥补。故选D项。