A ship was broken during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it swam to a small island. Not knowing what else to do, the two survivors decided that they should pray to God.

However, to find out whose prayers (祈祷) were more powerful, they agreed to divide the land between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a tree on his side of the island, and he was able to eat its fruit. But the other man's side of land was still barren.

After a week, the first man became lonely and decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was broken and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the island. But on the other side of the island there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these things were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship so that he and his wife could leave the island, and in the morning he found a ship stopped at his side of the island.

The first man got on the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven, "Why are you leaving your friend on the island?"

"My blessings are mine alone since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered so he doesn't deserve (应得) anything."

"You are mistaken!" the voice said. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. He prayed that all your prayers would be answered."

1.Why didn't the two men stay together on the island?

A.Because they both wanted to live a quiet life.

B.Because they couldn't get along well with each other.

C.Because they wanted to test the power of their prayers.

D.Because they wanted to keep their own life secret from others.

2.The underlined word "barren" is closest in meaning to ________.

A.noisy B.empty C.dangerous D.absent

3.Which of the following words can best describe the first man?

A.Hardworking. B.Lucky. C.Selfish. D.Dishonest.

4.What does the author try to express through the story?

A.God helps those who help themselves.

B.A life without a friend is life without a sun.

C.A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.

D.What we do for others is more important than what we do for ourselves.

Photographer Zhang Zhongzeng has taken a series of photos showing people's lives around 40 years ago in Beijing. Born in 1957, Zhang has witnessed (目睹) China's changes since the reform and opening-up period began in 1978.

Playing with birds

Date: 1983

Location: Deshengmen

During the 1980s, there were many elderly men who loved playing with birds. In the early morning, you could always see them holding bird cages, walking in the park or hutongs, on the road or under a tree. The hobby of playing with birds became popular during the Tang Dynasty and reached its heyday during the Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty.

Now there are fewer Beijingers with birds, as elderly citizens' lives get richer and hutongs disappear from the city.

Carriages (马车) in the city

Date: 1989

Location: Hepingli

In the 1980s, the trolley bus (无轨电车) and bus ran across empty roads, while carriages carrying goods or vegetables kept pace. During that time, traffic in Beijing was quite smooth, and three—wheeled motor vehicles, walking tractors and auto trucks could make use of the streets. The most commonly seen transportation was the bicycles, with different brands (品牌), styles and functions.

Sugar—coated haws on a stick

Date: 1988

Location: Qian men Watchtower

Among well-known Beijing snacks, bingtanghulu (sugar - coated haws on a stick) is probably the most famous, a city trademark.

For children living in the 1980s in Beijing, when there were no Me Donald's or KFC's. bingtanghulu was their favorite snack. Now, for them a bite of bingtanghulu brings reminiscence and nostalgia (怀旧).

1.Why do fewer and fewer elderly citizens in Beijing play with birds?

A.Because there are fewer birds

B.Because they have richer lives.

C.Because they hate birds.

D.Because they are very busy.

2.What was the most popular transportation in 1989?

A.Motor vehicles. B.Walking tractors. C.Autotrucks. D.Bicycles.

3.What does the underlined word "reminiscence" mean in English?

A.Luck. B.Memories. C.Interest. D.Treasure.

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