James took the magazines off the little table to make for the television. A. room B. area C. field D. position 题目和参考答案——青夏教育精英家教网—

Maggie was very glad that James was not a frequent visitor to the house. So far as the children were concerned, they had a mystery about him that stirred their imagination. He stirred Maggie’s anger, however, so that she often said to her husband, “It’s mercy that brother of yours doesn’t come oftener.”

In fact James came once a year, unexpectedly, around eight o’clock in the evening, and he stayed for six hours of close discussion with his brother. His arrival was a signal to the children that their bedtime would be delayed. Not that he ever spoke to them or played with them. He took no notice of them, as if he was unable to see children, at least until the time came for him to go. Instead, after his first greeting and a careless kiss, James took no notice of Maggie either, except to add, “You’ll be getting on with the supper, Maggie.” Such was his regard for her.

Maggie paid him back in her own way. She kept the children up, the four of them, to keep her company, she said, but of course they sang and made a noise and broke the endless sound of James’s voice. Very late, they dropped off to sleep in their chairs. Then, when James was about to go, Maggie woke them up and so more or less forced him to part with four shillings before he left. That gave her some satisfaction, for James, though rich, was mean. He always went home by the last train, just after two o’clock.

Maggie’s children secretly stared at their uncle. They could not forget that he had, in their mother’s words, “lost two wives and taken a third, ” They wondered about those two unfortunate lost ladies. They asked each other what their fate had been, and if neither could ever be found again. James never brought his third wife with him nor ever mentioned her. The children decided that he must be so frightened of losing her that he never allowed her outside the door.

The underlined word “mercy” in the text most probably means _______.

A. loss B. wonder

C. lucky thing D. terrible thing

Maggie never prepared anything special for James because _______.

A. he was a man difficult to please

B. she never knew when he was coming

C. she was too busy looking after her children

D. he never stayed long enough for a meal

What do we know about James’ behavior?

A. He was a kind man, with love for the family.

B. He was generous, especially towards his brother.

C. He was anxious to please the family, especially the kids.

D. He was rude to his sister-in-law.

Maggie felt pleased when _______.

A. she paid James the money that she owed him

B. James gave some money to the children

C. she had to wake James up to catch his train

D. James thanked her for the nice supper

The children did not realize that two of James’ wives _______.

A. had been dead B. suffered from loss of memory

C. had run away from him D. might appear again one day

I live in a big city. It’s noisy and dirty and I got very 36 .At the weekends I like to leave the city and get some 37 air and a good rest. A few weeks ago I decided to go to see my 38 . I was really looking forward to it.
My parents live a long way 39 . I went to see them with James, a friend, and we drove on Friday night. In the middle of the 40 it began to rain. The road became very 41 and it was difficult to drive. We arrived home just after midnight, feeling very 42 . The next 43 it was still raining. James took his 44 to a garage which was very good.
In the afternoon the 45 improved, we wanted to go for a 46 . My parents lent us their car. That was no good. Their car didn’t 47 . We rang up the garage. “Oh,” They said, “Your car 48 be ready till tomorrow.” So it wasn’t 49 to go for a drive. We decided to play a word game. When we didn’t agree 50 a word we looked for a dictionary. It wasn’t there. 51 my mother remembered, “I lent it to your sister. She took it with her when she left.” The word game wasn’t any good 52 a dictionary.
On Sunday my mother dropped a heavy box on her 53 and we had to hire a 54 to take her to hospital. When James and I drove back we got stuck in a car accident. Next time I want a rest, I’ll stay 55 .

Maggie was very glad that James was not a frequent visitor to the house. So far as the children were concerned, they had a mystery about him that stirred their imagination. He stirred Maggie’s anger, however, so that she often said to her husband, “It’s mercy that brother of yours doesn’t come oftener.”

In fact James came once a year, unexpectedly, around eight o’clock in the evening, and he stayed for six hours of close discussion with his brother. His arrival was a signal to the children that their bedtime would be delayed. Not that he ever spoke to them or played with them. He took no notice of them, as if he was unable to see children, at least until the time came for him to go. Instead, after his first greeting and a careless kiss, James took no notice of Maggie either, except to add, “You’ll be getting on with the supper, Maggie.” Such was his regard for her.

Maggie paid him back in her own way. She kept the children up, the four of them, to keep her company, she said, but of course they sang and made a noise and broke the endless sound of James’s voice. Very late, they dropped off to sleep in their chairs. Then, when James was about to go, Maggie woke them up and so more or less forced him to part with four shillings before he left. That gave her some satisfaction, for James, though rich, was mean. He always went home by the last train, just after two o’clock.

Maggie’s children secretly stared at their uncle. They could not forget that he had, in their mother’s words, “lost two wives and taken a third, ” They wondered about those two unfortunate lost ladies. They asked each other what their fate had been, and if neither could ever be found again. James never brought his third wife with him nor ever mentioned her. The children decided that he must be so frightened of losing her that he never allowed her outside the door.

1.The underlined word “mercy” in the text most probably means _______.

A. loss B. wonder C. lucky thing D. terrible thing

2. Maggie never prepared anything special for James because _______.