It’s certain that the following tale is a nice example that can teach us a good lesson. One day, a young man  16 begged from door to door along the street.  17 an old wallet in hand, he was asking for a few coins to buy something to eat. He kept complaining about his bad  18  and kept wondering why those who had so much money were never   19  and were always desiring more.

“As for me, if I had only enough to eat and to wear, I would not want anything more."

Just at that moment Goddess Fortune  20 the beggar among the crowd and approached him, greeting, “Hi, young man, I have wished to   21  you for a long time. If you open your wallet, I will pour my gold into it. But keep in mind that I will do that only on this   22 : All that falls into the wallet will be pure gold belonging to you; but every piece falling upon the ground  23 become dust, worth nothing. Are you clear?”

“I see. Now I’m ready. ” said the beggar with confidence.

“Then you should   24 ! It’s obvious that your wallet is a/an   25 one, so don’t load it too heavily,” said the Goddess Fortune. 

The excited beggar could hardly   26 to have gold. He quickly opened his wallet, and a   27  of yellow coins was poured into it. The wallet became heavier and heavier.

“Is that enough? Isn’t it cracking? Will your wallet strong enough for more?” warned the Goddess.

“Never  28 .It’s still strong enough now” replied the beggar firmly.

The wallet was filled with so many coins that the beggar’s hands began to   29 . “Ah, if only the golden stream would   30  forever! Just a little more,” said the beggar, “  31  just a handful or two.”

“There! It’s full. The wallet will   32 .” warned the Goddess again, but the beggar insisted, “ I know it will  33  a little more, just a little more.”

One more piece was added and the wallet split. The   34  fell upon the ground and became dust. The greedy beggar had now   35  but his broken wallet.

1.

A.in debt

B.in rags

C.in danger

D.in trouble

 

2.

A.Picking

B.Gathering

C.Winning

D.Holding

 

3.

A.clothes

B.wallet

C.fortune

D.chance

 

4.

A.relaxed

B.disappointed

C.worried

D.satisfied

 

5.

A.admitted

B.seized

C.realized

D.spotted

 

6.

A.help

B.forgive

C.praise

D.comfort

 

7.

A.occasion

B.condition

C.situation

D.suggestion

 

8.

A.shall

B.would

C.should

D.might

 

9.

A.look down

B.look after

C.look up

D.look out

 

10.

A.small

B.worn

C.empty

D.full

 

11.

A.stand

B.think

C.breathe

D.wait

 

12.

A.stream

B.piece

C.pair

D.variety

 

13.

A.ask

B.request

C.insist

D.fear

 

14.

A.spread

B.shake

C.loose

D.close

 

15.

A.pour

B.end

C.dry

D.freeze

 

16.

A.take

B.lend

C.add

D.send

 

17.

A.flow

B.change

C.disappear

D.burst

 

18.

A.attract

B.hold

C.include

D.permit

 

19.

A.present

B.food

C.treasure

D.metal

 

20.

A.nothing

B.anything

C.everything

D.something

 

A thief entered the bedroom of the 30th President of the United States, who met him and helped him escape punishment.

The event happened in the early morning hours in one of the first days when Calvin Coolidge came into power, late in August, 1923. He and his family were living in the same third-floor suite(套房) at the Willard Hotel in Washington that had occupied several years before. The former President’s wife was still living in the White House.

Coolidge awoke to see a stranger go through his clothes, remove a wallet and a watch chain.

Coolidge spoke, “ I wish you wouldn’t take that.”

The thief, gaining his voice, said, “ Why?”

“ I don’t mean the watch and chain, only the charm(表坠). Take it near the window and read what is impressed on its back,” the president said.

The thief read, “ Presented to Calvin Coolidge.”

“ Are you President Coolidge?” he asked.

The president answered, “ Yes, and the House of Representatives(众议院)gave me the watch charm. I’m fond of it. It would do you no good. You want money. Let’s talk this over.”

Holding up the wallet, the young man said in a low voice, “ I’ll take this and leave everything else.”

Coolidge, knowing there was 80 dollars in it, persuaded the young man to sit down and talk. He told the President he and his college roommate had overspent during their holiday and did not have enough money to pay their hotel bill.

Coolidge added up the roommate and two rail tickets back to the college. Then he counted out 32 dollars and said it was a loan(借款).

He then told the young man, “ There is a guard in the corridor.” The young man nodded and left through the same window as he had entered.

1.What caused the thief to meet the President

A. He knew the president had lots of money.  B. He knew the president lived in the suite.

C. He wanted to be a rich businessman.      D. He wanted to steal some money.

2.Why did Calvin Coolidge live at the Willard Hotel in those days?

A. Because the former president was still in the White House.

B. Because the former First Lady hadn’t left the White House.

C. Because the First lady liked to live there.

D. Because he liked there.

3. Coolidge counted out 32 dollars______.

A. in order not to be killed by the thief

B. in order to be out of danger

C. so as to help the young student overcome his difficulty.

D. because he had no more money.

4.The young man’s roommate went back to college _____.

A. by air           B. by water         C. by bus           D. by train

5.Which of the following might happen afterwards?

A. The young man repaid the 32 dollars.

B. The thief was put into prison.

C. The President told many reporters the thief’s name.

D. The President ordered the young man to repay the money.

 

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