阅读理解

　　Tom, Mike and Jack once lost their way in a forest. They came to a farmer's house and asked if they could stay in the house for the night.

　　“Sure,”the farmer said“but I have room for only two of you in the house. The other one will have to sleep in the barn（马厩）, with the animals. I'm afraid the smell is very bad out there.”

　　“I'll sleep in the barn,”Tom said.

　　But half an hour later a knock was heard on the house door, and there stood Tom, “I can't take the smell.”

　　“All right,” said Mike“I'll sleep in the barn.” So he went off to the barn.

　　In a while there was another knock on the door, “I can't take the smell, either.”

　　“You two fools,” said Jack“I'll sleep in the barn.”

　　Thirty minutes later came another knock. When they opened the door, they saw all the animals from the barn.

1．What did they do when they found they had lost their way?

[　　]

A．They stopped to have a good rest.

B．They came to a house and begged to be put up for the night.

C．They decided to help the farmer take care of his animals.

D．They made up their minds to get out of the forest before dawn.

2．What did the farmer do?

[　　]

A．He was too frightened to open the door.

B．He told them how to get out of the forest.

C．He promised to put them up for the night.

D．He went to his friend's to make room for them.

3．One of the boys had to sleep in the barn because ________

[　　]

A．he was very dirty.

B．he made a loud noise when he slept.

C．there wasn't enough room in the house.

D．there was only one room in the house.

4．Who was the first to go to the barn to sleep?

[　　]

5．All the animals were at the door because ________.

[　　]

A．the farmer drove them out.

B．they wanted to go into the warm house.

C．Tom and Mike led them out.

D．Jack drove them out.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit (追寻) of the dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral（葬礼） is Wednesday.” Memories flashed（闪现）through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

“Jack, did you hear me?”

“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. it’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.

“Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce (回忆) about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it, ” Mom told him.

“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.

“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence (影响) in your life,” she said.

“He’s the one who taught me carpentry. I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things that he thought were important. Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral.” Jack said.

Busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time, which was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture … Jack stopped suddenly.

“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.

“The box is gone,” he said.

“What box?” Mom asked.

“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most’,” Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

“Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said sadly.

Returning to his office the next day, he found a package on his desk. The return address caught his attention.

“Mr. Harold Belser” it read.

Jack tore （撕）open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope（信封）. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside,

“Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bernett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, and tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the fine cover, he opened it.

Inside he found these words carved: “Jack. Thanks for your time! Harold Belser.”

“Oh. My God! This is the thing he valued most …”

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his assistant and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” his assistant asked.

“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.

56. Why did Belser send Jack his gold watch?

　 A. Because he had no children or relatives.

　 B. Because he was grateful for Jack’s time with him.

　 C. Because he thought he had to keep his word.

　 D. Because Jack had always wanted it during his childhood.

57. Why did Jack say he needed some time to spend with his son?

　 A. He was very tired of his work and wanted to have a good rest.

　 B. He had promised to spare more time to stay with his son.

　 C. He had missed his son and his family for days.

　 D. He came to realize the importance of the time with his family.

58. Why did Jack think Mr. Belser died years ago?

　 A. College and career prevented him from remembering Mr. Belser.

　 B. Jack was too busy with his business and family to think about Mr. Belser.

　 C. Jack was too busy realizing his dreams to think about Mr. Belser.

　 D. His present busy life washed away his children memories.

59. Jack’s mother told him on the phone about Mr. Belser EXCEPT that _________.

　 A. Mr. Belser often asked how Jack was doing

　 B. Mr. Belser’s funeral would take place on Wednesday

　 C. Mr. Belser had asked for Jack’s mailing address

　 D. Mr. Belser had pleasant memories of their time together

60. Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?

　 A. The Good Old Times　　　　　　　　　

B. The Lost Childhood Days

　 C. An Old Gold Watch　　　　　　　　　　

D. What He Valued Most

A lot of us lose life's tougher battles by starting a frontal(正面的)attack-when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who hit a traffic jam on his way to work shortly after receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒)about being late on the job. Although there was a good reason for Sam's being late-serious illness at home-he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn't work any longer. His supervisor was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal speech. Yes, the boss was, as Sam entered the office at9:35. The place was as quiet as a locker room(更衣室);everyone was hard at work. Sam's supervisor came up to him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin and stretched out his hand. "How do you do!" he said. "I'm Sam Maynard. I'm applying for a job. Which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?"

　　The room exploded in laughter. The supervisor clamped off a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had saved his job-with the only tool that could win, a laugh.

　　Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected(忽略), means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying "no," criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it's the only tool that can succeed. It is away to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialogue may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians(喜剧演员)on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance(忍受力)than people in any other forum.

1.WhywasSamlateforhisjob?

　A. Because he was ill.　　 B. Because he got up late.

C. Because he was caught in a traffic jam. 　 D. He was busy applying for a new job.

2.The main idea of this passage is ____.

　A. Sam Maynard saved his job with humor 　 B. humor is important in our lives

　C. early bird gets the worm 　　　　 D. humor can solve racial discriminations.

3.The phrase "clamped off" n paragraph 3 means____.

　A. tried to hold back　 B. tried to set　 C. charged　 D. gave out

4.Which of the following statements can we infer from the passage?

A. Many lose life's battles because they are lacking in a sense of humor.

B. It wasn't the first time that Sam came late for work.

C. Sam was supposed to arrive at his office at8:30.

D. Humor is the most effective way of solving problems