—Did you hea the loud thunder last night?

—Yes, it was at about twelve o'clock _____ I was awoken up and I felt a little frightened．

　　　 A．that　　 　　　　　　　 B．before　　　 　　　 C．until　　　　 　　　 D．when

It was lunchtime and I walked into a small branch bank on the West Side. I had come to   1  a checking account. The only officer on   2  was a fortyish black man, standing   3  a small counter from a young white boy who was wearing a V-necked sweater. I thought I was especially   4  of the boy because he looked more like from a prep school than a   5  in a West Side bank.
The boy continued to   6  my attention because of what happened next. He was holding an open savings-account book and   7  an expression of disappointment. “But I don’t understand. I opened the account myself, so why can’t I   8  any money?” the boy said, his voice breaking.
“I know it is, but those are the rules. I’ve already explained to you that a fourteen-year-old is not   9  to withdraw money without a letter from his parents,” the officer explained patiently.
Suddenly I noticed the   10  had a series of small deposits (存款) and withdraws. Then I questioned the officer, “How do you   11  that? Why did you let him withdraw money before, but not now?” He looked   12 . “Because the tellers were not aware of his age before and now they are. It’s really very   13 .” I turned to the boy with a shrug. “You’re really getting   14 ,” I said. “You ought to get your parents to come here and protest.” The boy looked destroyed.   15 , he put his savings book in a rear-pocket and walked out of the bank.
The officer turned to me. “You know,” he said, “you really shouldn’t have got   16 .” I couldn’t believe what he was saying. “We were   17  this morning that some neighborhood bully has been shaking down (敲诈) this boy for more than a month. The guy was   18  him to take money out every week and hand it over. The poor kid was   19  too scared to tell anyone. Anyway, the police are on the case and they’ll probably make a(n)   20  today.”
“You mean there is no rule about being too young to withdraw money from a savings account?”
“Not that I ever heard of. Now, sir, what can we do for you?”

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, carrier, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit 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 is Wednesday.” Memories fleshed 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 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 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 open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. 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.

66. 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.

67. 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

68. Why did Belser send Jack his gold watch?

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

   B. Because he had no children or relatives.

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

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

69. 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.

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

   A. The Good Old Times                    B. What He Valued Most

   C. An Old Gold Watch                      D. The Lost Childhood Days

--- Alice looks sad. Did you tell her about her brother’s accident?
--- Sorry, I ________ her just before her final exams.

完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
Years ago, in a small fishing village in Holland, a young boy taught the world about the
rewards of unselfish service.
Because the entire village lived on fishing, a volunteer rescue team was needed in case of emergency. One night, the winds   31  , the clouds burst and a strong storm overturned a fishing boat at sea. The crew in trouble   32  the SOS. The captain of the rescue rowboat team   33  the alarm and the villagers   34  in the town square overlooking the sea. When the team started their rowboat fought their way through the wild waves, the villagers waited   35  on the beach, holding lamps to   36  the way back.
An hour later, the rescue boat reappeared through the fog and the   37  villagers ran to greet them. Falling   38  on the sand, the volunteers reported that the rescue boat could not hold any more   39   and they had to leave one man behind. Even one more passenger would have surely   40  the rescue boat and all would have been lost.
   41  , the captain called for another volunteer team to   42  the survivor. Sixteen
-year-old Hans stepped forward. His mother grabbed his arm, crying, "please don't go. Your father   43  in a shipwreck  (船只失事) 10 years ago and your elder brother, Paul, has been lost　　44  for three weeks. Hans, you are all I have left."
Hans replied, "Mother, I have to go.    45  everyone said I can't go, let someone else do it? Mother, this time I have to do my duty. When the call for service   46 , we all need to take our turn and do our part. Hans kissed his mother, joined the team and   47  into the night. "
Another hour passed, which seemed to Hans' mother like a century.    48   the rescue boat dashed through the fog with Hans standing up in the bow.    49  his hands, the captain called, "did you find the lost man?"    50  able to control himself, Hans excitedly cried back, "Yes, we found him. Tell my mother it's my elder brother, Paul!"
31. A. stilled                    B. screamed              C. stopped            D. calmed
32. A. set about          B. sent out         C. came up with   D. took over
33. A. sounded          B. set             C. took             D. made
34. A. gathered          B. followed         C. fought          D. struggled
35. A. nervously         B. angrily          C. fearfully        D. happily
36. A. hope              B. light            C. expect            D. try
37. A. promising         B. hoping          C. cheering           D. standing
38. A. uncomfortable     B. exhausted       C. disturbed             D. painful
39. A. villagers          B. sailors          C. captains            D. passengers
40. A. pushed           B. pulled          C. overturned          D. settled
41. A. Anxiously         B. Strangely        C. Unexpectedly      D. Doubtfully
42. A. look after         B. look for         C. lookout           D. look on
43. A. died              B. pulled          C. went               D. interrupted
44. A. in the fire         B. at sea           C. on strike          D. in the war
45. A. How about         B. What for        C. What if          D. What with
46. A. comes                    B. goes                     C. flies                     D. climbs
47. A. appeared          B. disappeared     C. came                 D. went
48. A. Therefore         B. Firstly          C. when              D. Finally
49. A. Making           B. Keeping         C. Showing              D. Cupping
50. A. Hardly                   B. Only                    C. Seldom                 D. Always