"I wish Central Bank would be robbed," George Pickens said to himself. He had been making this
wish daily from the time he had started work as a teller (银行柜员) at the bank.
     All over the country banks were being robbed, George thought sourly. Why not this bank? Were
robbers scornful of its four-million-dollar capital?Were they afraid of Mr. Ackerman, the old bank guard, who hadn't pulled out his gun in twenty-two years?
     Of course, George had a reason for wanting the bank to be robbed. After all, he couldn't simply take
the thick bundles of bills that were under his hands all day long. So he had thought of another way to get
them. His plan was simple. It went like this:
      If Bank Robber A holds up Bank Teller B…
      And if Bank Teller B gives Bank Robber A a certain amount of money…
     What is to prevent Bank Teller B from keeping all the money left and claiming that it was stolen by
Bank Robber A?There was only one problem. Where was Bank Robber A?
     One morning George entered the bank feeling something was about to happen. "Good morning, Mr.
Burrows." he said cheerfully. The bank president muttered something and went into his office.
     At two o'clock Bank Robber A walked in. George knew he was a bank robber. For one thing, he
slipped in. For another, he wore a mask.
     "This is a holdup." the man said roughly. He took a pistol from his pocket. The guard made a small
sound. "You," the bank robber said, "lie down on the floor." Mr. Ackerman lay down. The robber
stepped over to George's cage.
     "All right." he said. "Hand it over."
     "Yes, sir." said George. "Would you like it in ten-or-twenty-dollar bills?"
     "Just hand it over!"
     George reached into his cashbox and took all the bills from the top section-close to six thousand
dollars. He passed them through the window. The robber snatched them, stuffed them into his pocket,
and turned to leave.
     Then, while everyone watched Bank Robber A, Bank Teller B calmly lifted off the top section of the
cashbox and slipped bills from the bottom section into his pockets.
     The bank robber was gone. George fainted. When he woke he smiled up at the worried faces looking down at him. "I'm all right." he said bravely.
      "Perhaps you should go home, George." Mr. Bell, the chief auditor, said.
     As soon as he was safely behind his bedroom door, George took the money from his pockets and
counted it. He had seven thousand dollars. He was very happy.
     The next morning when George arrived at the bank, it was not open for business. But everyone was
there, helping to examine the bank's records for the special audit (审计师) Mr. Bell was taking.
     George was called into Mr. Burrows' office. The bank president seemed strangely cheerful. "George,"
he said, "I want you to meet Mr. Carruthers, who used to be president of our bank."
     "Good morning, George." said Mr. Carruthers. "I was sorry to hear you fainted yesterday. Are you all
right now?"
     "Yes, sir. Just fine, thanks."
     "I'm glad to hear it. That was quite an adventure. It just goes to show how easy it is to rob our bank."
     "Sir?"said George, confused.?
     "George, I was sorry to give you a hard time yesterday, but with all the banks being robbed these
days I thought it would be a good idea to prove that our little bank can be robbed too.     That's why I
played my little game yesterday, just to keep everybody on his toes."
"I don't understand." said George. "What game?"
     The old man laughed and whipped out a mask. He placed it over his face and said, "All right. Hand it
over!" Mr. Burrows laughed but George did not.
     "And the money?" George asked in a small voice.
     "Don't worry." Mr. Carruthers said. "I put it all back in your cashbox, all six thousand. We're just
finishing up the audit now." George turned cold with fear.
     Behind them, the door opened and Mr. Bell, the chief auditor, put his head into the room. "Mr.
Burrows," he said gravely, "may I see you a moment?"

1. George Pickens wished for a robbery because it would ___ .

A. help him take money without being caught    
B. make him look like a hero 
C. show that Central Bank was important
D. he will be praised by the bank president

2. Which of the following is suitable for the     ?

A. I am old but I am strong.    
B. I have retired, but I haven't stopping thinking.
C. It's only a small trick.      
D. It's a coincidence.

3. George fainted after the bank robber was gone because ____.

A. he was terrified                
B. he had a heart attack.
C. he had to pretend he was terrified  
D. he was too excited

4. Why didn't George laugh at the end of the story?

A. He turned pale and fainted again.  
B. He knew that his stealing would be discovered.
C. Mr. Bell had discovered that 6,000 dollars was missing.
D. He would be laid off even be sent to prison.

5. What can we conclude from this story? 

A. Interest is the best teacher.  
B. Honesty is the best policy.
C. All roads lead to Rome.      
D. Greed leads to crime.

     One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone
from the humblest(卑微的) to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed an empty chair next to an
elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.
      We cautiously began a conversation and spoke about a wide rang of things. We never introduced
ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So
as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee, I asked,
     "My I get you something?"
     "A coffee would be nice."
     Then I bought him a cup of coffee, we talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee. Finally, I
rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit. At the door I met one of my friends. He asked,
      "How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath?"
      "Who?"
      "The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs."
       I  could hardly believe it. I was buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the
world's richest and most powerful men!
       My few minutes with Mr. Galbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with
respect, no matter who I think they are, and no matter another human being with kindness and sincerity.

1. What does the underlined word "disheveled" mean?

A. Unfriendly.        
B. Kind.        
C. Elegant.        
D. Untidy.

2. The author bought coffee for the old man because  _____. 

A. he wanted to start a conversation
B. he thought the old man was poor
C. he intended to show his politeness
D. he would like to thank the old man

3. How did the author probably feel after he talked with his friend? 

A. Surprised.        
B. Pitiful.        
C. Proud.          
D. Regretful.

4. What is the message mainly expressed in the story?  

A. We should learn to be generous.  
B. It is honorable to help those in need.
C. We should avoid judging people by their appearances.
D. People in high positions are not like what we expect.