It was a bitter, cold evening in northern Virginia many years ago. The old man was waiting for a ride across the 36 . The wait seemed 37 .
At last he heard the slight, steady rhythm of approaching hooves (马蹄) coming along the frozen path. Anxiously, he 38 as several horsemen came around the bend (转角处). He let the first one 39 . Then another, and another. Finally, as the 40 rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow statue, the old man 41 the rider’s eye and said, “Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn’t appear to be a passage way by 42 .”
The rider replied, “Sure.” Seeing the old man was unable to 43 his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman got down and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old man not just across the river, but to his destination.
As they neared the tiny but cozy (舒适的) cottage, the horseman’s 44 caused him to ask, “Sir, I notice that you let several other riders go by without making a(n) 45 to get a ride. Then I came up and you 46 asked me for a ride. I’m curious why, on such a bitter winter night, you would wait and ask the last rider. 47 I had refused and left you there?”
The old man replied, “I’ve been 48 here for some time. I think I know people pretty good.” He continued, “I looked into the eyes of the other riders and immediately saw there was no 49 for my situation. But when I looked into your eyes, 50 was evident. I knew, 51 , that your gentle spirit would 52 the opportunity to give me help in my time of 53 .”
Those heartwarming comments 54 the horseman deeply.
“I’m most grateful for what you have said,” he told the old man. “May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I 55 to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.”
With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his way back to the White House.
36. A. town B. river C. country D. island
37. A. meaningless B. useless C. careless D. endless
38. A. watched B. asked C. waved D. approached
39. A. come over B. get off C. pass by D. take off
40. A. coming B. leaving C. next D. last
41. A. missed B. caught C. avoided D. saw
42. A. bus B. car C. foot D. horse
43. A. feel B. push C. lift D. stand
44. A. honesty B. courage C. enthusiasm D. curiosity
45. A. choice B. stop C. effort D. scene
46. A. immediately B. hurriedly C. friendly D. strangely
47. A. What about B. What if C. How come D. If only
48. A. in B. out C. around D. beyond
49. A. concern B. doubt C. chance D. reason
50. A. meaning B. kindness C. seriousness D. help
51. A. then and there B. for a moment
C. all of a sudden D. sooner or later
52. A. offer B. create C. find D. welcome
53. A. need B. danger C. fortune D. happiness
54. A. influenced B. excited C. touched D. hit
55. A. happen B. try C. disagree D. fail
35. - Why not have a new machine designed?
-__________. I’ll have someone do it soon.
A. I don’t think so B. I’m not sure
C. It’s up to you D. Sounds like a good idea
34. The newcomers found if impossible to _______themselves to the climate sufficiently to make permanent homes in the new country.
A. suit B. adapt C. fit D. match
33. _____no point in beating around the bush. Let’s ________.
A. It’s ; come straight to the point B. There’s; come to the point
C. This is; get to the point D. That is; reach the point
32. The bell________ the end of the period rang, __________our heated discussion.
A. indicating; interrupting B. indicated; interrupting
C. indicating; interrupted D. indicated; interrupted
31. _________is known to us all is that the old writer, for __________ life was hard in the past, still works very hard in his eighties.
A. What; whom B. As; whom C. It; whose D. What; whose