old family had. He then had some trouble with the bank and was put in prison. He escaped from the prison
and ran to Australia without delay.
Hilary did not like Australia, and Australia did not like Hilary. What he could do seemed to be one of two
things: die or work. Then he remembered that he was not alone in the world. He had an aunt.
She was his father"s only sister, but his father used to say she brought no glory to the family. Hilary, of
course, tried to discover what she had done. It seemed that she had failed to marry a nobleman. Instead, she
had chosen a husband who was connected with:"trade". Of course as soon as she became "Mrs. Parks", her
brother considered her dead. Later on, Mr. Parks died and left her a lot of money; but that did not bring her
back to life in her brother"s opinion.
Hilary discovered his aunt"s address. Fortunately she remained faithful and honest to him even after she
fell ill. So Hilary"s star shone again, and soon he moved into her house and lived as comfortably as a sailor
who had just reached harbour. He had only about a sixpence in his pocket.
One thing was soon clear: his aunt was seriously ill, and nothing could cure her illness. Hilary was very
worried. Fate had found a home for him, and was now going to throw him out of it. There was only one
thing that could save him: her will.
"Will?" she said, "yes, I have made one. That was when I was a girl and had not much money. I left all
my money to some religious people."
"Didn"t you make another will when you were married?" Hilary asked.
His aunt shook her head. "No," she said in a low voice, "There was no need. When I finally had a lot of
money I found I had no relations."
On the next day he went to the public library and examined a book of law. It told him what he already
believed. When a woman is married, an earlier will loses its value. A new will must be made. If no new will
is made, the money goes to the nearest relation. Hilary knew that he was his aunt"s only relation. His future
was safe.
After a few months had passed, Hilary"s problems became serious. He badly needed money. He had
expensive tastes, and owed a lot of money to shopkeepers. They trusted him because his aunt was rich; but
the debt was terrible.
Unfortunately his aunt did not want to discuss money matters at all. In the end they had a quarrel about
the small amount of ten pounds. Hilary was not very angry. He. began to wonder about a new problem. Was
it kind to want his aunt to live any longer? Was it not better for her to die now? While he was considering
what to do, his aunt told him that she was going to send for her lawyer. So she was going to make a new
will, Hilary thought. She might leave all her money to someone else. Soon he reached a clear decision. He
must do a great kindness to the poor old woman.
One night when the old servant who had been nursing his aunt went off, he doubled the amount of some
medicine. The total amount was too great and it could just put her to sleep forever.
"Thank you," his aunt took the glass from his hand with a grateful look. "I want, more than anything, to
sleep, and never to wake up again. Is that what you wish, Hilary? Don"t blame me if I have some doubts
about what you intended to do. Sick people get these ideas, you know. One thing I ought to explain to you.
Mr. Parks never married me. He already had a wife and couldn"t marry again. That made your foolish father
very angry with me... Well, if I am alive tomorrow I shall make another will in your favour. If I die tonight,
you"ll get nothing... No, Hilary, don"t try to take the glass away. If you do that, I shall know, and i don"t want
to know. Goodnight, Hilary."
Then, very carefully, she raised the glass to her mouth and drank.
B. kind-hearted and wise
C. careless about money
D. cruel to her niece
B. Because she married a businessman with a wife against his will.
C. Because she broke away from the family for a better life.
D. Because he thought she was a shame to the family.
Hilary Smith _____.
B. decided to do his aunt a favor to call in a lawyer
C. made up his mind to take good care of his aunt
D. would help his aunt to donate all her money to religious people
B. Hilary Smith"s debts.
C. The intended murder.
D. Hilary"s aunt"s marriage.
B. the money will go to Hilary after his aunt dies without a new will
C. Hilary"s aunt must leave the money to the religious people after she dies
D. Hilary must look after his aunt till her death because he is the only relation
B. Hilary quarreled with is aunt about ten pounds.
C. Hilary"s aunt drank the medicine her nephew prepared for her.
D. Hilary"s aunt made a will to leave all her money to someone else.
( )2. He who loses freedom loses all.
( )3. Misfortune tests true friendship.
( )4. Union gives strength.
( )5. Precious things are for those that can prize them
A
A wolf was almost dead with hunger. A housedog saw him, and asked, "Friend, your irregular life will
soon ruin you." "Why don"t you work steadily as I do, and get your food regularly?" "I would have no
objection," said the wolf, "if I could only get a place." "I will help you," said the dog. "Come with me to my
master, and you shall share my work." So the wolf and the dog went to the town together. On the way the
wolf saw that there was no hair around the dog"s neck. He felt quite surprised, and asked him why it was
like that? "Oh, it is nothing," said the dog. "Every night my master puts a collar around my neck and chains
me up. You will soon get used to it." "Is that the only reason?" said the wolf. "Then good-bye to you, my
friend. I would rather be free."
B
Two men were traveling together, when a bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them climbed
up quickly into a tree and hid himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat
on the ground, and when the bear came up and felt him with his nose, and smelt him all over, he held his
breath, and pretended to be dead as much as he could. The bear soon left him, for he will not touch a dead
body. When he disappeared, the other traveler slid down from the tree, and asked his friend what it was the
bear had whispered in his ear. "He gave me this advice," his companion replied. "Never travel with a friend
who deserts you at the approach of danger."
C
A prince had some monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally good at learning, they showed themselves
most excellent pupils, and in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers. Their
performance was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on trick, took from
his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage. The monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot their
dancing and became (as indeed they were) monkeys instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing
their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing show thus came to an end in the laughter
and jokes of the audience.
D
A cock was once walking up and down the farmyard among the hens when suddenly he noticed something
shinning in the grass. "Ho! ho!" said he, "that"s for me," and soon rooted it out from beneath the grass. It
turned out to be but a pearl that by some chance had been lost in the yard. "You may be a treasure," sighed the
cock, "to man, but for me I would rather have a single corn."
E
Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up in anger, he caught him and
was about to kill him, when the Mouse pitifully begged, saying:"If you would only spare my life, I would be
sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It happened shortly after this that the Lion was
caught by some hunters, who tied him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came
up, and bit the rope with his teeth, and setting him free, exclaimed:"You joked the idea of my ever being able
to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor. But now you know that it is
possible for even a Mouse to grand benefits on a Lion."
F
An old man on the point of death had his sons aside to give them some parting advice. He ordered his
servants to bring in a bunch of sticks, and said to his eldest son:"Break it." The son strained and strained, but
with all his efforts was unable to break the Bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful
"Untie it," said the father, "and each of you take a stick." When they had done so, he called out to them:"Now,
break," and each stick was easily broken.
is eight years older and has already made it into "real world".
My sister bought me three wonderful gifts, 1 only one would capture (俘虏) my heart forever. First she
handed me the 2 . Because Amy is 3 with her actions, I knew this was her least favorite. It was a bottle
of perfume (香水). I was happy with it, yet 4 as to what lay ahead. Next she handed me a box. After 5
away the wrapping paper, I found a stylish (时髦的) and 6 sweater. I was deeply moved that my sister was
so generous (大方的). Then she handed me the 7 gift. Judging by me familiar size and 8 , I knew it was
a CD. It was the soundtrack to the movie "Rocky", with songs inspiring to all athletes dreamers. I 9 loved it,
but not as much as I would after what my sister explained to me.
She was 10 to a knee injury that 11 me half of my soccer season. I desired to be with my team-mates
and 12 each minute I sat on the bench. I tried hard, hoping my knee injury would become well soon. This
was what led my sister to buying that CD.
After mentioning what was behind the 13 , Amy played the CD for me. Even though I had heard those
songs a thousand times, each note 14 me as If it was new. It played in my soul and on my emotions. I 15
breathlessly, as the words "Trying hard now. It"s so hard now." sounded through the room. It touched me in
a way 16 me happiness most gifts could bring. I couldn"t 17 crying and hugged my sister. Knowing that my
sister had 18 my problem so deeply made me realize that I am the 19 little sister in the world. I had never
received a gift with so much 20 behind it! I"ll cherish (珍惜) it forever.
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| My "Daddy on Campus" It was my first day of high school, and I was late. My next class, Spanish, scared me. I just could not speak that 1 . As the bell rang, I ran to the classroom. At the door, a hand reached out and 2 mine firmly. I looked up. A man with large glasses smiled. He 3 himself as Profe, which means teacher in Spanish. 4 , his warm smile and 5 words eased(减轻) my fears. That year, I 6 his classes a great deal because I learned 7 just Spanish. I admit I only speak a little Spanish. 8 I try to live out the life lessons I learned from Profe. Every day Profe stood 9 his classroom before and after class to give his"hand hug". After school his room was always filled with students and he would 10 to and chat with them---- 11 those not in his class. He taught me that every person is 12 your time. One time, I was rejected(排挤)by my friends, Profe told me,"Lindita, life gives you 13 . But learning its lessons will turn those ashes to jewels." Therefore, I learned to look at my troubles 14 and not to fear any difficulty. In my senior year, I 15 president of one of the school"s clubs, so I was very 16 . Many times I didn"t even have time to buy lunch. He served me by giving me his food as well as advice. He 17 out what he taught us to do: 18 others. The author William Arther Ward 19 : "The mediocre(平庸的) teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates(示范). The great teacher 20 ." Thank you Profe, for inspiring me. | |||||||||||||||||||
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