He left the monastery and s_____________ lived as a hermit (隐居士) for six years.
1.The color scheme (方案) for this room was determined by an i_____________ decorator.
2.Hong Kong teenagers i_____________ some pop stars more than their own parents, according to a university survey.
3.It was reported that radiation had been found in d_____________ vegetables after the ministry in China ordered radiation tests on food and water at the end of March in 14 mainland regions.
4.Exports to China are an e_____________ part of the US economy because China is their third-largest export market and is growing faster than many other major destinations for American manufactured goods and farm products.
5.When dealing with the writing in SAT, sometimes students are in a dilemma whether they should just mention the merits of their own country or be more c_____________.
6.When you are wandering alongside the narrow streets with some traditional structures on both sides in Wuzhen, you can still p_____________ the cultural profundity (底蕴) of this entire ancient town..
7.It remains a crucial task for the Chinese government to g_____________ the public security in the coming period due to the country's fast-changing social structure.
8.Enjoying a wild climate and four d_____________ seasons, the environment of Luohe, a city in Henan Province is peaceful and elegant.
9.Funerals are becoming a financial burden for many families across the nation, as they seek to provide eternal s_____________ for their dearly departed loved ones.
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 of his 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 flashed through his mind like an old newsreel（纪录片） 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 they 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 Bennett. 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.
1.Why did Jack think Mr. Belser died years ago?
A. College and career prevented him from remembering Mr. Bleser.
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 childhood memories.
2.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
3.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.
4.Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A. The Good Old Times B. What He Valued Most
C. My lost friend D. The Lost Childhood Days
This problem may lead to more serious ones if ________ unsolved.
A. left B. making C. remained D. keeping
We insisted that the girl ________ qualified for the job, but the manager insisted that she ________ the job because of her shyness as a receptionist.
A. should be; was offered B. was not; should be offered
C. was; not be offered D. should not be; was not offered
________ that all mountain roads were closed.
A. So became the dangerous weather B. So dangerous did the weather become
C. So dangerous became the weather D. Dangerous the weather became so
Which of the following proverbs suits the gist of the story By heart best?
A. Look before your leap. B. Speech is silver, but silence is golden.
C. He laughs best, who laughs last. D. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
