The business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out. Creditors (债主) were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy (破产).
Suddenly an old man appeared before him. “I can see that something is troubling you.” he said. After listening to the executive, the old man said: “I believe I can help you.”
He asked the man his name, wrote out a check, and pushed it into his hand saying: “Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time.” Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.
The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world!
“I can settle all my debts in a moment!” he realized. But instead, the executive decided to put the uncashed check in his safe, just knowing it would give him the strength to work out a way to save his business.
With renewed optimism, he made better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big deals. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed check. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
“I’m so glad I caught him!” she cried. “I hope he hasn’t been bothering you. He’s always escaping from the rest home and telling people he’s John D. Rockefeller.” And she led the old man away by the arm.
1.What was the executive worried about?
A. He couldn’t produce enough for the suppliers.
B. The creditors wouldn’t lend him any money.
C. His products didn’t sell well.
D. He might run into bankcruptcy.
2.Which of the following statements about the old man is TRUE?
A. The old man had known the executive was in trouble before he came.
B. The old man’s way of helping the executive worked out well.
C. The check he wrote was far from enough for the executive.
D. In fact the old man didn’t want to have his money back.
3.The executive didn’t cash the check because ____________.
A. He was afraid that the bank didn’t have so much money.
B. The check gave him a lot of strength and encouragement.
C. He was uncertain if he could ever pay back the money.
D. He knew the old man wasn’t John D. Rockefeller at all.
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Before dinner my wife wanted me to go to the store to get some soft drinks. It seemed that this would be a good time to let my teenage daughter Holly get a little driving 36 . I drove her to the store and 37 my car with her, and then I came back home with my son. He spoke 38 of the car. I was a little proud, for it was the nicest car I had 39 owned. 40 , I said, “Guy, my heart is not 41 that car. I like it but it is just metal. It won’t last forever. Never set your heart on anything that is 42 .”
It was at that moment 43 I heard a noise on our street. My son went out and then he shouted, “Dad! Holly damaged your car.”
My heart 44 and my mind was flooded with conflicting thoughts. Was 45 hurt? Who else was involved? As I ran to the door, I heard a voice in my heart say: “ Here is a 46 to show Holly what you really love. She will never forget it.” Holly was not hurt 47 , but when I reached her, she was crying and saying over and over again, “Oh, Dad, I’m sorry. I know how much you love this car.” I held her in my arms.
Later that week a friend asked what happened to my car. I told her the whole 48 . Then she said, “That happened to me when I was a girl. After I 49 my Dad’s car, my father, 50 , knocked me to the ground and began to kick me.” Over forty years later she still felt the 51 . It was a deep wound on her soul.
I have repaired my car, but there are 52 some scratches (划痕) on it. Every day they 53 me of the really priceless things in my life. Every day it reminds me of what really 54 in my life. One day, when Holly thinks back on her life, I want her to know that I love her a thousand times more than any piece of 55 .
1.A. practice B. exercise C. training D. lesson
2.A. gave B. left C. kept D. got
3.A. admiringly B. proudly C. deeply D. curiously
4.A. just B. already C. even D. ever
5.A. Therefore B. However C. Otherwise D. Besides
6.A. set up B. set aside C. set on D. set down
7.A. temporary B. metal C. nice D. contemporary
8.A. when B. as C. that D. until
9.A. struck B. sank C. beat D. ached
10.A. anyone B. someone C. my car D. my son
11.A. chance B. time C. turn D. lesson
12.A. mentally B. physically C. lightly D. painfully
13.A. story B. truth C. explanation D. process
14.A. borrowed B. drove C. used D. ruined
15.A. nevertheless B. moreover C. or rather D. on the contrary
16.A. guilt B. pain C. embarrassment D. terror
17.A. still B. yet C. just D. only
18.A. remember B. remind C. warn D. inform
19.A. values B. happens C. cares D. matters
20.A. property B. equipment C. treasure D. fortune
Our strong sympathy for the people in the earthquake-stricken area is ________ in the ceremony.
A. reacted B. reflected C. responded D. recovered
—Is there any possibility of Jack ________chairman at the conference?
—Not in the least because audience generally think little of him
A. to elect B. electing C. to be elected D. being elected
After all the harm she has done, she ________ whatever she gets.
A. costs B. deserves C. rewards D. pays
He will have learned English for eight years by the time he________ from the university next year.
A. will graduate B. will have graduated C. graduates D. is to graduate
