A butcher watching over his shop was really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He went over to the dog and noticed it had a note in its mouth. He took the note and it read “Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well.”
The butcher looked carefully and was surprised to find that there was really a ten-dollar note there. So he took the money and put the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog’s mouth. The butcher was so impressed, and since it was about closing time, he decided to shut up shop and follow the dog.
So off he went. He followed the dog to a bus stop. The dog stopped and started looking at the timetable. The dog checked out the time, and then sat on one of the seats provided. Along came a bus. The dog walked around to the front, looked at the number, and went back to its seat. Another bus came. Again the dog went around to the front, looked at the number and climbed on. The butcher, by now, open-mouthed, followed it onto the bus.
The bus traveled through the town and out into the suburbs. Eventually the dog got up, and moved to the front of the bus. It stood on two back paws and pushed the button to stop the bus. Then it got off with groceries still in its mouth.
Well, the dog and the butcher were walking along the road, and then the dog turned into a house. It walked up the path, and dropped the groceries on the step. Then it walked back down the path, took a big run, and threw itself against the door. Then again, it threw himself against it. There’s no answer at the house. so the dog waited at the door.
The butcher watched as a big guy opened the door, and started shouting at it. The butcher ran up, and stopped the guy. “Why do you shout at the dog? It is really a genius.” The guy responded, “You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog’s forgotten its key.”
1.Which may be the best title of the passage?
A. A clever dog. B. A curious butcher.
C. A cruel owner. D. A second lost key.
2.Why was the butcher surprised when he saw the dog?
A. Because there was a note in the dog’s mouth.
B. Because a dog was not supposed to come into his shop alone.
C. Because the dog was not afraid of being butchered.
D. Because the dog could read.
3.The passage implies that _________.
A. dogs are cleverer than man
B. dogs are our best friend
C. the butcher is a cruel person
D. some people are never satisfied with what they have got
4.The dog threw itself against the door, because _________.
A. it wanted to force the door open
B. it wanted its owner to open the door
C. it wanted to punish itself for forgetting the key
D. it wanted to get the butcher’s help
5.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The butcher was curious so he followed the dog.
B. The dog didn’t get on the first bus because it was the wrong number.
C. To get off the bus, you should let the driver know by pressing the button.
D. The dog would be driven away by the big guy.
In this modern world, we rush around all day, doing things, talking, emailing, sending and reading messages. We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking. There is no ___31___ for stillness.
And when we are ___32 ___to be still because we’re in line for something, or waiting at a doctor’s appointment, or on a bus or train, we often ___33 ___something to do. Some will play with mobile devices, others will read something. Being still isn’t something we’re ___34 ___.
This comes at a ___ 35___: we lose that time for ___ 36___, for observing and listening. We lose peace.
And ___37___ yet: sometimes too much action is worse than no action at all. You can run around crazily, but get ___ 38___done.
Take a moment to think about ___39___ you spend your days. Are you constantly rushing around? Are you constantly reading and answering ___40 ___, checking on the news and the latest stream of information? Are you always ___41___through your schedule?
Is this how you want to spend your ___42___? If so, peace be with you. If not, take a moment to be ___43___. Don’t think about what you have to do, or what you’ve done already. ___44___be in the moment.
Then after a minute or two of doing that, consider your life, and how you’d ___45___ it to be. See your life with less movement, less doing, less rushing. See it with more stillness, more consideration, more ___46___.
Then be that vision.
It’s pretty simple: all you have to do is sit still for a little bit each day. ___47___you’ve gotten used to that, try doing less each day. Breathe when you feel yourself moving too___48___. Slow down. Be present. Find happiness now, in this moment, instead of ___49___ for it.
___50 ___ the stillness. It’s a treasure, and it’s available to us, always.
1.A. place B. chance C. freedom D. time
2.A. forced B. ordered C. invited D. told
3.A. have B. find C. buy D. get
4.A. familiar with B. curious about C. used to D. interested in
5.A. cost B. risk C. loss D. danger
6.A. play B. food C. sleep D. consideration
7.A. further B. worse C. farther D. deeper
8.A. everything B. anything C. nothing D. something
9.A. how B. where C. why D. whether
10.A. questions B. problems C. phones D. messages
11.A. walking B. rushing C. stepping D. going
12.A. school B. youth C. work D. life
13.A. silent B. patient C. still D. quiet
14.A. Nearly B. Ever C. Just D. Already
15.A. like B. decide C. choose D. need
16.A. activity B. research C. study D. peace
17.A. Because B. Until C. Once D. Unless
18.A. frequently B. slowly C. fast D. quickly
19.A. asking B. sending C. calling D. waiting
20.A. Value B. Miss C. Owe D. Hold
—Jack, could I use your laptop for a while?
—___________. Go ahead, please.
A. With pleasure B. No way C. By all means D. Come on
I paid a fine of 200yuan for speeding. If only I _________ the traffic rules!
A. had respected B. respected
C. would have respected D. could respect
—I did not give offence to you ___________.
—Forget it. Let’s make up.
A. accidentally B. casually C. occasionally D. deliberately
I think he is taking an active part in social work. I agree with you ___________.
A. in a way B. on the way C. by the way D. in the way
