The hardworking blacksmith Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard-working was he that at times he would make the sparks (火星) fly from his hammer.
The son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith every day and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked.
“Young man, why don’t you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks (钉), even if it is only to pass the time?” said the blacksmith. “Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you.”
The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.
Old Mr. Smith died and the son on account of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and was forced to live in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money buying tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers’ shoes.
Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in the workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village.
“How funny it seems,” he used to say, “even making tacks can make money. My trade is more useful to me than all my former riches.”
1. The young man learnt to make shoe tacks because ________.
A. his father told him to B. he wanted to learn a skill
C. Jones encouraged him to D. he just wanted to pass his time
2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Old Mr. Smith enjoyed making the shoe tacks.
B. The blacksmith had predicted the young man would be in need of the skill.
C. The higher prices they paid, the more tacks the shoemakers would get.
D. The young man earned his living by his skills learnt when he was young.
3. What can we learn from the story?
A. Practice makes perfect. B. Skill makes life easy.
C. A good beginning makes a good ending. D. Every man has his gift.
完形填空 (共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分)
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。
I live in Albuquerque and I used to give much money to the homeless around, feeling sorry for their misfortune. But later I became a single mom with no home, a huge 36 and hardly any income. 37 , I stopped giving and became very bitter.
Several years later, things started to 38 . I became 39 enough to have a home, and 40 a backyard, and I started to pull myself out of debt. One day we saw a homeless person with the 41 , “Will work for food.” I 42 . My daughter asked why I no longer helped the people in 43 . I replied, “Honey, they just use that money for 44 or other bad things.” She didn’t respond. But when I said that, it didn’t feel right.
Three days later, I was 45 to pick up my daughter from school. A man was standing on the corner and something deep inside 46 me to help him. So I stopped my car, and he ran over with enthusiasm. He said, “God bless you, I only need 77 cents.” I 47 into my ashtray and 48 enough, there sat three quarters and two pennies.
Greatly shocked by this 49 , I gave him all the money in the ashtray. He 50 with joy and tears in his eyes, “You just made it 51 for me to see my mom for Christmas! The bus offering this great sale is 52 right away!” It was a moment I’ll never forget. I think that man won’t forget it either, but I was the one who got the best __53__ in life – giving. It also 54 me that nothing is a coincidence, 55 everything has meaning.
1. A. debt B. responsibility C. shadow D. pressure
2. A. In fact B. In other words C. As a result D. All in all
3. A. develop B. worsen C. vary D. change
4. A. fortunate B. wealthy C. generous D. successful
5.A. even B. still C. yet D. only
6.A. decoration B. expression C. sign D. announcement
7. A. got by B. pulled out C. passed away D. passed by
8. A. emergency B. danger C. need D. panic
9. A. food B. alcohol C. medicine D. entertainment
10. A. driving B. jogging C. wandering D. cycling
11. A. directed B. challenged C. permitted D. drove
12.A. reached B. turned C. broke D. searched
13. A. amusingly B. strangely C. awkwardly D. naturally
14. A. incident B. condition C. coincidence D. circumstance
15.A. poured out B. turned out C. broke out D. burst out
16. A. necessary B. difficult C. possible D. suitable
17.A. queuing B. leaving C. settling D. operating
18.A. gift B. time C. favor D. honor
19. A. impresses B. informs C. persuades D. reminds
20. A. or B. and C. so D. however
— Sorry, I made a mistake again.
— _______. As long as you practice more, you’ll succeed one day.
A. Never mind B. Certainly not C. Out of the question D. Don’t mention it
Madame Curie is believed _______ radium.
A. discovering B. having discovered C. to have discovered D. to discover
Having taken our seats, _______.
A. the professor began the lecture
B. the lecture began in no time
C. we were attracted by the lecture immediately
D. the bell announced the beginning of the lecture
Apart from being good at teamwork, he is tall, strong and athletic. _______, he is the best choice for the coming basketball match.
A. All in all B. In addition C. After all D. By the way
