Emperor Akbar was traveling to a city a long way from his home. It was hot and he was beginning to feel tired and bored.

   “Can anybody shorten this 36 for me? ” he asked impatiently.

   The courtiers (侍從) 37 one another nervously. They knew there was no shorter road through the mountains to the city.

   “I 38 said Birbal.

   “You can shorten the road?” said the emperor. “Well,go on. Do it!”

   “I will ,” said Birbal. “But first listen to this 39 .”

   Birbal rode beside the emperor and began to tell a story. It was a very 40 tale,so all the listeners were fascinated. 41 they^were told the end of the story,they had reached the end of their journey.

   “We’ve arrived!” said the emperor happily. “So soon!”

   Several days later,a man came to 42 Birbal. He had heard stories about how clever Birbal was.

   The man asked Birbal,“Would you prefer to answer a hundred 43 questions or just one difficult question?”

   “Ask me one difficult question ,” said Birbal.

   “Well then,tell me ,” said the man, “44 came first into the world,the chicken or the egg?”

   “The chicken,” repliedBirbal.

   “How do you know?” asked the man,thinking he had frapped (誘騙) Birbal.

   “We had 45 you would ask only one question and you have already asked it’s said Birbal. He walked away,leaving the man speechless.

() 36. A. name   B. road   C. stick   D. mountain

() 37. A. looked at   B. looked for   C. looked after   D. looked through

() 38. A. can,   B. can't   C. should   D. shouldn’ t

() 39. A. song   B. news   C. story   D. conversation

() 40. A. short   B. long   C. boring   D. exciting

() 41. A. After   B. Though   C. Before   D. Since

() 42. A. kill   B. cheat   C. praise   D. challenge

() 43. A. easy   B. difficult   C. new   D. old

() 44. A. who   B. where   C. how   D. which

() 45. A. hoped   B. agreed   C. advised   D. believed

() 35. —What do you think of the rock music?

—It's so noisy.. I prefer light music.

   A. I’ m  afraid not   B. V ve no idea   C. I can't stand it   D. I don't think so

() 34. I don't the price as long as the vegetables are fresh.

   A. care about   B. talk about

   C. learn about   D. hear about

() 33. So far Billy five Chinese songs. He really feels proud of himself.

   A. learns   B. learned

   C. has learned   D. is learning

() 32,The 2015 National Youth Games was held in Fuzhou. Ji Xinjie did in men,s 200-meter freestyle and won the gold medal.

   A. good   B. well

   C. better   D. best

() 30. —Minnie will take part in the girls,800-meter race tomorrow.

—She is good at running. I expect her .

   A. win   B. winning

   C. to win   D. won

() 29. —Jason, do you go to the theater?

—Once a week.

   A. how much   B. how soon

   C. how often   D. how long

() 31. We all know that exercise we take, we will be.

   A. the much; the healthy

   B. the more; the healthy

   C. the much; the healthier

   D. the more; the healthier

() 28. Annie and Ruby are very good friends. They always much with each other.

   A. mind   B. share

   C. choose   D. argue

() 27. —Tomorrow’s meeting is very important,you know.

一I see. I’ 11 attend it I'm very busy.

   A. if   B. because

   C. until   D. although