Jim is the son of a farm owner. One New Year’s Day, when he was 15 years old, his father   41   him to work on the farm for one year at his free time. Jim was   42   with his father’s idea. “That isn’t my job. I have   43   school work to do.” At hearing this, his father said, “I promise (答應(yīng)) to give you the best present if you   44   finish one year’s work.” Jim thought for a while and   45  .

Starting one Saturday, the boy got up early and worked   46   until evening, just like any other farmer. Time passed   47  . Jim’s crops grew very well. On the last day of the year, the father called his son to him. “I’m happy to see that you have worked very hard the whole year,” said the father. “Now, tell me   48   you want.”

The boy smiled and showed his father a big piece of bread made from his wheat. “I’ve already got the   49   present. No pains, no gains. I think this is what you wanted me to   50  .” His father was very pleased to hear that.

1.A. asked      B. invited      C. promised     D. helped

2.A. happy      B. unhappy      C. excited      D. familiar

3.A. a few      B. so little        C. too much     D. too many

4.A. shall      B. must         C. need        D. can

5.A. refused    B. answered     C. agreed       D. began

6.A. hard       B. hardly       C. easily       D. difficultly

7.A. fast       B. quickly      C. slowly       D. immediately

8.A. that       B. which            C. how          D. what

9.A. least      B. worst            C. best         D. smallest

10.A. decide   B. like         C. take         D. know

Jim is the son of a farm owner. One New Year's Day, when he was 15 years old, his father        him to work on the farm for one year at his free time. Jim was        with his father's idea. 'That isn't my job. I have         schoolwork to do. ' At hearing this, his father said, 'I promise(答應(yīng)) to give you the best present if you       finish one year's work. , Jim thought for a while and       . Starting one Saturday, the boy got up early and worked       until evening, just like any other farmer. Time passed      . Jim's crops grew very well. On the last day of the year, the father called his son to him, 'I'm happy to see that you have worked very hard the whole year,' said the father, Now, tell me       you want.' The boy smiled and showed his father a big piece of bread made from his wheat. 'I've already got the       present. No pains, no gains. I think this is what you wanted me to       .

How do you usually get to school? Buy bus? On foot? Roby Burch, 16, a US student, gets to school a little 36__________---he goes by horse (馬).

Burch has been riding his white horse 4 miles to and from school 37 __________the beginning of the semester. “Every morning, wearing my blue jacket and jeans, I’m on my way at 6 am.” Burch says, “The streets are mostly 38__________ at this time of morning. It’s a nice way to start the day.”

The idea was his 39__________. His family were enjoying their vacation on their farm this summer, “My dad just said, ‘Roby, you 40__________ ride your horse to school every day.’” says Burch. He thought it really was a good idea.

When they got back home, Burch asked for permission from the headmaster (校長(zhǎng)), Joe Cox, and surprisingly, he got the green light. Cox even 41__________ Burch to keep the horse next to the headmaster’s house. Then his dad helped Burch find the best route to school. It is along back streets and has 42__________cars than the others.

For the return trip every afternoon, Burch leaves school at 5:45 pm. Even now, as the days grow shorter and colder, he 43__________ to ride his horse. “ I will ride my horse even in the coldest weather.” he says.

Burch says the first time he sat on a horse as a four-year-old boy he was afraid. 44__________ now, “it’s what I do best.” It’s no surprise that he wants to be a cowboy (牛仔) when he grows up. “I love riding horses more than 45 __________ else.” He says, “It’s really a guy thing.”

36. A. normally   B. casually   C. differently   D. actually

37. A. for   B. since   C. before   D. after

38. A. empty   B. crowded   C. busy   D. awful

39. A. sister’s   B. brother’s   C. mom’s   D. dad’s

40. A. will   B. won’t   C. should   D. shouldn’t 

41. A. invited   B. allowed   C. taught   D. urged

42. A. fewer   B. few   C. more   D. many

43. A. begins   B. stops   C. continues   D. refuses

44. A. so   B. or   C. and   D. but

45. A. anything   B. nothing   C. everybody   D. somebody