There’s a small town in the central part of England called Gotham. Some say it’s a town of fools. Others say all the villagers are wise. Let me tell you about the people of Gotham so you can decide for yourself.
Long ago, England was ruled by a cruel king named John. One day, the people of Gotham heard that King John and his men would soon be riding through their town.This worried the villagers, for they knew the greedy king would demand food and accommodation for his men. What’s more, if he saw anything to his liking, he would surely take it.
A town meeting was called. After much discussion, the townspeople decided to cut down a number of huge trees to block the roads leading into Gotham. When King John and his men reached the outskirts of the village, they could not pass. Angry, King John ordered his men to go into the town and punish the villagers.
When the king’s officers finally made their way over the trees, they found a village of fools. Some say that was because the people of Gotham had a plan—they had decided to act like fools since they had never heard of anyone being punished for being a noodlehead. Others say that’s just the way they were.
In the village, the king’s men encountered a man riding a donkey. The man was bent over because he carried a huge bag of grain on his own shoulders. He looked exhausted. One of the king’s men approached him and asked, “Why, in heaven’s name, are you carrying that bag? Why don’t you just put it behind you on your donkey’s back?”
“You see,” replied the man from Gotham, “my donkey is feeling poor today. It’s bad enough that she has to carry me, so I decided to lighten her burden by carrying the bag myself.”
The king’s men said, “But sir, don’t you see that if you’re riding on top of the donkey, she’s
still carrying the weight of the bag?” The man didn’t reply. He just looked at the king’s men as if they were crazy and went on his way. The king’s officers giggled at the foolishness of the man. Before long, they passed a pond where they found a number of villagers in the midst of a great argument. Two of them were holding a big eel. “Quiet down,” commanded one of the king’s men. “What’s the problem here?”
One of the villagers stepped forward and said, “Last year we took all the extra fish we [caught and put them in this pond so they would multiply. But this year when we came back, all we caught was this one huge eel. Obviously it has eaten all of our fish! Since then, we have argued long and hard over how to punish this bad eel. But we have finally agreed on the perfect punishment. We are just about to drown the eel in this very pond!” The king’s officers couldn’t believe their ears. Drown an eel whose home is in the water? These men were sillier than the first man they met!
Before long, they reached the center of the village, where they were in for another surprise. There they found the rest of the townspeople building a towering stone wall. When the soldiers inquired what was going on, one of the villagers replied, “Every spring a cuckoo comes to live in our village. It always brings warm weather. When it leaves, the cold weather returns. Last year we decided that if we could get the cuckoo to stay here all year, we would always have warm weather. We built this stone wall, but it obviously wasn’t high enough because the bird flew away. This year we’re determined to build it so high that the cuckoo can’t escape.”
The king’s officers had heard enough. They couldn’t bring themselves to punish such stupid people. They returned to King John and told him all about the fools of Gotham. Whether it’s fair or not, the people of Gotham have been known as fools ever since.
What do you think? Were the villagers of Gotham wise or foolish?
1.This story is most like___________.
A. a news article B. a folktale
C. realistic fiction D. historical fiction
2.The story is set in___________.
A. A city B. A forest
C. A royal palace D. A small village
3.Why do the townspeople cut down the trees?
A. To make room for their crops.
B. To block the roads to the village.
C. To create a gift for the king’s men.
D. To build accommodation for the king’s men.
4.The townspeople are worried about the king’s visit because he will___________.
A. laugh at them
B. cut down their trees
C. take anything he wants
D. want to move to their town
5.Based on the story, why might the townspeople be considered wise?
A. They trick the king’s men into thinking they are fools.
B. They think ahead by putting their extra fish into a pond.
C. They make sure their donkeys are healthy enough to work.
D. They realize the importance of warm weather to their crops.
If you have ever driven in the mountains on a cool autumn morning, then you know what fog is. Today , I just drove right into a of fog. I quickly slowed down and my headlights. Seeing the road ahead was a . I felt as if I had been transported into a shadow world. I looked was only dark grayness. Even the trees the road had become frightening, me of some frightening stories. I drove on and on through the waves of dark and wondered it would end.
After a while, , the sun broke through the fog and the world was transformed. The golden light beams the landscape. The red and yellow leaves shone on the . The river along the road shone in the sunshine. Everything seemed full of and joy again. I smiled and drove, singing a song in my heart. I thanked God for both the sunshine and the 32 , because he reminded me again of just how this world can be.
In our lives the fog can roll in sometimes too. Things can go . Problems can appear. Difficulties, pains and troubles can seem to us and block out all the light in our life.
When this happens and the world seems in gray, we need to remember that we can break through the fog. We can the shadows away with love. We can transform the world with our joy. We also can light a way the dark for others to follow. God is willing to our souls with his love and light. All he asks is that we share their shine. May all of your foggy days be then. May your soul shine brightly. And may you forever struggle to live in God’s light.
1.A. photo B. sea C. picture D. drop
2.A. turned on B. put on C. turned off D. put off
3.A. challenge B. disappointment C. devotion D. pain
4.A. Nowhere B. Somewhere C. Anywhere D. Everywhere
5.A. ranging B. lining C. standing D. planting
6.A. warning B. informing C. accusing D. reminding
7.A. why B. what C. if D. unless
8.A. otherwise B. though C. besides D. therefore
9.A. bathed B. changed C. broke D. impressed
10.A. mountains B. roads C. headlights D. trees
11.A. light B. smile C. heat D. smoke
12.A. weather B. air C. fog D. dark
13.A. peaceful B. beautiful C. small D. quiet
14.A. smooth B. mad C. well D. wrong
15.A. surround B. remove C. encourage D. improve
16.A. moved B. touched C. covered D. attracted
17.A. knock B. drive C. beat D. pour
18.A. across B. over C. through D. above
19.A. replace B. conduct C. match D. fill
20.A. lasting B. endless C. brief D. late
—I’ve just finished my interview. I’m pretty hopeful.
—______. I hope it works out for you.
A. It’s all right B. Good idea
C. All the best D. That sounds great
Traditionally, Chinese people ________ the Chinese characters “Double Happiness” and stick them onto walls or doors for weddings.
A. cut out B. cut off C. cut up D. cut down
—I wonder if you have spotted my newly-bought magazine.
—I saw Jenny going away with ______, but I am not certain whether it is exactly yours.
A. it B. that C. one D. some
There is no doubt that ___a goal, one needs not only knowledge but also good personalities.
A. realized B. to realize
C. realizing D. being realized
