四、阅读理解

A

June came and the hottest month of the year began. A lot of travelers came to the city by the sea. All of the hotels were full except Mr. Johnson’s. The prices of all the rooms were the lowest in the city but few people stayed there. The fire(火灾)broke out three times in a year and four travelers died in the accidents. Most workers left there and found jobs in the other hotels. Mr. Johnson had to do most work himself.

It was eleven o’clock. Most rooms were still empty. Mr. Johnson worked for the whole day and was very tired. He went to close the gate when a young man came in, with a big bag in his hand.

“What can I do for you, sir?” asked Mr. Johnson.

“The cheapest room in your hotel.”

“OK,” said Mr. Johnson, “but it’s on the top floor.”

“It doesn’t matter. I think you have a lift in your hotel.”

“Of course, sir,” said the manager. “It’ll take you right there. By the way, may I keep your bag for you?”

“No, thanks. There’s nothing expensive in it but a long rope.”

“Oh? What do you bring it with you for?”

“I’m afraid another fire will happen in your hotel. If it does, I’ll throw the rope out of the window so that I’ll be able to escape from(逃脱)it.”

“Yes?” Mr. Johnson said in surprise. “So you have to pay for the bill before you go to your room.”

31. Most workers left the hotel because ______.

A. Mr. Johnson paid them less

B. it was dangerous to work for Mr. Johnson

C. some travelers stayed there

D. it was too hot there in summer

32. ______, so most rooms were empty.

A. The travelers preferred to stay outside

B. The travelers went out for supper

C. A few travelers died in Mr. Johnson’s hotel

D. Mr. Johnson was bad to the travelers

33. The young man went in the hotel to ______.

A. put his bag there      B. look for something

C. talk to Mr. Johnson     D. stay for night

34. The young man took a long rope with him so that ______.

A. he could easily leave the hotel if it was on fire

B. he could pay nothing for the room

C. he could go to work early the next morning

D. he could hold something

35. Mr. Johnson asked the young man to pay because he was afraid ______.

A. the young man could hurt him

B. the young man could take something away

C. the young man could leave without paying any money

D. his hotel would be on fire again

B

The old name for films was “moving pictures”. In America they still call them “movies” and they say “Shall we go to the movies?” when we say “Shall we go to the cinema?”

A boy once said to his friend, “Do you like moving pictures?” His friend thought that he was going to invite him to go to the cinema, so he said, “Yes, please. I like moving pictures very much.”

“Good,” said the boy, “my father has a picture shop. He sells pictures. This evening I must move pictures from one room to another. You like moving pictures, so I think you will enjoy moving pictures for me.”