Many years ago three soldiers, hungry and tired of battles, came upon a small village. The villagers, 36 a poor harvest and many years of war, quickly 37 what little they had to eat and met the three at the village square, wringing(绞)their clothes and complaining of the 38 shortages.
The soldiers spoke quietly among themselves and the first soldier then 39 the village elders. “Your tired fields have left you 40 to share, so we will share what little we have: the 41 of how to make soup from stones.”
42 the villagers were interested and soon a fire was put to the town’s greatest pot as the soldiers dropped three smooth 43 into the pot full of water. “Now this will be a fine soup,” said the second soldier, “but a little salt and some parsley(欧芹)would make it 44 !” Up jumped a villager, crying “I’ve just remembered 45 some have been left!” She ran away, 46 with the parsley and salt. 47 the water boiled, corn, carrots, beef and cream 48 their way into the pot when all sat 49 to have a large meal.
The villagers ate and sang and danced well into the 50 , full of energy again by the meal and their new-found friends. In the next morning the three soldiers 51 up to find the whole village standing before them. At their feet 52 a bag of the village’s best bread and cheese. An elder said that the soldiers had given them the 53 gift: the secret of how to make soup from stones and they would never forget. The third soldier turned to the 54 and said, “There is no secret, but this is certain: it is only by 55 that we may enjoy a large meal.”
A.having B.disliking C.knowing D.suffering
A.threw B.hid C.covered D.collected
A.clothing B.money C.food D.water
A.called for B.believed in C.looked for D.turned to
A.nothing B.everything C.anything D.something
A.skill B.secret C.study D.story
A.Quietly B.Naturally C.Suddenly D.Finally
A.coins B.spoons C.stones D.knives
A.salty B.wonderful C.sweet D.beautiful
A.where B.when C.why D.how
A.leaving B.starting C.playing D.returning
A.while B.Though C.As D.Since
A.lost B.went C.found D.directed
A.up B.around C.by D.down
A.night B.morning C.afternoon D.day
A.stayed B.jumped C.woke D.moved
A.lay B.stood C.hung D.fell
A.greatest B.simplest C.worst D.funniest
A.adults B.soldiers C.workmen D.crowd
A.learning B.sharing C.borrowing D.trusting