The following story took place long ago in Israel. One day when government officials were rebuilding an office, they found a mouse hole in a corner and used smoke to force the mice inside the hole to come out. A while later they indeed saw mice running out, one after another.
Then, everyone thought that all the mice had escaped. But just as they were just about to start to clean up, they saw two mice squeezing out at the exit of the hole. After some endeavor, the mice finally got out. The strange thing was that after they came out of the hole, they did not run away immediately. Instead, one chased after the other near the exit of the hole. It seemed that one was trying to bite the tail of the other.
Everyone was puzzled, so they stepped closer to take a look. They realized that one of the mice was blind and could not see anything, and the other one was trying to allow the blind mouse to bite on his tail so he could pull the blind one with him to escape.
After witnessing what happened, everyone was speechless and lost in thought. During meal time, the group of people sat down in a circle and started to chat about what happened to the two mice.
One serious Rome official said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of emperor and minister.” The others thought for a while and said: “That was why!” Thus the Rome official showed his arrogance .
A smart Israeli said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was husband and wife.” Again the others thought for a while, and all felt it made sense; so they expressed agreement. Therefore, the Israeli’s countenance (脸色,面色)showed self-satisfaction.
A Chinese, who was accustomed to the firm tradition of loyalty to parents, said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of mother and son.” Once again the others thought for a while, and felt this was more reasonable. So they expressed agreement yet another time. Therefore, the face of the Chinese showed professional modesty.
At that moment, one pure-minded Samaritan(撒玛利亚人) who was squatted (蹲)on the ground resting his chin in his hands, bewilderedly (为难地)looked at other people, and asked: “Why did those two mice have to have a certain relationship?”
Suddenly, the atmosphere froze. Then the group looked back at the Samaritan and remained speechless. The Rome official, the Israeli and the Chinese who had spoken earlier all lowered their heads in shame, and did not dare to respond.
In fact, the true love is not established on benefit, friendship and loyalty or blood relationship. Instead, it is based on no relationship.
1. Which of the following is the correct order to describe the story according to the passage?
a. Mice came out one after another forced by smoke.
b. Government officials found a mouse hole in an office.
c. Two more mice came out of the hole.
d. One mouse tried to bite the tail of the other one near the exit of the hole.
e. Government officials were about to clean up.
A.b-a-e-c-d B.b-a-c-d-e C.c-b-a-e-d D.c-a-d-b-e
2. Why didn’t the two mice escape immediately?
A. They didn’t know about the danger.
B. One was trying to bite the tail of the other.
C. They couldn’t find the right direction to run away.
D. One was trying to help the other to escape together.
3. What does the sentence “That was why!” mean in Para.5?
A. “That was just the reason why you think the two mice were emperor and minister?”
B. “That was just the reason why the two mice ran after each other?”
C. “That was just the reason why one mouse helped the other to escape from the hole!”
D. “That was just the reason why we should believe your words?”
4. Why did they lower their heads in shame according to the passage?
A. They did not dare to answer.
B. They failed to analyze the relationship between the mice.
C. They regretted driving a poor blind mouse away.
D. They did not express themselves much better.