One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience of selecting and cutting oak trees. They would later 12 them to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained the 13 of each tree is decided by its 14 shape: some are straight for planks (木壳板) and some are 15 for masts (桅杆). By paying attention to the 16 of each tree, and with experience in 17 these characteristics, someday he too might become the 18 of the forest.
A little way leading to the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been 19 . The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was 20 for boat building —there were no straight limbs (树杈) and the 21 was short. “We could cut it down for 22 ,” the grandson said. “ 23 , it will be of some use to us.”
The woodcutter replied that now they should pay attention to their work—cutting the 24 trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could 25 to the old oak tree.
After a few hours of cutting, the grandson grew 26 and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they 27 against its trunk under the cool shade. After a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson, “You must 28 to pay careful attention every day. For it is this old oak tree, which you so 29 considered useless except for firewood, that now 30 us to rest against its trunk in the coolness of its shade. Remember, grandson, not everything is as it 31 appears.”
12. A. devote B. push C. introduce D. sell
13. A. price B. expense C. usage D. request
14. A. huge B. normal C. good D. natural
15. A. tall B. heavy C. short D. thin
16. A. tasks B. details C. position D. color
17. A. recognizing B. explaining C. adjusting D. maintaining
18. A. hunter B. woodcutter C. owner D. guard
19. A. watered B. broken C. covered D. cut
20. A. valuable B. rare C. useless D. uncommon
21. A. flower B. branch C. root D. trunk
22. A. protection B. building C. firewood D. goods
23. A. In addition B. As usual C. By accident D. At least
24. A. proper B. strong C. young D. beautiful
25. A. climb B. return C. move D. rush
26. A. tired B. embarrassed C. impatient D. worried
27. A. watched B. stood C. rested D. waited
28. A. ask B. learn C. expect D. agree
29. A. proudly B. abruptly C. happily D. quickly
30. A. encourages B. advises C. allows D. calls
31. A. first B. last C. eventually D. usually