四、阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分） 阅读下列短文，从每小题所给的

题目：

四、阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）

阅读下列短文，从每小题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在机读卡上将该项涂黑。

Watson entered Mr Smith’s office. The Boss was a hard man. He fired people who didn’t do well without giving them a second chance.

“Watson,” said Mr Smith, “this past year your department hasn’t earned money. We’re going to drop that department. It’s finished. I’ m sorry, —but you’ll have to go.” “But, sir—if I just had a little more time. For the moment I need the job to keep my son at Riverside School.”

“What’s that!” said the Boss. “Riverside! I didn’t know you had a boy there. That’s an expensive school for a man with your salary.”

“1 know, sir. But he likes it there so much! He’s a star trackman（田径运动员） and the best boxer in the school. The boys call him Champ（冠军） there.”

The Boss sat perfectly still for a long time—a faraway （恍惚的） look in his eyes. Then, suddenly, he said, “We’ve got to close your department, Watson. But you’ll take over a new job in another department. It means longer hours—maybe more pay. Now get out. You’re here for life.”

Watson got out, with surprise in his face. Then the Boss took a letter from the top drawer of his desk. It was Herbie’s last letter from Riverside School —written a few days before he died. He had read it over and over again with sick pain. The letter read:

I can’t say the boys here are any nicer to me than the others were. I guess it’s the same everywhere when you’re a cripple (跛脚的人). But don’t worry about me, Dad. They’ve got a good chemistry department here. And there’s one boy here who is really great. He’s a track star and boxing champ and just tops in chemistry. The boys call him Champ. He made them stop throwing my books around. And he knocked a boy down who hit me. He is the best friend I ever had. Dad, when I grow up, I want to do something for Champ. Something big—that he won’t even know about.

Your son,

Herbie

56. The underlined word “drop” in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by ________.

A. fall                   B. close                        C. punish                      D. sell

57. It can be inferred from the text that Champ is_______.

A. Watson’ s son                                       B. Mr Smith’ s son

C. a teacher of Mr Smith’s son                           D. the son of Mr Smith’s friend

58. From the text we know that Herbie_______.

A. was a college student                    B. didn’t live to grow up

C. made friends with many boys                 D. died from a car accident

59. Watson was given a second chance because_______.

A. Mr Smith wanted to help Watson’s son

B. a man was needed in another department

C. Herbie told Mr Smith to do so in his letter

D. Mr Smith wanted to realize his son’s dream