Shylock went to visit Antonio. When he saw him, he remembered how much he hated him. However, he didn’t show his hatred. He tried to be friendly.
“It’s thirty thousand dollars for three months, isn’t it?” he asked.
Antonio and Bassanio agreed.
“What interest will you pay?” he asked.
Before long, Antonio and Shylock were arguing about interest. Antonio called Shylock some bad names.
“He looks like a good apple,” he told Bassanio, “but inside he is rotten(腐烂的). ”
Bassanio was worried. Perhaps Shylock would not lend him the money, so he spoke to Antonio. Antonio was sorry.
“Will you still lend us the money?”, Antonio asked Shylock.
“Why should I?” asked Shylock. “You often say bad things about me for the way I lend money. I never argue with you about it because I am a man who does not get angry quickly. You call me names. You call me a dog. You spit on my clothes. Now you need my help, and you come to me and ask for money. I should tell you that a dog has no money. How can a dog lend you thirty thousand dollars? Or should I thank you for spitting on my clothes? Should I say that because of these kind acts I will be pleased to lend you thirty thousand dollars?
“If you lend us this money,” pleaded(恳求) Antonio, “I will not call your names or spit on your clothes again. I am not asking you to lend us the money as if we were friends. Lend it to us as if we were your enemies. Then if we cannot pay it back in time, you will feel better making us pay the penalty.
Shylock pretended to be surprised. “Antonio, I want to be your friend. I want you to forget all the bad things you said to me. I want to help you.”
Bassanio thought this was kind.
“Come with me to the judge,” said Shylock, “so that he can write the contract(合同). I will lend you thirty thousand dollars for three months. You will pay no interest. Just for fun. However, let’s agree that if you do not pay me on time, you will give me one pound of your flesh(肉) from wherever I choose to take it!”
41. Why did Shylock visit Antonio?
A.To show his willingness to help Bassanio. |
B.To make friends with Antonio and Bassanio. |
C.To catch a chance to hurt his enemy Antonio. |
D.To make sure if he could lend money to Bassanio. |
42. What might NOT Antonio call Shylock when they were arguing about interest?
A.An apple. | B.A dog. | C.Shy lock. | D.Gentleman. |
43. What does the underlined “penalty” probably mean in the passage?
A.Antonio’s business. | B.$30, 000 and interest. |
C.Thirty thousand dollars. | D.One pound of Antonio’s flesh. |
44. Which of the following is the right order of Shylock’s action?
①He argued with Antonio about the interest.
②He went to the judge with Antonio and Bassanio.
③He pretended to be friendly and went to see Antonio.
④He explained the reason why he didn’t want to lend the money.
45. What can you infer(推断) from the passage?
A.Bassanio borrowed the money from Shylock. |
B.Shylock refused to lend his money to Bassanio. |
C.Bassanio paid the money back to Shylock three months later. |
D.From then on Shylock got on well with Antonio and Bassanio. |