Black beauty
My first home was a beautiful meadow with a pound of clear water. There were some large trees near the pond. On one side of the meadow was a field and on the other was the house of our master, Farmer Grey. He was a kind man.
My mother and I had a happy life. She worked during the day. I played with the other young horses and had great fun. At night I lay next to her.
One day, my master sold me to Squire Gordon. He lived with his family in a big house.
“You are a beautiful horse,” he said, “You have a beautiful black coat. I shall call you Black Beauty.”
I learned to carry my master on my back and pull a coach. I learned to wear reins(缰绳) and a bit in my mouth. I did not like them, but all of the horses had to wear them.
My master had two horses. One of them was Ginger. She was not friendly. She bit and kicked people.
Ginger and I pulled a coach together. The coachman’s name was John. Ginger and I worked very hard. We became friends.
Ginger told me about her life when she was young. She told me, “My master was not kind to me. My reins and bit hurt me. My master didn't care.”
Squire Gordon and his men felt sorry for ginger. They were always kind to her. She stopped biting and kicking people. She became a happy horse.
One day in autumn Squire Gordon went on a long journey. John went with him and I pulled the coach. The weather was rainy and windy. Mr. Gordon and John could not see well in the rain. We came to a bridge. I stopped. “Something is wrong,” I thought. I didn't want to go on to the bridge. Mr. Gordon and John wanted me to go on to the bridge. I didn't move. Just then a man saw us. “Stop!” he cried.
“The bridge is broken in the middle. If you go on to it, you are all going todrownin the river.”
“Thank god!” said the Squire.
Then John said, “Black Beauty saved our lives. He knew the bridge was dangerous.”
When we returned home, Squire Gordon told his wife, “We are all safe, thanks to Black Beauty.” That night. I was glad, because I was very tired.
38. Who named the horse Black Beauty?
A.Farmer Grey | B.John | C.Mrs. Gordon | D.Squire Gordon |
39. What does the underlined word “drown” probably mean?
A.to die because of been underwater too long |
B.to make something very wet; to completely cover something in water |
C.to be louder than other sounds so that you can not hear them |
D.to get dead because you can’t breathe |
40. Which of the following is TRUE According to the passage?
A.Black Beauty lived a hard life with mum. | B.Some horses did not wear reins or bits. |
C.Ginger was unhappy when she was young. | D.Squire Gordon went on a long journey alone. |
41. How did Black Beauty save his master’s life?
A.By fixing the bridge. | B.By asking other horses for help. |
C.By asking the man for help. | D.By refusing to cross the bridge. |