A
A ship was wrecked(遭遇沉船) during storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small island.
The two survivors, also good friends, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other choice but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they divided the land between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree beside him and he ate its fruit. The other man's land remained barren(贫瘠的).
After a week, the first man was lonely so he prayed for a wife. The next day, another ship was completely destroyed, and the only woman survivor soon became his wife. On the other side of the island, there was still nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for ship. In the morning, he found ship at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island behind, because he considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”
“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked with great curiosity, “What did he pray for that should owe him anything?”
“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”
1. It can be learned from the passage that .
A. the men prayed for each other selflessly
B. the first man was a reliable and devoted friend
C. the men stayed separated to test the power of their prayers
D. the men got along well with each other on the island
2. What does the passage imply about the second man?
A. It was his prayers that helped his friend get out of trouble.
B. He lost heart in trouble so he deserves no God's blessings
C. His wife was another survivor sent by God to keep him company.
D. He lost his chances since he was not brave enough to show his needs
3. What does the underlined word “rebuked” in paragraph 9 most probably mean?
A. Ignored. B. Criticized. C. Requested. D. Forgave.
4. What is the message expressed in the story?
A. A friend in need is friend indeed
B. A life without a friend is a life without a sun.
C. Our blessings are the fruits of our prayers alone.
D. Helping others is more important than helping yourself.
【答案】1. C 2. A 3. B 4. A
【解析】
本文是记叙文。通过一个善良的人总是为别人祈祷的故事告诉我们帮助他人就是帮助自己。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they divided the land between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.” 为了知道谁的祷告更有力量，他们就把地分了两半，分别留在岛两侧。可知，两个人分开是为了测试他们的祈祷是否能实现，故选C项。
【2题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”他的祈祷就是你的愿望都能实现。可知，正是第二个人的祈祷让第一个人的愿望得以实现，所以是他的祈祷让朋友走出困境。故选A项。
【3题详解】
词义猜测题。根据画线词前的““You are mistaken!”可知，”你错了”，结合前文第一个男人抛下同伴独自离去的场景，可知这是批评的口气，由此可知画线词词义为“批评”，故选B项。
【4题详解】
主旨大意题。文章第一段“A ship was wrecked(遭遇沉船) during storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small island.” 一艘船在海上风暴中失事，船上只有两个人能游到一个小岛上。交代了故事发生的背景。再根据最后一段“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”他的祈祷就是你的愿望都能实现。可知，其中一个朋友帮助另外一个朋友实现了所有的愿望，这体现出患难见真情，故选A项。
