Long long ago, human beings used to walk barefoot. A king happened to travel 16 into the countryside. He was greatly troubled by the17roads where gravel(砾石) and broken stones pricked(使刺痛) and numbed(使麻木) his18 . When he returned to his palace he issued an order that all the roads be19with cattle hide(牛皮). He thought it was beneficial not only to 20 but also to his people and hoped 21 would no longer be a painful thing
But 22 all the cattle in the kingdom were killed there 23not be enough hide to get the work done. Evidently it was a stupid 24. As it was an imperial order people could do nothing but shake their heads and 25 . At this juncture a clever servant in the palace 26to make a suggestion. 'Your Majesty, why don't take an easier way? You don't have to mobilize（调动）so many people, to have so many oxen killed, nor so much money27 . What you have to do is simply to cover each of your feet with a piece of hide.' Surprised and28 , the king immediately changed his mind and adopted the 29 .
This is said to be the origin of using30 to make shoes. Though it sounds31 and strange, it inspires us to think. It is much easier to change oneself than to change the world.32 it will be much better for one to change oneself before one33an attempt to change the outer world. Why don't try to put yourself on the34of the person you deal with? You will find it easier to solve a problem35 you change your way of thinking.
小题1:A．much B．near C．far D．a lot小题2:A．smoothB．rough C．long D．busy小题3:A．body B．arms C．feet D．legs小题4:A．crowded B．filled C．covered D．put小题5:A．othersB．himself C．them D．themselves小题6:A．walking B．swimming C．singingD．shopping小题7:A．as well B．even if C．as long as D．when小题8:A．would B．should C．must D．may小题9:A．comment B．chance C．attempt D．opinion小题10:A．sigh B．sign C．cheerD．weep小题11:A．wanted B．ventured C．planned D．hoped小题12:A．wasted B．borrowed C．saved D．loaned小题13:A．moved B．excited C．pleased D．bored小题14:A．decision B．plan C．suggestion D．measure小题15:A．leatherB．silkC．plasticD．cloth小题16:A．odd B．funny C．amusing D．surprising小题17:A．Or B．ButC．So D．However小题18:A．makes B．tries C．takes D．gives小题19:A．direction B．situation C．occasion D．position小题20:A．before B．ifC．while D．until