An Expensive Head
In the ancient 1 times there was 2 a king 4 who wanted to find a swift 5 horse that could 6 cover 7 a thousand 1i（half a kilometre）in one day and he was willing 8 to pay 9 one thousand pieces of gold for it．But for three years he was unsuccessful．A eunuch said 10 to the king，“Please let me go and find such 11 a horse for you．”
The king agreed 12 to send him After three months the eunuch found 13 a very swift horse but it was dead 14．He bought the horse's head for five hundred pieces of gold and returned 15 to report 16 to the king．“I want a living 17 horse．”the king shouted furiously 18．“What is the use of a dead one？And you gave 19 away five hundred gold pieces as 3 well！”
“If a dead horse is worth 20 five hundred gold pieces，”answered the eunuch，“what would 21 a living one be worth？People everywhere will know that the king is willing to pay a great deal 22 to buy horses．Good horses will soon appear 23．”
In less 24 than a year，three fine horses were brought 25 to the king．Exercises：
回答下列问题：
① How much would the king afford 26 to buy a swift horse？
② How much did 27 a dead horse cost 28？
③ Why three fine horses were brought to the king？
- He got work in a hotel as a waiter.他在一家旅馆找到了当服务生的工作。
- In the hotel,the old men were drinking away as usual.在旅馆里，这些老人和往常一样喝个不停。
- He is swift to hear,but slow to speak.他听力敏锐，但不善言辞。
- He made a remarkably swift recovery.他康复得相当快。
- Could I open the window?我可以打开窗子吗？
- I could wait ten minutes.我可以等十分钟。
- Under cover of the dark,the dog was stolen.在黑夜的掩护下，狗被偷走了。
- The book needs a new cover.这书需要装个新封面。
- We never lack food and clothing if we're willing to work.如果我们愿意工作,就不会缺吃少穿。
- He's quite willing to pay the price I ask.他很愿意照我的要价付钱。
- He said to me that he could not come.他对我说他不能来。
- He said to his mother that he would do it by himself.他对他的母亲说他将自己独立做那件事。
- He is such a man.他是这样一个人。
- He spent all his money,he is such a fool.他这样傻，花光了所有的钱。
- He finally agreed, albeit reluctantly, to help us. 尽管勉强，他最后还是同意帮助我们。
- Both sides in the dispute have agreed to go to arbitration . 争执双方已同意提请仲裁。
- I found him at home.我发现他在家。
- The United Nations was found in 1945.联合国于1945年成立。
- Mary threw away the dead flowers.玛丽把枯萎的花扔掉了。
- He was dead asleep.他完全睡着了。
- He resigned as Home Secretary and returned to the back benches. 他辞去了内政大臣的职务，回到后座议员席。
- The painting has been returned to its rightful owner . 这幅画已归还给合法所有权人。
- We're going to listen to a report this afternoon.今天下午我们要去听报告。
- I shall report to you.我将向你汇报。
- Nowadays it is very easy to earn a living.现今谋生很容易。
- I'll never forget that as long as I am living.这事我至死也不会忘记。
- He lit a cigarette and puffed at it furiously. 他点燃了一支香烟，狂吸了几口。
- An army of buyers haggles furiously with an army of salesmen. 一大群买主在和卖主拼命地讨价还价。
- He asked for money and I gave him some.他要钱，我给了他一些。
- I gave you a map so you wouldn't get lost. 我给你一张地图，这样你就不会迷路了。
- The book was old and it was not worth a cent.这本书旧了，一文不值。
- This novel is worth reading. 这部小说值得一读。
- Why would you say that?为什么你会这么说？
- Would you please help me?你能帮帮我吗？
- Be careful. She is very difficult to deal with.可得当心，她很难对付。
- Deal with a man as he deals with you.以其人之道，还治其人之身。
- The students appear very nervous.学生们看起来很紧张。
- When night falls,stars appear.夜晚来到时星星出现。
- I read much less now than I did at school.我现在看书远比我上学时少。
- You can't buy the dress with less than 50 yuan.买这件衣服没有50元钱下不来。
- He brought a new book with him.他带来一本新书。
- I brought you your shirt.我带来了你的衬衣。
- At last they could afford a house.他们终于买得起房子了。
- I'll afford you a chance.我将给你提供一个机会。
- How many goals did you score in the last game?上一场比赛你们进了几个球？
- Why did you choose basketball in the first place?你为何首先选择篮球呢？