D(2025·江苏宿迁期末)
One day in autumn, Squire Gordon, my master, went on a trip into town. John, my caretaker, went with him. I pulled the cart. The weather was rainy and windy, but we travelled happily.
Mr Gordon's business took a long time. We didn't leave until late afternoon. The wind got much stronger. My master said to John, "I have never been out in such a storm!" Mr Gordon and John could not see well in the rain.
We came to a wooden bridge. It was nearly dark. We could just see that the water was over the middle of the bridge. But as that happened sometimes when the floods were out, my master did not stop. The moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge, I felt sure there was something wrong. I dared(敢于) not go forward, and I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, and he gave me a touch with the whip(鞭子), but I dared not move. He gave me a sharp cut and I jumped, but I dared not go forward.
"There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he got out and tried to lead me forward. "Come on, Beauty." But I knew that the bridge was not safe.
Just then the man on the other side saw us.
"Hey! Halloo! Stop!" he cried.
"What's the matter?" shouted my master.
"The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away. If you go onto it, you'll be into the river."
"Thank you for saving us, Beauty!" said John. He gently turned me onto the road on the right by the riverside. It grew darker and darker, still and stiller.
When we returned home, Mr Gordon told Mrs Gordon, "Black Beauty saved our lives. He knew the bridge was dangerous."
John took me to the stable. Oh! What a good supper he gave me that night! What a nice bed of straw! I was glad of it, for I was tired.
—Adapted from Black Beauty
()37. What was the weather like when Mr Gordon, John and Black Beauty left town for home?
A. The rain came to a stop.
B. There was a heavy storm.
C. It was sunny and windy.
D. The wind was much gentler.
()38. Which of the following is the correct order of the story?
a. The man warned them not to cross the broken bridge.
b. The master touched Black Beauty with the whip.
c. Black Beauty was well rewarded for his decision.
d. Black Beauty refused to obey his master at the bridge.
e. They three came to a wooden bridge.
A. e-b-d-a-c B. b-d-a-e-c
C. e-d-c-a-b D. d-b-e-c-a
()39. Which detail supports the main idea that Black Beauty knew the bridge was dangerous?
A. Mr Gordon and John could not see well in the rain.
B. We could just see that the water was over the middle of the bridge.
C. He gave me a sharp cut and I jumped, but I dared not go forward.
D. He gently turned me onto the road on the right by the riverside.
()40. According to the passage, what is Black Beauty like?
A. Brave and smart.
B. Modest and hard-working.
C. Impolite and fearful.
D. Impatient and unwise.