An embarrassing experience
It was the small hours of the morning when we reached London Airport. I had cabled Lond trom Amsterdam, and there was a hired car to meet, but there was one more unfortunate happening before I reached my fiat. In all my travels I have never, but for that once, been required by the British customs to open a single bag or to do more than state that I carried no goods liable to duty. I was, of course, my fault; the extreme tiredness and nervous tension of the journey had destroyed my
diplomacy. I was, for whichever reason, so fired that I could hardly stand, and to the question, "have you read this?" I replied with extreme foolishness, "Yes, hundreds of times. "
"And you have nothing to declare?"
"Nothing. "
"How long have you been out of this country?"
"About three months. "
"And during that time you have acquired nothing?"
"Nothing but what is on the list I have given you. "
He seemed momentarily at a loss, but then he attacked. The attack, when it came, was utterly unexpected.
"Where did you get that watch?"
I could have kicked myself. Two days ago, when playing water games with a friend in the bath, I had forgotten to take off my ROLEX OYSTER, and it had, not unnaturally, stopped. I had gone into the market and bought, for twelve shillings and six pence, an ugly time piece that made a strange noise. It had stopped twice, without any reason, during the journey.
I explained, but I had already lost face. I produced my own watch from a pocket, and added that I should be grateful if he would confiscate the replacement.
"It is not a question of confiscation," he said, "there is a fine for failing to declare dutiable goods. And now may I please examine that Rolex?"
It took another quarter of an hour to persuade him that the Rolex was not contraband; then he began to search my luggage.
26. When did the writer arrive at London airport?
[A] In the early morning. [B] Late at night.
[ C] At noon. [ D] Late in the morning.
27. What can we conclude from the questions asked by the customs officer?
[ A] He was just doing his duty by asking the passenger some usual questions.
[ B ] He must have noticed the writer' s ugly watch.
[ C ] He wanted to embarrass the writer.
[ D] He must have noticed the writer's tiredness.
28. What did the writer think of the watch he bought in the market?
[ A] He was fond of the watch because it was a Rolex.
[ B ] He found the watch useful though it was very cheap.
[ C ] He didn't like the watch at all.
[D] He was indifferent to the watch.
29. What must have happened to the writer in the end?
[ A] He must have spent a long time at the customs and must have been let go without any punishment.
[ B ] He must have been given a fine as a punishment.
[ C] His Rolex must have been confiscated.
[ D ]His cheap watch must have been confiscated.
30. What do you think is the tone of the story?
[ A] Humorous. [ B] Sarcastic.
[ C 1 Solemn. [ D ] Matter-of-fact.
参考译文
一次尴尬的经历
当我们到达伦敦机场的时候还是凌晨，我已经从阿姆斯特丹往伦敦过电报了，预租了一辆车等我们，但是在我到达公寓之前又发生了一倒霉的事。在我所有的旅行经历中，英国海关从来没有要求过我打开一个包，而且仅仅需要申明我没有携带需交关税的商品，只有这一次外。当然，这是我的错，旅途的极度疲劳和神经紧张已经使我与人交的能力衰退了。不管出于什么原因，我太累了，累得几乎站不稳。对于关人员提出的问题，“你看过这个吗?”我极度愚蠢地回答：“看过几百了。”
“你没有什么要申报的吗?” “没有。”
“你离开这个国家多久了?” “大概3个月了。”
“在这段时间里你什么也没购置吗?”
“除了我给你的清单上的东西什么也没有。”
他似乎有片刻的疑惑，但是过后他发起进攻了，当进攻发起的时候，完全出乎我的意料的。
“那块手表从哪来的?”
我懊恼极了，两天前和朋友在浴室打水仗的时候，我忘记把我的劳士伊司特表摘下来了，它就很自然地停了，我去一家商店花l2先令6士买了这块丑陋的表，它还发出很奇怪的声音。在旅程中它莫名其妙停了两次。
我解释了但是我已经丢了面子，我从口袋里拿出自己的手表给他，并且补充说如果他没收那件替代品我会很感激。
“这不是没收的问题O”他说，“不申报关税商品要罚款，现在可以把块劳力士给我检查吗?”
我又花了l5分钟说服他这块劳力士不是走私品，然后他开始搜查的行李。
答案及解析
26.A【解析】细节题。文章第一句话说“It was the small hours of themorning when we arrived at London Airport.”，这里的“smallhours”意思是“凌晨”，可知作者是在凌晨到达。故选A。
27.B【解析】推理题。海关官员问作者的表是从哪来的，而且是非常突然地发问，可推测他已经注意到那块表了。故选B。
28.C 【解析】推理题。从作者描述这块手表时所用的语言，如“ugly”“made a strange noise”可以看出作者并不喜欢这块表。
29.B【解析】推理题。从海关官员说“这不是没收的问题，不申报关税要罚款”可见作者最后被罚款。fine有“罚款”的意思。
30.A【解析】推理题。作者在文中用了很多对话，说明语气是轻松的，且从作者叙述的方式可以看出写作手法很幽默。故选A。
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