（10湖南）

      D irections: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.

     B ehind our house is the start of a fascinating trail (小径). This trail is one of the old roads that wind through untold miles of forest. My   36  , Beans, and I walk the trail frequently. Normally, Beans sniffs alongside the trail to follow the smell of a deer track or   37   some cause known only to him.

      B eans is a white dog, quite handsome and very   38 . He not only understands what we tell him, but also often makes sounds as if he were trying to   39   back.

      One morning, we took a different route, which led us to an unfamiliar trail. I was sure this trail would eventually lead us to our familiar   40  . But, no. We seemed to be far off course. After two hours, I suddenly realized that Beans probably   41   the way home. So I urged, "Beans, take me home." He ran down a new trail. But it merely led to an intersection (岔道口) of trails.

      Soon it became   42   that we were getting nowhere. I began to picture the rest of the day in the   43  , without food or drink. We had walked about ten miles. But Beans seemed totally   44 . The sniffing and exploring was going well for him.

     Finally, we   45   a crossroad near a highway. Lady Luck suggested I should turn left. We did and   46   reached a cottage beside a field. I knocked on the door and explained my situation to an old man. He laughed and then drove us home.

     Since our adventure, I   47   that Beans probably knew all along how to get home. He was just having too much fan exploring new trails.

36. A. deer                 B. dog                C. lady                D. man                 

37. A. imagine              B. consider            C. explore             D. present             

38, A. smart                B. sweet                C. slow                D. shy                  

39. A. turn                  B. kick                 C. jump               D. speak               

40. A. driveway             B. path               C. crossroad            D. highway           

41. A. knew                B. saw                C. showed              D. made              

42. A, mysterious            B. ridiculous           C. fascinating          D. apparent           

43. A. house               B. forest              C. field               D. cottage             

44. A. unconcerned          B. unconscious          C. undecided           D. uncomfortable  

45. A. left for              B. went off            C. came to             D. drove toward    

46. A. punctually            B. frequently           C. formally             D. shortly             

47. A. regretted             B. remembered         C. concluded           D. confirmed