Once, a king showed two men a large basket in the garden. He told them to fill it with water from a well. After they __1__ their work, he left them, saying, “When the sun is down, I will come and see your work.”

　　At last one of them said, “What’s the use of doing this foolish work? We can __2__ fill the basket.” __3__ man answered, “That is none of your business.” The first man said. “You may do as you like, but I am not going to work at __4__ so foolish.” He __5__ his bucket and went away. The other man said no word, and kept on carrying __6__. At last the well was almost __7__.

　　As he poured the last bucket of water into the basket, he saw a bright thing in it. He picked it up. It was a beautiful gold ring. Just then the king came. __8__ he saw the ring, he knew that he had found the kind of man he wanted. He told him to keep the ring for himself. “You __9__ so well in this little thing,” he said, “ __10__ now I know I can believe you with many things.”

　　1. A. finished B. did C. began D. had

　　2. A. ever B. never C. easily D. no

　　3. A. The other B. Another C. One D. A second

　　4. A. anything B. something C. nothing D. everything

　　5. A. picked up B. put away C. took away D. threw away

　　6. A. water B. basket C. well D. work

　　7. A. full B. empty C. filled D. clean

　　8. A. While B. As soon as C. Before D. Since

　　9. A. have done B. will do C. do D. are doing

　　10. A. what B. why C. when D. that

　　名师点评

　　本文讲述了一个国王为了考验两个人，让他们往篮子里打水，忠诚的人不遗余力地往空篮子里打水，直到国王归来。结果不仅获得了一枚金戒指，而且得到了国王的信任。