通讀下面短文，掌握其大意，然后在各題所給的四個選項A、B、C、D中選出一個最佳選項。

It was a fine day. I started to think of getting the bank work out of the way. The bank clerk, an elderly gentleman with a white beard, was, __31__, gave me a nod.

When I put my form in front of him. He was busy filling in other forms. After a few minutes he took my form and started filling in. I sat there wondering __32__ we had computerized banking if we were still filling in forms by hand.

After waiting for a few more minutes, in which I showed all signs of being __33__ , I asked him if my work was done. He said, "__34__ is done, it will take time!"

Just then I saw his morning cup of __35__ which had been lying there for the last ten minutes, untouched. The tea had turned almost __36__ while he was doing his work. Suddenly I felt what this man, who had been working at this counter for the last God-knows-how-many years, __37__ be feeling when customers like me come who are always in a hurry to get their work done. We do not even feel the need to  them for being there. He must be feeling so impatiently that "here comes another person who will __38__ me for doing his work first."

Sincerely, I told him, "Sir, please have your tea, I am not in a hurry." This man, suddenly looked __39__ at me and for the first time we had eye contact—he had __40__ made eye contact before. I saw a different person there, another human being who was under the same __41__ as I always am.

I saw both of us sailing in the same __42__. I felt that he was also missing the small things in life like a hot cup of tea . He gave me a __43__ and said, "It is my daily job, you are not in a hurry but somebody else who will be in a hurry will come."

He really touched my __44__ with his words. I felt that all this time I thought of him as a robot, someone who was there for my convenience, but today I suddenly felt a strange communion with him. I am supposed to be more friendly to people who help me with my work and be __45__ that they are there for me.

31. A. as well            B. so far          C. so that         D. as usual

32. A. why              B. what           C. when          D. where

33. A. nervous           B. impatient        C. sad           D. relaxed

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

35. A. milk              B. coffee          C. tea            D. water

36. A. warm             B. cold           C. hot            D. cool

37. A. must             B. can             C. should         D. may

38. A. pull              B. put             C. push           D. promise

39. A. down             B. up             C. right           D. left

40. A. yet               B. already         C. never           D. ever

41. A. success            B. failure         C. surprise         D. pressure

42. A. boat              B. train           C. bus             D. plane

43. A. gift               B. smile          C. pen             D. paper

44. A. eye               B. ear            C. heart            D. hand

45. A.thankful           B. careful         C. hopeful          D. helpful

In a book called Magnificent Obsession, by Lloyd C. Douglas, a description is given of people helping others but doing it secretly. When difficult problems worried a person, friends nearby would meet to discuss possible solution without the person knowing their actions. When a solution was agreed upon, one or two of the friends would carry out the plan and solve the problem secretly, to the great delight of the worried person. The helpers would stand by privately, content with their success. No reward was given to the problem solvers, not even a sincere “thank you”, because they were never known.
This idea is popular today but in a different way. The phrase “pay it forward” is now used when one person helps another. However, the person helped may not be able to repay the person or group that helped them. So rather than return the favor to their helpers, they are supposed to help someone else in the future, which means they pay it forward. It is a sense of responsibility(責(zé)任) which makes us want to give back in equal measure to the one who has helped us. But, in this case, the responsibility turns to helping someone in the future.
Suppose your elderly grandmother pays part of your schooling. She may tell you there is no need to repay her because it is a gift from someone who loves you very much. Nothing would please her more than to have you use her money to get a good education.
You may never be able to repay her for such a gift. However, she not only gave you some money, but she provided you with an example that you should also help other people who need it.
People with serious needs are everywhere. Many are children who need better clothes, more books and even better schools. Some are elderly people who can’t afford their medicine or a doctor’s care. Consider how you can “pay it forward” rather than pay money back to your grandmother.
【小題1】The helpers in the book “Magnificent Obsession” were not rewarded because ______________.