四、閱讀理解
Tom Canty is a boy who used to live in Pudding Lane, a very poor area of London. Tom's father sent him out to beg (乞討) for money every day. But now he is sitting in the prince's place on soft silk cushions (坐墊) in a royal boat. Princess Elizabeth and Lady Jane Grey are sitting beside him. He cannot believe this is really happening.
When they arrive at the centre of the City of London, they leave the boat and Tom leads the line of nobles (貴族). They walk through the streets to Guildhall. The Mayor of London and other important people are there to welcome them. After a short time, servants arrive with food and drinks, and soon everyone starts eating and drinking.
Young Tom watches everything with interest. There are also musicians and singers who sing and dance with people around.
At the same time, outside the Guildhall, without having anything to eat, the real prince Edward is wearing Tom's dirty old clothes. He wants to go in.
“Let me in. I am Edward—the Prince of Wales,” Edward shouts.
A crowd of people are standing around him, laughing at him.
This makes Edward even more angry. “I tell you, I am the Prince of Wales,” Edward continues. “I am alone and I have no friends to help me but I am the real prince and I am not leaving.”
At that moment, a man comes to Edward and says, “You are not alone. My name is Miles Hendon and I am your friend now.”
The crowd laughs at Miles, too.
“Hey, another prince,” one man shouts, and the others laugh more.
“Let's throw the dirty beggar into the water,” another man shouts.
Miles stands in front of Edward to protect him. He pulls out his sword (劍) but the people move forward.
At that moment a trumpet is sounded and the king's soldiers pass through the crowd. They have a message from the palace. The crowd run away. Miles lifts Edward up and carries him away from danger.
—Taken from The Prince and the Pauper
（ ）1. What is Tom's present life like?
A. Hard. B. Busy. C. Uncomfortable. D. Enjoyable.
（ ）2. How does the writer describe Tom's present life?
A. By telling stories. B. By providing details.
C. By listing reasons. D. By expressing opinions.
（ ）3. What does the underlined part “Hey, another prince” mean?
A. The crowd feels very excited to see another prince.
B. The crowd wants to make fun of Edward and Miles.
C. The crowd offers to help Edward get into Guildhall.
D. The crowd thinks both Edward and Miles are princes.
（ ）4. Which may be the best title for this story?
A. Tom's early life B. Tom's meeting with the prince
C. At the Guildhall D. The prince and the pauper
答案：1. D
解析：Tom現在坐在王子的位置，有美食、音樂，生活“愉快”，enjoyable符合。
2. B
解析：作者通過“soft silk cushions”“food and drinks”“musicians”等細節描述Tom的生活。
3. B
解析： crowd嘲笑Edward是“假王子”，看到Miles幫助他，便嘲諷“又一個王子”，是取笑他們。
4. C
解析：文章主要圍繞在 Guildhall 發生的事情展開，Tom 在 Guildhall 里享受著貴族的待遇，而真正的王子 Edward 在 Guildhall 外被眾人嘲笑、遇到危險等，所以 “At the Guildhall”（在市政廳）作為標題最能概括故事內容，選 C。
