阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的A、B、C或者D 四个选项中选出最佳选项。

When Columbus returned home with the news of his (1),he was considered as the hero who had given a new world to Spain.(2)had so great respect been shown to any (3)man.

But there were some who were jealous of (嫉妒) the (4). “Who is this Columbus?” they asked, “and (5)has he done? Isn’t he a poor pilot from Italy? And could no t any other seamen sail across the ocean just (6) he has done?”

One day Columbus was at a (7) and several of these fellows were (8). They tried to make Columbus (9). “You have discovered strange lands (10) the sea,” they said. “But we don’t see (11)there should be so buch said about it. Anybody can sail across the ocean; and anybody can coast along the islands on the other side, just as you have done.. It is the (12)thing in the world.”

Columbus made no (13):but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the people at the table “Who(14)you, gentlemen can make the egg stand (15)?”One by one they tried the (16).When the egg had gone entirely around and everyone had (17),all said that it could not be done. Then Columbus took the egg and (18)its small end gently upon the table so as to (19)the shell a little. After that there was no (20)in making it stand (21), “Gentlemen,” said he , “What is easier (22) to do this which you said was (23)?It is the simplest thing in the world.(24)can do it—AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN (25).”

1.A.secret B. discovery C. story D. journey

2.A.Where B. Never C. Nor D. Neither

3.A.common B. great C. respectable D. noble

4.A.inventor B. traveller

C. discoverer D. bravery

5.A.when B. what C. how D. whether

6.A.because B. as C. like D. since

7.A.palace B. hotel C. counter D. dinner

8.A.present B. at present C. kind-hearted D. invited

9.A.happy B. satisfied

C. uncomfortable D. disappointed

10.A.beside B. along C. in D. beyond

11.A.why B. how C. whether D. that

12.A.hardest B. wonderful C. simplest D. strange

13.A.choice B. answer C. noise D. joke

14.A.besides B. among C. including D. except

15.A.by B. still C. weight D. on end

16.A.experiment B. egg C .method D. result

17.A.succeeded B. failed C. experience D. chance

18.A.beat B. felt C. touched D. struck

19.A.protect B. crush C. break D. damage

20.A.trouble B. time C. shell D. gravity

21.A.downward B. upward C. easily D. upright

22.A.as to B. if C. than D. compared

23.A.possible B. impossible C. difficult D. easy

24.A.None B. Anybody C. Somebody D. Nobody

25.A.HOW B.WHEN C.IT D.HIM