Rudi turned out to be a very good climber,      21    as they got close to the top, the Englishman got sick

and could go no farther. Franz stayed behind to take care of him, but Saxo continued, wishing to be the  22    to the top. Rudi went after Saxo, hoping to beat him to the top. When they met, Saxo fought with Rudi and fell

down by accident. Saxo was helpless and hurt. Rudi must    23    whether to carry Saxo back down to safety or to continue alone to the top.

He decided Saxo's life was more   24    than his dream and helped him down. During that time, the English

man and Franz    25    the climb, and finally they reached the top. Later, when they returned to the village, they told people that Rudi was the real conqueror (征服者) of the mountain.

(     )16. A. learning   B. playing     C. climbing      D. talking

(     )17. A. try out    B. give up     C. go over      D. work out

(     )18. A. what     B. which      C. whom        D. who

(     )19. A. again     B. too        C. once         D. instead

(     )20. A. after      B. behind     C. before        D. over

(     )21. A. but       B. so         C. or           D. for

(     )22. A. first      B. second      C. third         D. last

(     )23. A. wonder   B. remember   C. ask           D. decide

(     )24. A. important    B. successful     C. popular      D. interesting

(     )25. A. stopped     B. continued     C. enjoyed      D. finished