WalkingalongalakeinthecoldwinterBirbalandthekingmadeabet（打赌）thatamanwoulddoanythingformoney.

Thekingsaid“Idon’tthinkamanwouldspendanentirenightinthecoldwaterofthislakeformoney.”

Birbalreplied“I’msureIcanfindsuchaperson.”

ThekingaskedBirbaltofindsuchapersonandsaidthathewouldrewardthepersonwithathousandgoldcoins.

Birbalsearchedfarandwideandfinallyfoundapoorman.Whenheenteredthelakethekinghadguardsaroundhimtomakesurethathereallydidaspromised.

Thepoormanmadeit.Hetoldthekingthattherehadbeenastreetlampnearbyandthathehadkepthisattentiononthelampandmanagedtoavoidthecold.Thekingthensaidthattherewouldbenorewardashereliedonthewarmthofthestreetlamp.

ThepoormanwenttoBirbalforhelp.

ThenextdayBirbaldidnotgotocourt（上朝）.ThekingwenttoBirbal’shouseandseewhathewasupto.

HefoundBirbalsittingonthefloornearsomeburningbranchesandabowlfilledwithricehangingfivefeetabovethefire.Thekingandhisfollowerscouldn’thelpbutlaugh.

ThekingthensaidtoBirbal“Howcanthericebecookedifitissofarawayfromthefire?”

Birbalanswered“Thesamewaythepoormanreceivedheatfromastreetlampthatwasmorethantwothousandmetersaway.”

Finallythekinggavethepoormanhisreward.

21.Thepoormanusedthelampto_____________.

A.keephimwarminthecoldwater

B.lighthiswayaroundthelake

C.stophimfrombeingafraidinthedarkness

D.keephisattentionawayfromthecold

22.WhydidBirbalnotgotocourtthenextday?

A.Hewasangrywiththeking. B.Hehadnothadbreakfast.

C.Hewantedtohelpthepoorman. D.Hedidn’tfeelcomfortable.

23.Whatcanweinferfromthepassage?

A.Thepoormandidnotgethisrewardintheend.

B.Birbalwaswiseandkind.　

C.Thestoryhappenedduringawarmspring.

D.Birbalwasnotlikedbytheking.　

24.Whatdoesthewriterwanttotellus?

A.Alwaysbereadytohelpothers.　

B.Kindactionswillreceivemoreinreturn.

C.Honestyisth