阅读表达。
Speaking of what sort of smartness is most desirable in human conduct, a friend of mine has this to say:
Real stnartness must be something that can be practised repeatedly and infinitely. Then, he goes on to relate
this event: In one European country there resided some Lebanese. Upon learning that ambulance rides there
are provided free to patients in emergency cases, they rented an apartment near a hospital. Each time they
wanted to go home, they just pretended to be sick, calling for an ambulance. On arrival at the hospital, they
said now that they felt much better and had no need of any treatment. The next moment saw them leaving,
safe and sound, to their apartment.
Their "being-clever" affords them only short-lived pleasure and joy; it could not he practised repeatedly,
still less infinitely. Such smartness is based on "too clever to be wise". Once seen through, they will lose the
benefits they profited by playing dirty tricks. They will suffer the impairment of their own image and reputation
as well as that of those who are tied with them by blood or by common interests.
When a person has done something to the discredit of one's own image and reputation, it will surely involve
others related to him in one way or another. Among those inflicted most hy what folly (愚蠢) he may have
done are those who, to him, have been close in relations and dear in sentiment.
Additionally, whether one's act is wise or unwise, rather the summit of wisdom, depends on the result of
the act; if _____, then the more often he does it, the better will he be believed. While repeating that act, he is
not only earning himself an admirable image but also contributing to the fine impression and reputation of his
relatives, his friends, his hometown and his motherland.
1. What does the passage mainly discuss? (please answer within 10 words.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Please fill in the blank in the last paragraph with proper words or phrases to complete the sentence. (please
answer within 10 words.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one? People that have ruined their own
images not only hurt themselves but will involve their relatives or friends.
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. How would the telephone operators react to a Lebanese voice calling for an ambulance from then on? (please
answer within 10 words.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Translate the underlined sentence in the last paragraph into Chinese.
______________________________________________________________________________________
