It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel（紀錄片） as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
“Jack, did you hear me?”
“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.
Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce (回憶) about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.
“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.
“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said.
“He’s the one who taught me carpentry. I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important… Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.
Busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before they had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time, which was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture… Jack stopped suddenly.
“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.
“The box is gone,” he said.
“What box?” Mom asked.
“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most’,” Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
“Now, I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said sadly.
Returning to his office the next day, he found a package on his desk. The return address caught his attention.
“Mr. Harold Belser” it read.
Jack tore open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.
“Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, and tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the fine cover, he opened it.
Inside he found these words carved: “Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold Belser.”
“Oh, My God! This is the thing he valued most…”
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his assistant and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” his assistant asked.
“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.
小題1:Why did Jack think Mr. Belser died years ago?
| A．College and career prevented him from remembering Mr. Bleser. |
| B．Jack was too busy with his business and family to think about Mr. Belser. |
| C．Jack was too busy realizing his dreams to think about Mr. Belser. |
| D．His present busy life washed away his childhood memories. |
小題2:Jack’s mother told him on the phone about Mr. Belser EXCEPT that ______.
| A．Mr. Belser often asked how Jack was doing |
| B．Mr. Belser’s funeral would take place on Wednesday |
| C．Mr. Belser had asked for Jack’s mailing address |
| D．Mr. Belser had pleasant memories of their time together |
小題3:Why did Jack say he needed some time to spend with his son?
| A．He was very tired of his work and wanted to have a good rest. |
| B．He had promised to spare more time to stay with his son. |
| C．He had missed his son and his family for days. |
| D．He came to realize the importance of the time with his family. |
小題4:Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
| A．The Good Old Times | B．What He Valued Most |
| C．My lost friend | D．The Lost Childhood Days |
. The businessman smiled at me and said,"Why would I let someone else _47_what I say and what I feel?" 
閱讀快車系列答案
Kate and I were good friends and we were inseparable. We spent every day together and always had a good 36 .
ketball started and we were on the 37 team. After a few games, 38 , Kate got moved up to the Rose Cup full-time. I wouldn't admit it then, but actually I envied（嫉妒） her. Having 39 practice times, we started to see less of each other. Soon I started to hear that she was talking 40 my back.
47 notes. I cried myself to sleep every night, 48 our friendship was over. One night my mom took me to Kate's home. Our moms looked at each other 49 . Kate's mom asked us questions but __50 _ of us responded(反應) .At last I let everything out. The huge burden in my mind was slowly lifted as we each talked about ___51____ we were feeling. It was all out. Suddenly Kate 52 from her seat, crossed the room and hugged me with tears. I will never forget that.
leasure
first year in college，she went 
back to the personnel manager．He said，“You are 44 ，aren’t you? I think I have a 45 for you as a teacher’s assistant．This opportunity deals with children who are mentally challenged with little or no chance of 46 ”Mom accepted the opportunity very 47
rsonnel manager and the principal 49 in her classroom．The principal said．“We have watched how you 50 the children and how they 
communicate with you and admire your hard．working 51 over the last five years．We are all in agreement that you 52 be the teacher of this class．”
on Fleet Street in central London for a small local area？I wanted to know.
n Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. My first job was to drive the oxen（牛） that ploughed the cane fields. I would walk behind an ox, guiding him with a broomstick. For $ 1 a day, I worked eight hours straight, with no food breaks.
owners were always watching us, I had to be on time every day and work as hard as I could. I’ve never been late for any job since. I also learned about being respectful and faithful to the people you work for. More important, I earned my pay; it never entered my mind to say I was sick just because I didn’t want to work.
b. Our family needed every dollar we could make because my father never earned more than $ 18 a week. Our home was a three-room wood shack with a dirty floor and no toilet. Nothin
tick.
re. How could such a good life be rewarded with horrible luck?
I ever need help. I know it’s just a phone call away. 
you have an SOS phone, ________. 
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